1. Foreign Minister Nakasone's Diet speech highlights
2. Foreign Minister Nakasone's visit to Okinawa
3. Questions concerning Japan-Russia relations
4. Questions concerning Prime Minister Aso's telephone conversation with US President Obama
I. Foreign Minister Nakasone's Diet speech highlights
Deputy Press Secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura: Good afternoon. Welcome to the conference.
I have two brief announcements to begin with.
First, yesterday, Wednesday, the 28th, Foreign Minister Nakasone delivered a policy speech to the 171st Session of the Diet. In the speech, Foreign Minister Nakasone underlined three areas for priority in Japanese foreign policy making this year: (1) To reinforce the Japan-US Alliance and advance cooperative relations with neighboring countries; (2) To deepen the cooperation with countries which we share fundamental values with so as to achieve global peace and stability; and (3) To assert leadership by making the best use of Japan's experience and insights in order to respond to the common challenges which affect the fate of humankind. Thus, the Foreign Minister clearly stated his readiness to act and cooperate with the rest of international community at this time of changing and tough challenges.
Related Information (Policy Speech by Foreign Minister Nakasone to the 171st Session of the Diet)
II. Foreign Minister Nakasone's visit to Okinawa
Second, over this coming weekend, Foreign Minister Nakasone will visit Okinawa. There, he will meet the Governor of Okinawa, Hirokazu Nakaima and visit the site for the Futenma Replacement Facility and other sites. As the Foreign Minister stated in his policy speech yesterday, we will steadily implement the realignment of the US Forces in Japan so as to maintain the deterrence element of the alliance while reducing burdens on local communities including Okinawa.
That's all from me. I would now like to invite your questions, please.
Related Information (Press Release)
III. Questions concerning Japan-Russia relations [deleted]
Related Information (Japan-Russia Relations)
IV. Questions concerning Prime Minister Aso's telephone conversation with US President Obama
Q: And on a separate topic, the telephone talks between Prime Minister Aso and US President Obama, we got the briefing on what they discussed, but can you describe how the atmosphere was? Because, I read in the sheet that it was held in English, so did Prime Minister Aso do all the conversation himself in English? Was there a problem?
Mr. Kawamura: To be frank and honest, I was not at the place. So judging from the information I have, first of all, the meeting was a smooth one because Mr. Aso spoke in English with no interpretation. This is a good advancement of the communications between the two leaders. The meeting was a smooth and comfortable one for both sides' leaders.
And second, Prime Minister Aso made the best use of the ten minutes. He covered all the important issues ranging from the further cooperation in the context of the world financial crisis and up to the strengthening of the Japan-US Alliance. It was a very pragmatic and productive meeting in a friendly atmosphere. To wrap up, it was a very good start for the two leaders.
Thank you very much.
Related Information (Telephone Conversation between Prime Minister Aso and U.S. President Obama)
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