Press Conferences

Mr. OHTAKA Masato, Press Secretary: I would like to make one announcement. “Building a Peaceful and Better World through Sport and the Olympic Ideal ,” popularly known as the “Olympic Truce Resolution ,” which Japan submitted to the UN General Assembly on December 9, is planned to be adopted.

To go back to its origin, the Olympic Truce Resolution is a UN General Assembly Resolution that has been adopted since the Lillehammer Winter Games in 1994. By custom, it is proposed by the host country in the year before the Games. The aspects in the Olympic Truce Resolution that are specific to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games include the Games concept, contributions to peace, building a partnership through the three Games held in Asia, “Sport for Tomorrow ,” the Host Town Initiative, sustainability, expression of gratitude for support for the Great East Japan Earthquake.

For the adoption by the UN General Assembly, Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games President MORI Yoshiro is planned to provide an explanation regarding the resolution to the UN Member States.

Through the adoption by consensus of the Olympic Truce Resolution by the UN General Assembly, the Government of Japan expects that the resolution will build momentum toward the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games next year, and that the resolution become even more meaningful.

Kyodo News, HARA: In regard to the Olympic Truce Resolution, how many co-sponsoring countries are there this time?

Press Secretary OHTAKA: There are still a few days left until the 9th and the co-sponsoring countries are now being assembled, so I do not know the number yet. However, I imagine it could easily exceed 100 countries. However, coordination is currently ongoing.

TV Asahi, OISHI: In regard to the shooting of Dr. NAKAMURA Tetsu in Afghanistan, can you please tell us what you know about his current condition?

Press Secretary OHTAKA: I am aware of the various reports regarding Dr. NAKAMURA Tetsu. The situation is currently being confirmed through the Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan. On the other hand, based on the reports about the incident, a preparedness and response division headed by the Director-General of the Consular Affairs Bureau has been established in MOFA and a local response headquarters has been established at the Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan, and they are working on gathering further information regarding the impact on Japanese nationals.

Mainichi Shimbun, TADOKORO: I do not know if this is related to the investigation by the response headquarters, but are you considering issuing any safety information or warnings?

Press Secretary OHTAKA: The situation in Afghanistan is of course as has been explained, and warnings have been repeated successively up until now. Dr. NAKAMURA made major achievements in terms of medical care and agricultural support. Nevertheless, I would like to again request that Japanese nationals refrain from traveling to regions for which MOFA has issued travel warnings and evacuation recommendations, regardless of their purpose.

Nishinippon Shimbun, SHIOIRI: I would like to ask about the security situation in Jalalabad where Dr. Nakamura was shot. Is the security situation in eastern Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan particularly severe?

Press Secretary OHTAKA: I believe it differs among the various areas of Afghanistan. Unfortunately, I do not have detailed information right now. If you would like more details, please ask the Consular Affairs Bureau directly.

Asahi Shimbun, TAKESHITA: A report has just come in that Dr. NAKAMURA died. What is your reaction and do you know if this is true?

Press Secretary OHTAKA: As I stated before, the current situation is still being confirmed.