(Provisional Translation)

PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN AT THE ASEAN+3 SUMMIT

Press Conference 5 November 2002

Introduction
Opening Statement by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the Press Conference on the ASEAN+3 Summit Meeting
Question on North Korea
Question on the change of ASEAN's Economic Position
Question on Japan-ASEAN Relations
Question on Discussions at the Bilateral Meeting between Japan and the Union of Myanmar
Question on Japan's Efforts to create FTAs

Ⅰ. Introduction

Cabinet Public Relations Secretary Shigeo Kondo: We shall now start the press conference given by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan. The Prime Minister will first deliver his opening remarks.

Ⅱ. Opening Statement by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the Press Conference on the ASEAN+3 Summit Meeting

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the press. Here in Phnom Penh, a city brimming with energy for economic development, we had the ASEAN+3 (Japan-People's Republic of China-Republic of Korea)Summit Meeting, as well as bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Hun Sen of the Kingdom of Cambodia and other leaders. We were able to have candid exchanges of views on matters related to regional stability, in addition to matters related to regional cooperation, especially in the economic area.

First, on Japan-North Korea relations, I shared with the leaders the fact that at the normalization talks Japan took up the issue of the abductions of Japanese nationals and security issues, including the nuclear issue, as priority items on the agenda. I expressed my determination to continue to negotiate with perseverance with the DPRK and also expressed my hope to lead these efforts to greater regional peace and stability.

Building on this philosophy, I believe that we were able to issue, as a statement of the ASEAN+3 Summit Meeting, a clear message with regard to abandonment of nuclear development plan by North Korea.

In the Japan-China-Republic of Korea Leader's Meeting, in addition to the discussion over the issue of North Korea, I proposed that we build a network of intellectual exchange and research centers as part of Japan-China-Republic of Korea cooperation, taking into view the cooperation with East Asia as a whole, and this received the support of the other leaders.

At the ASEAN+3 Summit Meeting we also exchanged views with regard to efforts to strengthen economic partnership and to strengthen ASEAN economic integration. I proposed that we have learned people consider ways to promote human resource development and the exchange of people and have them submit their report to next year's Summit Meeting. I received overall support from the participating countries on this.

At the Japan-ASEAN Summit Meeting, with regard to the Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership, for which a study has been going on since I broached that idea during my January visit to ASEAN countries, we signed a joint declaration, which spells out our basic policy to accelerate the realization of this initiative.

In addition to that, we officially decided to launch the Japan-ASEAN Exchange Year 2003, starting January of next year. We also decided to hold, on 11-12 December 2003, the Japan-ASEAN Commemorative Summit Meeting.

Turning to bilateral meetings, I had one-on-one meetings with Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia, Prime Minister Chinnawat Thaksin of the Kingdom of Thailand and Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Than Shwe of the Union of Myanmar. Although time was short, I was able to exchange views candidly on the support for human resource development and the building of social institutions in Cambodia, on the necessity for economic partnership with Thailand and support for democratization and economic reform within Myanmar.

Also, in between meetings, I visited and offered my respect to the cenotaphs for Police Superintendent Takada and Mr. Nakata, who lost their lives in the course of peacekeeping operations (PKO). The valuable sacrifice of these two gentlemen will not stand in the way of deepening relations between Japan and Cambodia. Rather, I believe that it has caused a spreading of a sentiment in both of our countries to further capitalize on their sacrifice to build our mutual relations.

Since the day when the Fukuda Doctrine was evinced in Prime Minister Fukuda's speech of 25 years ago, Japan has consistently maintained the policy of placing importance on Asia and on ASEAN. As I indicated in my Singapore Policy Speech in January this year, building on the basic philosophy of "acting together and advancing together," Japan wishes to further promote cooperation and exchanges with the Asian region in all areas including political, economic and cultural.

That is a summary of the thoughts that I had during the meetings here.

Ⅲ. Question on North Korea

Mr. Ishihara, Fuji Television: As you have just mentioned, I understand that among the Summiteers this time, the cooperation to dismantle the nuclear program of the DPRK must have been considered. However, the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK has started referring to the possible reviewing of the extended moratorium of missile launch. How do you respond to this attitude taken by the DPRK? And going forward in the normalization talks, how are you going to tackle the nuclear missile and abduction issues?

Prime Minister Koizumi: At the Fourth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM4) held in September, and also again at the APEC Leaders Meeting in October, we took up this security related issue and the leaders of the participating countries expressed their strong support that we need to work on the DPRK to dismantle their nuclear program and missile program. Also, at the ASEAN+3 Meeting this time, the leaders participating expressed their serious concern regarding the nuclear program on the part of the DPRK because that is a matter of grave concern for the peace and the stability of this region. As such, there has been this common understanding. Today I understand that the DPRK is reported to have made various comments regarding the missile issue. However, for the normalization of relations between Japan and the DPRK, I will continue to ask the DPRK to translate into action, into reality, the principles and the spirit embodied in the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration with good faith. Therefore, I do expect North Korea to observe strictly the principles and the spirit of that Declaration. As such, we would not take seriously the kind of statement that you referred to coming out of the DPRK. In addition, the DPRK, I believe, will not resort to actions that would trample on the principles and the spirit of that Declaration.

Ⅳ. Question on the change of ASEAN's Economic Position

Mr. Brian Calvert, Cambodian Daily: How has ASEAN's economic position changed now that it has signed the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement and the Declaration toward Japan-ASEAN Closer Economic Partnership?

