Press Conferences

Odanaka, Mainichi Shimbun: Please update us on the current status and the outlook in relation to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution on North Korea. Additionally, almost two months have passed since the nuclear test by North Korea. What is the view or assessment of the Japanese Government, or of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), concerning the amount of time it has taken to adopt a resolution?

Foreign Press Secretary Kawamura: Regarding the current state of the consultations on the UNSC’s draft resolution, I understand that a formal meeting of the UNSC is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, March 3, at 12:00 a.m. Japan time, or at 10a.m. New York local time, for consultations on the UNSC’s draft resolution concerning sanctions against North Korea. The relevant countries are currently engaged in final coordination, and the Japanese Government would like to continue to make its utmost efforts toward adoption of a resolution.

As for your second question regarding the two months it has taken so far, the draft resolution has not yet been adopted, and a formal meeting of the UNSC is scheduled for the early hours of tomorrow morning, Japan time, as I have just mentioned. Consultations will be held at the meeting, and the relevant countries are currently engaged in final coordination and discussions. The Japanese Government intends to continue making its utmost efforts toward adoption of a resolution.

Ukai, TV Tokyo: Please explain, if you have the information, the role of MOFA regarding the announcement yesterday by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe concerning organizing a meeting to analyze economic conditions prior to the G7 Summit. Does MOFA consider this event to be part of the G7 Summit? Can you offer any details on the matter?

Mr. Kawamura: I do not currently have any detailed materials regarding MOFA’s involvement, and will respond later if any additions or corrections are required. I believe the meeting will follow what the Prime Minister has explained, and also what Mr. Yoshihide Suga, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, discussed at his press conference yesterday.

Prime Minister Abe is suggesting a meeting of Japanese and foreign experts in economics, finance, and other fields to discuss current trends so as to reflect the results of their discussions in the Summit talks, as the increasingly uncertain conditions in the global economy are one of the major themes of the G7 Ise-Shima Summit. Japan believes it is fundamental to contribute to and to support preparations for the Summit as the country holding the G7 presidency.

MOFA has established a summit preparations secretariat, and is diligently preparing for the G7 Ise-Shima Summit. While these efforts follow the instructions of the Prime Minister’s Office and others, MOFA plans to contribute and cooperate as much as possible so that Summit preparations proceed smoothly in relation to the major themes I mentioned previously.