Press Conferences

Foreign Press Secretary KITAMURA Toshihiro: At the outset, I would like to make an announcement regarding the appointment of a Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD.

Japan welcomes the recent decision made at the Council of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that Mr. MASAKI Yasushi, Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia, will assume the position of Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD.

The OECD is one of the most trusted and authoritative international organizations for Japan, and we expect that Mr. MASAKI will make good use of his experience and work to expand the activities of the OECD.

Japan will continue to strongly support the OECD and will further strengthen and enhance cooperation with the OECD, which is leading the discussion of the international community with its high-quality data and analysis.

Bloomberg, NOHARA: Regarding the recent escalating tensions between Japan and China, several reports say that China will suspend imports of aquatic products from Japan. Could you confirm the facts? Additionally, I understand Director-General KANAI returned yesterday. Could you tell us how the briefing and information sharing were carried out, and also share your views on the current situation? Thank you.

Press Secretary KITAMURA: Regarding the first part of your question, we are aware of the reports that the Government of China informed the Government of Japan that it will suspend imports of Japanese aquatic products.

As for Japanese aquatic products, China announced the resumption of imports on November 5. Following the implementation of the first shipment, we have been engaging in technical exchanges with the Chinese side.

While I would like to refrain from disclosing the details of each exchange, we have not received any such notification as you mentioned from the Government of China.

In any case, regarding China’s import restrictions on Japanese aquatic products, we believe that what is most important is the steady implementation of the “Shared Recognition between Japan and China” announced by the Governments of Japan and China in September last year. We will continue to urge the Chinese side to facilitate exports from Japan, including through the prompt re-registration of export-related facilities currently under application, and will strongly call for the lifting of import restrictions on aquatic products from the remaining 10 prefectures.

Regarding the second part of your question, as already announced by the Chief Cabinet Secretary, the Japan-China director-general-level consultation was held yesterday. The Chinese side explained its position, while the Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau on the Japanese side countered point by point. I would like to refrain from disclosing the details here as they are matters of diplomatic communications, but reports have already been provided properly to relevant parties, including those in key positions.

NHK, SEKIGUCHI: Related to Japan-China relations, China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) criticized Prime Minister TAKAICHI’s response in the Diet regarding a Taiwan contingency at a UN General Assembly meeting, claiming that Japan is not qualified to seek a permanent seat on the Security Council. What are your thoughts on this?

Press Secretary KITAMURA: Japan is committed to actively contributing to the realization of international peace and security as a responsible member of the UN and the international community. Based on this commitment, Japan has served as a non-permanent member of the Security Council 12 times and has worked on various issues facing the international community over the years.

In light of this, in response to the remarks made by China’s Permanent Representative to the UN at a UN General Assembly meeting that you mentioned, Japan exercised its right of reply and appropriately countered those remarks, including the points I just mentioned.

NHK, SEKIGUCHI: On a different matter, I would like to ask about Chosei Coal Mine in Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. At the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting in December 2004, President Roh Moo-hyun of the ROK expressed his hope to confirm the whereabouts and secure the return of the remains of those from the Korean Peninsula who were requisitioned and died during the war, and Prime Minister KOIZUMI Junichiro responded that he would seriously consider what could be done. Do those from the Korean Peninsula who were requisitioned and died during the war include those who died in the accident at Chosei Coal Mine in Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture in February 1942? If not, please provide the reason as well. Thank you.

Press Secretary KITAMURA: I understand that some remains were discovered at Chosei Coal Mine in Yamaguchi Prefecture in August this year.

Regarding this matter, we have been working in coordination with relevant ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, while communicating with the Government of the ROK.

As for your question, as the Government of Japan has stated thus far, the circumstances under which former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula moved from the Korean Peninsula to the mainland at that time are varied, and it is difficult to make a generalization. This equally applies to those from the Korean Peninsula who died in the Chosei Coal Mine accident.

NHK, SEKIGUCHI: Further to your response, has the Government of the ROK offered to cooperate in identifying the remains, including through DNA testing and other methods? Could you please address this as well?

Press Secretary KITAMURA: I would like to reiterate that, regarding the response to the remains discovered at Chosei Coal Mine, we have been maintaining various communications with the Government of the ROK.

As far as I am aware, the ROK issued a press release yesterday, and I understand that a delegation including officials from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety will visit Japan as early as tomorrow. However, beyond that, as these are matters of diplomatic communications, I would like to refrain from disclosing further details.

Bloomberg, NOHARA: I would like to ask a follow-up question. You mentioned earlier that you would refrain from commenting on the report from Director-General KANAI and other diplomatic exchanges as they are diplomatic communications. Are there any plans to dispatch officials at a level higher than Director-General to China to restore calm? Could you share how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to proceed with this issue? Thank you.

Press Secretary KITAMURA: Nothing has been decided at this stage. I would like to refrain from speculating on future responses. However, as we have stated, Japan remains open to holding various dialogues with China.