Press Conferences

Deputy Press Secretary Ms. Naoko Saiki: Good afternoon. I have several announcements to make before taking questions.

Ms. Saiki: First, on the adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty at the United Nations General Assembly. Japan sincerely welcomes the passing of a resolution to adopt the ATT, Arts Trade Treaty, by an overwhelming majority at the United Nations General Assembly on April 3. At the Final United Nations Conference on the ATT preceding the United Nations General Assembly meeting and held from March 18 to 28, Japan, as Vice-President of the UN Asia-Pacific Group and as a co-author of the 2009 United Nations General Assembly Resolution on the ATT, supported the Conference President, Ambassador Peter Woolcott of Australia, and actively contributed to the success of the negotiation with the aim of concluding an effective international agreement regulating the international transfer of conventional arms with participation from a broad range of countries. Building on this outcome, Japan is committed to continuing to lead international efforts in this field.

Ms. Saiki: Second, on the elections in Kenya. Japan congratulates the Republic of Kenya and its people on the peaceful conduct of the first general election held under the new constitution. Japan highly commends the voting and counting process conducted peacefully in general as well as the finalization of the results through legal process and under the constitution. Japan congratulates President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta and all those elected to office and commends candidate Raila Odinga for accepting the Supreme Court’s decision. Japan expects that, under the new President, the Government of Kenya will make further progress in its political economic and social development by implementing a number of reforms such as decentralization and enhancement of power of the legislative and the judiciary bodies as stipulated in the new constitution. Japan also expects Kenya to strengthen national reconciliation and respect its various international obligations as expressed by the President-elect himself and continue to contribute to the stability of the region. Japan will continue to support these efforts taken by Kenya and will work together to further develop our traditionally friendly and cooperative relationship.

Ms. Saiki: Third, on a visit to Japan by the Secretary of State of the United States. Secretary of State John Kerry will be visiting Japan on April 14 and 15. During his stay, the Secretary will hold a Foreign Ministers’ meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida and will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In fact, the two foreign ministers on the occasion of the Foreign Ministers’ meeting held last February in the United States agreed to continue strengthening the Japan-US alliance at their level. Based on this, it is expected that they will exchange views on a wide range of issues including bilateral relations and regional situation.

Ms. Saiki: Fourth, on a visit to Japan by the President of the United Mexican States. Mr. Enrique Peña Nieto, President of the United Mexican States, and Mrs. Angélica Rivera de Peña will pay an official working visit to Japan from April 7 to 10. During their stay in Japan, the President and Mrs. Rivera will make a State Call on Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will host a Court Luncheon in honor of the President and Mrs. Rivera. Prime Minister Abe will hold a meeting with and host a dinner for the President. The Government of Japan sincerely welcomes the visit of the President and Mrs. Rivera, which will further strengthen friendly relations between Japan and Mexico.

Ms. Saiki: Fifth, on a visit to Japan by Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi. Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, Chairperson of the National League for Democracy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, will visit Japan from April 13 to 19 by the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. This is her first visit to Japan in some 27 years since her previous stay as a researcher of Kyoto University from 1985 to 1986. During her visit, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi will meet with officials of the Government of Japan, including Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida, and she is also scheduled to have a meeting with the Myanmar Community in Japan and give lectures at universities. The visit of Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi is expected to further strengthen friendly ties between Japan and Myanmar, and to serve as an opportunity for a deeper understanding among the Japanese people on Myanmar’s efforts toward democratic reform.

Ms. Saiki: Sixth, on preliminary figures of the 2012 official development assistance. Yesterday, on April 3, the DAC Secretariat of the OECD released preliminary figures for 2012 (calendar year) of its members’ official development assistance provision. Japan’s net ODA disbursements in 2012 totaled approximately 10,494 million US dollars, falling 3.1% from the previous year, and Japan ranked fifth by volume. Japan’s 2012 gross Official Development Assistance disbursements amounted to 18,511 million US dollars, showing a 7.2% decrease compared to 2011. And Japan was in second place for gross ODA in 2012.

With these initial announcements I would be happy to take your questions. I see none. Then, this concludes today’s conference. Thank you.