Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 30 June 2011

Speech by State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Chiaki Takahashi to the African Union (AU)
The Report of the Reconstruction Design Council
Priority Areas for Japan's ODA for FY 2011
Statements by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the Inscription on the World Heritage List of the Ogasawara Islands and Hiraizumi
Acceptance of a Medical Assistance Team from the Philippines
Officers Meeting on the Economic Diplomacy for Reconstruction (Asia Pacific Region)
Visit of 315 Chinese Youth to Japan
JSPS Summer Program
JET Memorial Invitation Program for U.S. High School Students
APEC Workshop on Private Sector Emergency Preparedness in Sendai
Symposium hosted by Japan and the UN World Tourism Organization in Sendai
Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the Election of the Next Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization
Visit by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Kikuta to Myanmar
Overseas visits by Japanese Ministers
Question concerning the Japanese assistance to Myanmar
Questions concerning the new multiple entry visa for Chinese tourists to Okinawa
Question concerning Foreign Minister Matsumoto's visit to China
Question concerning the Officers Meeting on the Economic Diplomacy for Reconstruction (Asia Pacific Region)

Speech by State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Chiaki Takahashi to the African Union (AU)

Deputy Press Secretary Hidenobu Sobashima: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Welcome.

Mr. Sobashima: Today we have distributed a number of papers stapled. We have also distributed separately the tentative translation of the Report of the Reconstruction Design Council. First I would like to explain the speech by Mr. Chiaki Takahashi, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan on the occasion of the 19th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union on 26 June.

As a participant from outside Africa, he was exceptionally invited to speak in the Council. Normally only AU members speak. So we have distributed the text. State Secretary Takahashi expressed appreciation to African countries for the sympathy and support extended to Japan in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake. He also expressed the determination of Japan to continue to support Africa. I will refrain from explaining the details of his speech, but I would just like to highlight three pillars of Japan's policy for Africa.

On the second page, we have a section with the heading of "Contributing to Peace and Stability". Secondly, the heading is "Expanding Development Assistance, Trade and Investment". On the next page, we have the third heading, that is, "Addressing Global Issues". So these are the three pillars of Japan's policy for Africa.

The Report of the Reconstruction Design Council

Mr. Sobashima: Next I would like to turn to the report of the Reconstruction Design Council. We have distributed the tentative translation.

Prime Minister Kan requested Mr. Iokibe and other members of the Reconstruction Design Council to consider and submit a report to advise the Government on the ways and means to reconstruct the affected areas and Japan. A Cabinet decision was made to this effect on 11 April, and on 14 April, the specific wording for the request for the report was formulated. As you know, last Saturday, on 25 June, the Council submitted this report to the Prime Minister. We have distributed the tentative, provisional, and unofficial translation.

On the second page, we have the seven principles for the reconstruction framework. Principle one includes the sentence "We shall have the disaster scientifically analyzed by a broad range of scholars to draw lessons that will be shared with the world". Principle 5 is on the reconstruction of the affected areas and the economic restoration of Japan and Principle 6 is on the resolution of nuclear accidents, among others.

If you have a look at the table of contents, chapter one is entitled, "A New Concept for Rebuilding the Region". Chapter two is "Restore Life and Livelihood". Chapter three is "Work toward Reconstruction after the Nuclear Incident". And chapter four is "Open Reconstruction". The third point of this chapter is "Reconstruction Open to the World". I would like to explain this. Please turn to page 39, where you have this section, "Reconstruction Open to the World".

From the fourth line toward the end it says, "The disaster wrought great damage on international supply chains and once again raised awareness among people within and outside of Japan of the deep linkages between Japan and the world. In light of this, Japan must strengthen kizuna (or bonds of friendship), with the international community and aim for reconstruction not inward looking but open to the international community".

And then we have paragraph one, "Promoting understanding of Japan's revival within and outside Japan". Toward the end of this page it says, "While seeking the early resolution of the nuclear accident, efforts should be made to prevent the spread of harmful rumors through the dissemination of accurate information, including the disclosure of primary data based on scientific evidence, and the continued disclosure of information. With regard to progress in the recovery and reconstruction process, and the safety of Japanese products and travel to Japan, there is a need to be even more active and detailed in disseminating accurate information in a speedy manner to other countries". And this paragraph refers to the restoration of the Japan brand and the promotion of exchanges between the affected areas and other countries in such fields as youth exchanges and economic activities. It also refers to the support to foreign students.