Prime Minister Koizumi: The population in East Asia, ASEAN, Japan, China and the Republic of Korea added together, accounts for about one third of the global population and this region also accounts for approximately 20% of the amount of global trade. This region can indeed become the major driving force for economic development in the world. This being the case, I believe it is all the more necessary to deepen economic exchanges between Japan, China, the Republic of Korea and ASEAN, because I believe that this will contribute not only to the development of this region, but to the development of the entire world. I believe that economic cooperation between China and ASEAN also will be a benefit to China and ASEAN. It will also provide stimulus to Japan as well. Thus, I believe that cooperation amongst these parties will come to expand and deepen in various areas.

With regard to the Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the circumstances in the various countries differ, but beyond those differences I believe that we can cooperate in such areas as trade, economic cooperation, investment and human resource development and exchange of people. I believe that this is the sort of cooperation that can be expanded and must be expanded. I believe that relations between Japan and ASEAN will advance down the road; next year will be the Japan-ASEAN Exchange Year 2003, and during that year various programs in various fields are being planned. We can take advantage of those events to further intensify our exchanges and relations in our mutual benefit.

Ⅴ. Question on Japan-ASEAN Relations

Mr. Haga, Jiji Press: You have just mentioned that the ASEAN-China relationship would be a stimulus to this region. In the economic partnership with ASEAN, such as in terms of Free Trade Agreements (FTA), it seems that Japan is following behind China. Japan has the agriculture issue in opening up its market toward the outside. How are you going to promote this economic partnership going forward?

Prime Minister Koizumi: In my speech at Boao on Hainan Island in April, I said that I would not view China as a threat. At the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks in September I visited New York. In my speech at the Council on Foreign Relations there, I also said that neither the United States nor Japan would view China as a threat. That view has not changed, even today. In the past, some viewed Japan as a threat. China today is aspiring for market economy and democratization. It also is intent on deepening its relations with ASEAN countries. Without an aspiration for the development of market economy, one would never arrive at that sort of mentality. Attaching importance to market economy, China wishes to further intensify interdependence. That is a positive stance that China has been evincing, and I believe that Japan should take it as a stimulus. That is an indication that, in this new age, they also wish to achieve existence and prosperity together.

Japanese people, at least these days, tend to be pessimistic. People tend to think in terms of trying to catch up with China. A few of them believe that China has gone ahead of Japan. Instead of falling into that mentality, I believe we should think in terms of working together, advancing together. Each country has difficulties. Japan also has its own difficulties and constraints. However, we should not think that the Japanese are no longer good, that there is no future for Japan. While we are thinking that, other countries count on Japan's potential and we still hear voices from countries around Japan that they wish to learn from Japan's experience. The leaders of the participating countries candidly expressed their appreciation for the assistance and cooperation that Japan has provided to them over the years. I believe that was an expression of their expectations for Japan, and I believe that Japan's potential is there. So, we have to go ahead with cooperation and also, mutually, I believe that Japan and China should cooperate with ASEAN. We welcome China's cooperation with ASEAN. Furthermore, Japan also wishes to go ahead with our cooperation with ASEAN. We will try to rely on our own capabilities as we cooperate with ASEAN. It is not just Japan and ASEAN. Between the US and the EU there are difficult issues over agriculture. Agriculture is a difficult issue for the US, EU, ASEAN and Japan, and not just economically, it is also a political issue. I believe that we have to understand that between Japan and ASEAN and as for among Japan, China and ASEAN, I believe I can say the same thing. We have to go beyond confrontations, conflicts and frictions and try to further grow cooperative relations.

Ⅵ. Question on Discussions at the Bilateral Meeting between Japan and the Union of Myanmar

Mr. Bernard Krishner, Cambodia Daily: I would like to ask you this. In your discussions this morning with the Burmese, or Myanmar, leader, on the issue of democratization did you request or mention further participation in the government by Aung San Suu Kyi, or a reversion to the election results where her party won most of the votes? What was the response from the Government of Burma?

Prime Minister Koizumi: I had a meeting with Chairman Than Shwe of Myanmar and I also discussed political prisoners, as well as Aung San Suu Kyi. Regarding nation-building in Myanmar, I said that if it is to be successful, further efforts at democratization are required. In response, Chairman Than Shwe said that he wanted to explain the current situation. He explained to me the various efforts the country has made toward democratization. The Government of Myanmar and Aung San Suu Kyi already have had 107 meetings. This is what Chairman Than Shwe said. He said that Aung San Suu Kyi is free to engage in political activity in any part of the country and she is free to travel to any part of the country, and she has been traveling to various parts of the country for political activities. Chairman Than Shwe said that Myanmar is still continuing with its democratization efforts. In response, I said that I hope the democratization efforts in Myanmar will contribute to nation-building and peace-building, because that is what the international community is looking for and we count on further efforts.

Ⅶ. Question on Japan's Efforts to create FTAs

Mr. Yamada, Asahi Shimbun: Earlier you mentioned the positive, forward-looking relationship with China. Then why yesterday was it that when Prime Minister Zhu Rongji was trying to conclude the FTA, you did not take a more aggressive attitude, and did not talk about the outcome of the WTO? If as you say you are "advancing together or acting together," and in fact you are proceeding with Thailand and the Philippines, but then why are you putting China behind? When you choose the FTA partner, what kind of criteria are you using? It seems that the criteria and priorities are entrusted to the bureaucrats. As the Prime Minister, what is your attitude about this?

Prime Minister Koizumi: Between Japan and ASEAN, we are working on the Initiative for Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership, so let's start where we can. We have already concluded an agreement with Singapore and we are now negotiating with Thailand and the Philippines. Rather than aiming immediately at free trade arrangements, I believe it is important to go ahead with the Comprehensive Economic Partnership. It is important to go step-by-step and I do not think that if we tried to move ahead immediately it would be successful, so we have to start where we can. I believe that there is no change in terms of that basic policy and that is important. And that basic policy applies to our relations with China as well. Thank you very much.

Back to Index