PRESS CONFERENCE BY SPOKESWOMAN OF PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN

Press Briefing

PRESS CONFERENCE BY SPOKESWOMAN OF PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN

Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's focus on peace development during his address to the General Assembly on Monday was prompted by an emerging "twin" threat to world security, Mikie Kiyoi, spokeswoman for Japan's Foreign Ministry, told a Headquarters press briefing this afternoon.

Ms. Kiyoi, Director of the Foreign Ministry's External Press Division, said that in the post-cold war era, nuclear testing by India and Pakistan was a major threat to the nuclear non-proliferation regime. In addition, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's recent test launch of a missile had directly threatened the security of Japan, as well as the security and stability of North-East Asia.

Prime Minister Obuchi's focus on development had also been important, she said. Without economic and social development, there could be no "safety net" to support levels of prosperity. That was why he had advocated a new development strategy focusing on an "ownership" concept under which developing countries would be responsible for their own development and national reconstruction. In that context, Japan would host the second Tokyo International Conference on African Development, to be held in October.

Ms. Kiyoi said that the Prime Minister had also referred to the necessity of expediting Security Council reform. Member States had been discussing that subject for the last five years, but differences of opinion remained. Japan strongly urged other Member States to reach an accord that would be acceptable to all of them.

Asked if her country had any specific recommendations on Security Council reform, she said Japan proposed that the permanent members should include representatives from Africa, Asia and Latin America, in addition to Japan and Germany. There should also be an appropriate expansion of the non-permanent membership.

* *** *