(Provisional Translation)

Prime Minister Koizumi Expressed Japan's Strong Support to the United States to Fight Against Terrorism.

The following is a provisional translation of the statement by Prime Minister Koizumi at his press conference at around 2:50 a.m. on October 8 (Japan Time; or at around 1:50 p.m. on October 7 of the U.S. Washington D.C. Time), within an hour after the announcement by President Bush regarding the military strikes in Afghanistan.

Earlier this morning, the United States military began strikes against military installations of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan with Great Britain.

At the same time, the United States stated that it will also drop food, medicine and supplies to the people of Afghanistan.

Japan strongly supports these actions to fight against terrorism.

Following this meeting I will immediately convene the Security Council of Japan. I will also establish the Emergency Anti- Terrorism Headquarters under my chairmanship.

Japan will provide all possible cooperation in this fight against terrorism. The Government will also take all the necessary steps to ensure the safety of its people, such as steps to ensure the safety of the Japanese nationals overseas, to reinforce the security of important facilities in Japan, and to enhance its immigration control.

I received an advanced information from Secretary Powell by telephone about their actions against terrorism.

I am going to visit China today as scheduled.