Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER:It has been reported that a Diet members association, including Vice-Speaker of the House of Representatives Seishiro Eto, is planning a visit to North Korea. This has sparked concerns about two-track diplomacy and that such a visit would be in contravention of the Government request to refrain from travel to North Korea. What is the Government's view on this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:Has such a visit been approved by the Diet?

REPORTER:No, there has not been any formal discussion about such a visit.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:In that case, I think it would be better to make a comment after seeing the progress of this matter in the Diet. I believe that there are varying definitions relating to the term dual-track diplomacy, one of which is the case where on behalf of the nation a Diet member provides a direct explanation to a foreign government or other body about the national situation and public opinion, and stresses particular points. However, I believe that such cases must not result in a weakening of the Government's position, if the Diet member in question were to state his or her own ideas to the foreign government that may not be in line with Government policy. Whatever the case, in this particular matter the Government's stance is that it will continue to engage in efforts in accordance with the stated basic policy that is based on the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, namely to comprehensively resolve various matters of concern, including the abduction, nuclear and missile issues, as well as settling matters relating to the unfortunate past, and then moving to normalize diplomatic relations between Japan and North Korea.

(Abridged)