PRESS CONFERENCE BY JAPAN

25 September 1996

Press Briefing

19960925 FOR INFORMATION OF UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIAT ONLY

In three press conferences held at Headquarters yesterday, the spokesmen for Japan's Prime Minister, Ryutaro Hashimoto, and Foreign Minister, Yukihiko Ikeda, continued to brief correspondents on their activities since the beginning of the General Assembly's general debate.

Hiroshi Hashimoto, Spokesman for the Prime Minister, stressed that the relationship between Japan and the United States in matters related to security was of great importance to both countries. He recalled that last week, in what was referred to as the "two-plus-two meeting", Foreign Minister Ikeda and Defense Minister Hideo Usui had met with United States Secretary of State Warren Christopher and Secretary of Defense William Perry. They had discussed matters related to the bases of the United States in Okinawa as well as defense cooperation between the United States and Japan.

Prime Minister Hashimoto had met yesterday with President William Clinton of the United States, he said. They had discussed the Okinawa matter, the Korean Peninsula issue, Japan-United States trade relations and cooperation vis-a-vis Burundi, among other issues. Mr. Clinton had expressed appreciation for Japan's support for the United States' action in Iraq, and for its support and contributions regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina. They also discussed the need for cooperation in encouraging the European Community's financial contributions to the Korean Energy Development Organization (KEDO).

In response to questions concerning the territorial dispute with the People's Republic of China over the Senkaku/Diuoyu islands, Spokesman Hashimoto said that the Japanese Government considered them an integral part of Japan. Recognizing that China held a different view, he stressed the importance of not allowing the dispute to disrupt relations between the two countries. On the matter of fishing rights in the islands, he added that a Japanese delegation had already visited Taiwan, Province of China, in a private capacity to discuss matters related to the Law of the Sea Convention and a second such dialogue would be held in the near future.

Responding to questions on activities and construction undertaken by a rightist group in the Senkaku/Diuoyu islands called the Japanese Youth Society, Mr. Hashimoto explained that while the Government did not condone the rightist group's activities, it could not restrict their actions because of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.

Turning to the matter of Japan's willingness to become a permanent member of the Security Council, Mr. Hashimoto said that reform of the Council

was of prime importance and Japan was ready to assume its responsibilities in that regard if it would become a permanent member of that body.

Responding to a question about Japan's technological and financial assistance in the implementation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), Mr. Hashimoto said that Japan would encourage those countries with reservations about the Treaty to sign it. Japan was already extending technical assistance to developing countries in monitoring earthquakes. It was premature to discuss financial support regarding those matters in concrete terms, he added.

In reply to a question about Japan's position in the debate over a second term for Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Mr. Hashimoto stated that Japan had established a good working relationship with the Secretary- General, but also understood the United States' opposition to a second term. Japan would wait for the Security Council to begin its debate on the matter before making a decision. Until then, Japan would participate in the exchange of views and continue to gather information.

The Japanese Foreign Minister's Spokesman, Hidehiko Hamada, reviewing the activities of Mr. Ikeda, said that in a meeting on Monday, 23 September with Viet Nam's Foreign Minister, Nguyen Manh Cam, the Japanese Minister had stated that he wanted to further cooperation between the two countries, including transfer of technology and increasing the number of Vietnamese studying in Japan. Mr. Nguyen Manh Cam promised to consider Japan's wish to become a permanent member of the Security Council.

The Spokesman added that on Monday, Mr. Ikeda had also hosted a dinner attended by 41 African countries.

Yesterday, Mr. Ikeda had met with Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, the Spokesman said. They agreed that cooperative regional bodies played a very important role in the establishment of regional confidence, he added. The Japanese Foreign Minister had also met with Bosnia's Foreign Minister, Jadranko Prlic, and Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey. He had also met with Ambassadors Istvan Nathon from Hungary, Karel Kovanda from the Czech Republic, and Peter Tomka from Slovakia.

The Spokesman said Japan wanted to broaden its relations with eastern and central European countries in various areas. It also intended to continue its assistance in their processes of democratization and economic reform. Those countries had expressed support for Japan's willingness to become a permanent member of the Security Council, as well as support for its candidature to a non-permanent seat in the elections to be held later this year. All those countries expressed hope to increase their dialogue with Japan.

Japan Press Conference - 3 - 25 September 1996

Mr. Ikeda had also met with Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jacques F. Poos, the Spokesman said. Both sides agreed on the necessity for reform in the United Nations that would lead to a balance in dealing with matters related to peace and security, finance and development. Mr. Poos promised to consider Japan's wish to become a permanent member of the Security Council.

The Spokesman said that Mr. Ikeda had also met with his counterpart from the Philippines, Domingo Siazon, Jr. They agreed on the need for reform at the United Nations. Mr. Siazon expressed his support for the Japanese candidature to the Council, and Japan welcomed the peace agreement reached in early September in that country between the Government and the Moro National Liberation Front. Later, Japan and the Russian Federation, in a meeting between Mr. Ikeda and the Russian Foreign Minister, Yevgeny M. Primakov, agreed to commence framework negotiations for fishing, the Spokesman added.

Mr. Ikeda then met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, he continued. They discussed several issues of concern to both countries, including those related to chemical weapons, the Japan-United States security arrangement, and the Senkaku/Diuoyu islands. Mr. Qichen stated that the Japanese Government should have taken action earlier to prevent the rightist group's activities on the islands.

In addition, the Spokesman continued, Mr. Ikeda said that the Japan- United States security arrangement was not targeted at any particular country. The agreement did not imply expansion, and basic structures had not been altered. The two countries had confirmed a mutual wish that any disputes would not effect their relations, and expressed the intention of making further efforts in that regard. They expressed the hope that their productive ties would continue despite the complexity of the issues involved.

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