Top > Announcement > Press Conference by the Press Secretary of MOFA > 7 February 2013

Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 7 February 2013

  1. Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development
  2. Additional measures following the missile launch by North Korea last December
  3. Telephone talks between Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida and the Secretary of State of the United States
  4. Workshop on Countering Radicalization
  5. Suicide attacks in Iraq
  6. Sixth International MANGA Award
  7. Question concerning the Workshop on Countering Radicalization
  8. Follow-up questions concerning the Workshop on Countering Radicalization
  9. Question concerning telephone talks between Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida and the Secretary of State of the United States

1. Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development

Deputy Press Secretary Ms. Naoko Saiki: Good afternoon. Let me start by touching upon several issues before taking your questions.

Ms. Saiki: First, on a Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development. Japan will co-host the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) with Palestine in Tokyo on February 13 and 14 as a part of efforts toward achieving Middle East peace. The main objectives of the conference are to support Palestinian efforts for state building by sharing East Asian countries’ experience in economic development and expertise in assistance to Palestinians, and discussing effective ways of cooperation, so as to promote the Middle East peace process and regional stability.

2. Additional measures following the missile launch by North Korea last December

Ms. Saiki: Second, on additional measures following the missile launch by North Korea last December. As of February 6, Japan imposed an additional asset freeze on six organizations and four individuals linked to North Korean nuclear-related, other weapons of mass destruction-related, and ballistic missile-related programs, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2087 of January 22. In fact, this UNSC resolution condemned, as a firm message of the international community, the launch of the missile by North Korea on December 12 last year, and decided on measures to strengthen sanctions. Japan strongly urges North Korea to heed the firm message of the international community seriously, and comply faithfully and fully with this and the other relevant Security Council resolutions, and not to conduct any further provocative acts, including further launches and nuclear tests. We are resolved to continue to make active efforts in close coordination with the international community for the comprehensive resolution of outstanding issues of concern regarding North Korea, including abductions, nuclear, and missile issues.

3. Telephone talks between Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida and the Secretary of State of the United States

Ms. Saiki: Third, on telephone talks between Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida and the Secretary of State of the United States. On February 3, Minister Kishida held telephone talks with Secretary of State John F. Kerry of the United States, who has just recently assumed his post. The two ministers shared the view that they will meet directly at an early opportunity and continue to cooperate on a wide range of issues. Minister Kishida stated that the Japan-US Alliance is the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and that under the increasingly severe security environment in the region, he wanted to further strengthen the alliance. Secretary Kerry concurred and expressed gratitude for the role that Japan has been playing in addressing regional and global issues.

4. Workshop on Countering Radicalization

Ms. Saiki: Fourth, on a workshop on countering radicalization. On February 4 and 5, Japan and Malaysia co-hosted a workshop on countering radicalization in Tokyo. The workshop brought together officials involved in counterterrorism efforts from ASEAN member states and other ASEAN Regional Forum member states to reflect upon common challenges in countering radicalization. For Japan, Ambassador in charge of International Cooperation for Countering Terrorism and International Organized Crime and Ambassador in charge of Cyber Policy Osamu Imai attended the workshop. The workshop addressed counter-radicalization issues which attract broad attention in connection with counterterrorism efforts. Participants shared the knowledge and lessons learned from each country, thereby promoting efforts by the international community to counter terrorism.

5. Suicide attacks in Iraq

Ms. Saiki: Fifth, on suicide attacks in Iraq. Japan has been greatly shocked and is indignant at suicide attacks in Kirkuk Province, north of Iraq, and in the city of Taji, north of Bagdad, on February 3 and 4 respectively, which caused many deaths and injuries. Japan expresses its deepest condolences for those who have been killed in the attacks and their bereaved families. Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason, and Japan condemns these atrocious acts of terrorism that indiscriminately targeted innocent people. Japan will continue proactively support efforts by the Iraqi Government and its people for the stabilization of the security situation and the reconstruction of its economy.

6. Sixth International MANGA Award

Ms. Saiki: Sixth, on the Sixth International MANGA Award. The International MANGA Award was established in 2007 to honor manga artists who have contributed to the promotion of manga overseas. This year, 245 entries from 38 countries and regions were made. The executive committee of this award, chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Fumio Kishida, has chosen 15 works as winners, including a Gold Award work and three Silver Award works. On February 8, this Friday, the ceremony will be held in Tokyo to grant the Gold and Silver Awards to the artists.

With these initial announcements, I will be happy to take your questions.

7. Question concerning the Workshop on Countering Radicalization

Q: On the workshop held in Tokyo on February 4 and 5, co-hosted by Japan and Malaysia, is this a regularly held workshop?

Ms. Saiki: Thank you for the question. This is not a regularly-scheduled workshop. However, given the importance of cooperation among countries concerned in the field of counter-terrorism, it is the policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organize a meeting on terrorism such as this - conferences, symposia, workshops, etc. – at least once a year. Since Japan and Malaysia are currently the co-lead in the area of counter-radicalization in the ASEAN Regional Forum, we decided to hold the workshop within that framework, aiming at enhancing coordination and cooperation on counter-terrorism among the member states. In short, it is not that Japan and Malaysia host a workshop of this kind annually, but Japan takes the initiative in organizing international events on counter-terrorism every year.

8. Follow-up questions concerning the Workshop on Countering Radicalization

Q: So have Japan and other countries co-hosted conference on anti-extremist in the past?

Ms. Saiki: I guess there have been no conferences limiting the agenda to anti-extremist. Rather, as this year was with Malaysia, Japan has hosted a variety of conferences on terrorism in good coordination with other countries taking account of topics of the day. 

Q: Will you tell us the participant from the Malaysian side?

Ms. Saiki: The Deputy Director General of ASEAN-Malaysia National Secretariat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs co-chaired the workshop.

9. Question concerning telephone talks between Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida and the Secretary of State of the United States

Q: Regarding the telephone talks between Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida and Secretary of State Kerry held on February 3, following the incident of a Chinese warship locking its weapon-targeting radar on a Japanese vessel, are there any plans to hold another teleconference between Minister Kishida and Secretary Kerry?

Ms. Saiki: At this point, I am not aware of any specific plans to hold a teleconference.

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