In the next section, with the heading, "Economic revitalization open to the world", it refers to the importance of promoting foreign direct investment and the importance of promoting the inflow of foreign nationals who can contribute to the revitalization of Japan. I will read the final subparagraph of this paragraph two, "At the same time, markets for Japanese products must be sought not only within Japan but also across Asia and the world. Japan should make its efforts to ensure a level playing field in the world for Japanese enterprises and Japanese products through the continued promotion of the free trade system, as well as seek to generate employment and develop the economy in disaster affected areas through the expansion of overseas sales routes for products from the affected areas".

Thus the report of the Reconstruction Design Council refers to the importance of reconstruction open to the world.

As you know, the following Tuesday, 28 June, the Headquarters for Reconstruction had its first meeting after the submission of the report, with the participation of the Prime Minister and other relevant ministers. The members of the Headquarters confirmed the Government's intention to respect this report and work out the specific policies of the Government to be implemented for Reconstruction.

Priority Areas for Japan's ODA for FY 2011

Mr. Sobashima: Next I would like to explain the priority areas for Japan's ODA for fiscal year 2011, decided last Monday. We do not have written material in English, so I will make an oral presentation.

Last Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided on the priority areas for Japan's ODA for fiscal year 2011, with three main pillars. The first pillar is direct contribution to the reconstruction of disaster affected areas as well as disaster prevention and mitigation in coordination with actors of development assistance. This is the first priority area.

The second pillar or priority area is development assistance which will also contribute to Japan's economic growth, thus contributing to the economic recovery and reconstruction of Japan.

The third pillar is honoring the existing commitments of Japan and also assuming responsibility in the international community.

So the first priority area is contributions to affected areas. We will consider various possibilities such as the utilization of products from the affected areas, among other things.

The second point is that ODA should contribute to Japan's economic growth. This, of course, includes the exportation of infrastructure, as we have been considering within our policy of economic diplomacy, among other things.

As for honoring existing commitments, the existing commitments includes those for Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), commitments to support Africa, commitments to Afghanistan and Pakistan, commitments to support the Mekong region, and also commitments of support to contributing to the fight against climate change, among others.

As part of our responsibility to the international community, we consider such things as support to the reforms in the Middle East and North Africa. The support may be extended also to conflict prevention, post-conflict development, peace building, and disaster prevention and mitigation, among others.

For your information, we envisage for this fiscal year that more than 60% of total ODA may be going to Asian countries, and that around 15% may be going to Africa. These are just provisional estimates.

This is about ODA.

Statements by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the Inscription on the World Heritage List of the Ogasawara Islands and Hiraizumi

Mr. Sobashima: I would like to go back to the documents. We have a statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the inscription on the World Heritage List of the Ogasawara Islands and also that on Hiraizumi, that is temples, gardens and archaeological sites representing the Buddhist Pure Land. So there were two decisions recently made by the World Heritage Committee, and we welcome them. Certainly the inscription of Hiraizumi of Iwate Prefecture on the World Heritage List should contribute to the reconstruction of the affected areas.

Acceptance of a Medical Assistance Team from the Philippines

Mr. Sobashima: Then we have distributed a paper entitled, "Acceptance of a Medical Assistance Team from the Philippines".

A medical assistance team of three medical doctors from the Philippines arrived in Japan two days ago, Tuesday, 28 June. They are expected to do support activities together with Japanese medical doctors and clinical psychologists. They plan to engage in mobile medical assistance operations focusing on psychological counseling, among others, for disaster victims including families of Filipino nationals. They plan to conduct activities from the northern part of Iwate Prefecture to the northern part of Miyagi Prefecture, including Ofunato City and Rikuzen-Takata City.

Just for your information, around 900 Filipinos are residents in Iwate Prefecture, and almost the same number, around 900 Filipinos, are residing in Miyagi Prefecture. The psychological counseling from Filipino doctors certainly will be helpful for those people. The government of Japan appreciates the cooperation extended from the Philippines, including this latest support.

Officers Meeting on the Economic Diplomacy for Reconstruction (Asia Pacific Region)

Mr. Sobashima: Next we have distributed a paper entitled, "Officers Meeting on the Economic Diplomacy for Reconstruction (Asia Pacific Region)".

Today we are having a meeting of the officers of economic diplomacy for reconstruction with the participation of officials representing our embassies in the Asia-Pacific region and also with the participation of representatives not only of our ministry but also the Cabinet Office; the Ministry of Finance (MOF); the National Tax Agency; the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF); the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW); the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism (MLIT); the Japan Tourism Agency; the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT); the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI); and JETRO.

As we have seen in the Report of the Reconstruction Design Council, the reconstruction open to the world is one of the main themes for our reconstruction efforts. So for the purpose of promoting the economic diplomacy which contributes to open reconstruction, this meeting will discuss the relevant issues to work out strategies in cooperation with the related ministries, agencies and institutions which I mentioned, by providing information related to import regulations and travel restrictions, and considering possible initiatives for recovery and reconstruction. Certainly the discussion is intended to contribute to future initiatives.

Visit of 315 Chinese Youth to Japan

Mr. Sobashima: Again, an oral presentation, on a visit of 315 Chinese youth. From yesterday, 29 June, until 6 July, a delegation from China consisting of 315 young people is visiting Japan. The delegation includes 70 young leaders, 35 businessmen, 35 journalists, 35 people related to environmental protection, 35 people engaged in film-making and TV, 35 people related to tourism, 35 related to education, and 35 related to judiciary. So in total 315. The delegation will have activities first in Tokyo, and then according to each group, they will have separate individual activities in Fukui, Aichi, Hyogo, Niigata, Yamagata Kyoto, Osaka and Nagano Prefectures. This is part of what we call the JENESYS program. We hope that the visit by the Chinese young people will contribute to the further deepening of understanding between the two countries.

JSPS Summer Program

Mr. Sobashima: We have distributed a paper entitled, "JSPS Summer Program". JSPS means Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. They have a summer program for young pre- and post-doctoral researchers from North America and Europe. The participants are expected to learn Japanese culture and Japanese research systems in the two months program.

The participants are already in Japan to participate in the program from 14 June to 24 August, coming from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Canada. On the third page there is the schedule, and on the fourth page is a list of nominating authorities of those five countries. For your information, from the United States, 64 researchers are participating in this program. From the United Kingdom, 9 participants; from France, 11; from Germany, 9; and from Canada, 6. So in total, 99 researchers are participating, almost 100 these foreign researchers are visiting Japan. Despite the harmful rumors about Japan, about 100 researchers from North America and Europe, as well as 315 Chinese youth, among other foreigners, are conducting their activities in Japan.

JET Memorial Invitation Program for U.S. High School Students

Mr. Sobashima: Then on the paper entitled "JET Memorial Invitation Program for U.S. High School Students".

In commemoration of the 2 US JET participants who perished in the Great East Japan Earthquake, we have decided to carry out this program, the JET Memorial Invitation Program, for US high school students for five years from this year. For the first year, this year, from 19 to 28 July, 32 high school students will be coming. The American high school students are expected to deepen their knowledge of Japanese language and culture, and expected to bridge Japan and the United States in the future. They are scheduled to visit the Tohoku region as well.

APEC Workshop on Private Sector Emergency Preparedness in Sendai

Mr. Sobashima: Then we have a paper entitled, "APEC Workshop on Private Sector Emergency Preparedness in Sendai".

The "APEC Workshop on Private Sector Emergency Preparedness" will be held in Sendai, Japan from 1 August to 3 August, 2011. This is part of a joint project to be conducted by Japan and the United States. This will be the first international conference that the Government will host in the affected areas after this Great East Japan Earthquake.

Symposium hosted by Japan and the UN World Tourism Organization in Sendai

Mr. Sobashima: Although we don't have a paper in English, we decided to host, together with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), a meeting also in Sendai.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Japanese Tourism Agency, and the United Nations, specifically the UNWTO, will jointly host a symposium to promote tourism in Sendai on 5 October.

Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the Election of the Next Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization

Mr. Sobashima: The next paper is the Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the Election of the Next Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization. On 28 June (local time), that is last Tuesday, the IMO Council Meeting held in London elected Mr. Koji Sekimizu as the next Secretary-General of the IMO, and certainly Japan welcomes this, as Japan had been supporting him as a candidate for the next[[-General of the organization.

Visit by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Kikuta to Myanmar

Mr. Sobashima: Sorry again for an oral presentation. Ms. Makiko Kikuta, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited Myanmar. She visited the country from Monday, 27 June, to Wednesday, 29 June, that is yesterday. In Myanmar, she had a meeting with the Foreign Minister, Deputy Foreign Minister, and Minister for National Planning and Economic Development, and the Deputy Speaker of the Lower House and the General Secretary of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the ruling party. That was on Tuesday, 28 June. Yesterday on 29 June, she met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

In the meeting with Myanmar Government officials including the Foreign Minister, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kikuta welcomed that Myanmar had conducted a general election and made transition from the military government to a civilian government, and that the Government released Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, followed by the release of other political prisoners in May. Japan appreciates this as a step forward for the democratization and national reconciliation of Myanmar, even if it is not necessarily sufficient. Japan hopes that the Myanmar Government will engage in a dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (NLD) headed by her and release more political prisoners. Thus she requested the Myanmar authorities to do these.

On the understanding that the Myanmar Government will take positive actions on these, she said that she would like to make her own visit to Myanmar a new page in the history of the two countries. She also said that she paid attention to the fact that in the inaugural address, President Thein Sein said he intended to build a free, fair and developed democracy, would seek cooperation for democracy including from the opposition parties, and would like to promote a market economy. She said she paid attention to these remarks, and that Japan will support the efforts of the Myanmar Government to these ends.

As for the words of condolences and sympathy, and also donations from the Myanmar Government to Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake, she extended her deep appreciation.

To all these, the Myanmar Foreign Minister and other officials of the Myanmar Government responded generally speaking as follows: They referred to the long history between Japan and Myanmar. They expressed their intention to invigorate the operations of the parliament and to make efforts for nation building in cooperation with the people from all walks of life in Myanmar. They noted that on both sides, on the Japanese side and the Myanmar side, there is the intention to develop the cooperation with each other. This is basically how the Myanmar side responded.

In these conversations, the two sides also exchanged views for the purpose of further developing the bilateral relationship in the following four areas: personal exchanges, ODA, economic relationship, and cultural exchanges.

As for ODA, Japan has decided to consider, while paying good attention to the progress to be made for democratization and the human rights situation in Myanmar, the possibility of ODA projects, particularly in the basic human needs area, on a case-by-case basis. So this is what we decided and conveyed to the Myanmar side.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kikuta also referred to the incident which resulted in the death of Mr. Kenji Nagai, a Japanese national, and requested cooperation on its investigation. The Myanmar Foreign Minister responded positively that they are continuing the investigation.

In the meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kikuta exchanged views on the situation and progress toward democratization in Myanmar, among others. Ms. Kikuta expressed appreciation for the support extended by Ms. Suu Kyi to Japan after the earthquake and tsunami, and she explained Japan's view on Myanmar and Japan's policy on assistance to Myanmar. Ms. Suu Kyi said that she hoped that Japan would remain strong by achieving the reconstruction, and as for the assistance to Myanmar she suggested not only the perspective of support to democratization but perhaps also the perspective of support for the peace and stability in the region might be advisable. Ms. Suu Kyi requested also emphasized the importance of the transparency and firm responsibility on the part of the donor. As for the democratization of Myanmar Ms. Suu Kyi mentioned that not only the release of political prisoners but also the perspective of the rule of law is important.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kikuta also had a meeting with leaders of the National Democratic Force (NDF), the opposition party, among other schedules she had in Myanmar.

This has been rather a long presentation, but I did it as I thought it important.

Overseas visits by Japanese Ministers

Mr. Sobashima: And finally, we have distributed the paper, "Foreign Minister Matsumoto to Attend the Mercosur Summit and Make a Visit to Brazil". From last Tuesday, 28 June, until next Saturday, 2 July, Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeaki Matsumoto will be visiting South America -- first, Asunción Paraguay, to attend the Mercosur Summit, and also later to make a visit to Brazil. At the Mercosur Summit, Foreign Minister Matsumoto is planning to deliver a speech aimed at further strengthening the relationship between Japan and Mercosur in the future, and is also planning to exchange views with the other foreign dignitaries attending this summit. In Brazil, Foreign Minister Matsumoto is planning to hold a Japan-Brazil Foreign Ministers' Meeting, attend a signing ceremony for economic cooperation projects, and hold talks with representatives of the Japanese community in Brazil.

This will be the first-ever official visit to Paraguay by a Japanese Foreign Minister, as well as the first official visit to Brazil since the visit in August 2007 of the then Foreign Minister Aso.

As you know, Foreign Minister Matsumoto already visited Europe and Africa. He visited Paris on the occasion of the G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, he attended a Special ASEAN-Japan Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta, he visited Washington, he visited Germany, he visited Senegal to co-host the TICAD ministerial follow-up meeting, he visited Brussels, and he visited Budapest to attend the ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting. He now is visiting South America.

Also, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yamahana will be visiting Peru, France, and Switzerland from today, 30 June, until 6 July. In Peru and France he plans to exchange views with the Government officials there, and in Geneva, Switzerland, he will attend the meetings on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and also the ECOSOC meeting to be held in Geneva. Thank you very much for your patience, now I invite your questions.

Question concerning the Japanese assistance to Myanmar

Q: In relation to Japan's possible offer of ODA to Myanmar, do you have an amount?

Mr. Sobashima: A planned amount? No. We have just decided, following the conversations with the Myanmar side that we will consider expanding the scope of assistance to Myanmar, on condition that progress is satisfactory. So this is the proposal to be worked out on case-by-case basis and implemented later. So Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kikuta informed the Myanmar side of our intention to relax, or further expand assistance, centering on the basic human needs area. Earlier we were in principle withholding new commitments except for humanitarian reasons. So we are now considering expansion of the scope, but still conditioned, and in limited areas. But again, as I said, we will consider on a case-by-case basis. We don't have the package to offer to the Myanmar side. We would consider specific requests for ODA on a case-by-case basis.

Questions concerning the new multiple entry visa for Chinese tourists to Okinawa

Q: Regarding relaxing the visa for Chinese tourists to Okinawa, I think several weeks ago the Chief Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Edano, announced that he is ready to welcome Chinese tourists in Okinawa. What is the status? Is it official announced?

Mr. Sobashima: Yes, we officially announced that we would introduce the new visa, the multiple entry visa for Chinese people who have economic capacity enough to travel, if those Chinese people are traveling to Okinawa among other places in Japan. We will issue, of course after examination, a multiple entry visa.

Q: Has it already started?

Mr. Sobashima: From tomorrow, 1 July.

Question concerning Foreign Minister Matsumoto's visit to China

Q: I know that it is not officially announced, but Foreign Minister Matsumoto may visit China. Is this going to be discussed, and what is the future progress on this issue? It is going to be implanted tomorrow, right?

Mr. Sobashima: We will implement the new visa system for Chinese from tomorrow. I don't have the details with me now. Perhaps I could give you the detailed information later. As for Foreign Minister Matsumoto's visit to China, first, it is being arranged. As soon as the arrangements are confirmed we will make an announcement, but at this stage we are not ready yet. Secondly, the agenda for the possible discussion between the Chinese and the Japanese Ministers, I would like to refrain from predicting, but certainly we intend to promote the expansion of the visits between the two countries.

Question concerning the Officers Meeting on the Economic Diplomacy for Reconstruction (Asia Pacific Region)

Q: The Meeting on the Economic Diplomacy for Reconstruction on Thursday 30 June, is this meeting basically to decide the objectives of the reconstruction?

Mr. Sobashima: Yes, maybe. As I said, from the Asia Pacific region officials from our embassies abroad, for example, in China, the Republic of Korea, ASEAN countries, and Australia, they have come back to Japan and we will have a meeting, discussions, together with the other ministries of the Government of Japan, for the purpose of promotion of open reconstruction as advised in the Reconstruction Design Council.

If you have no further questions, thank you very much for coming.

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