Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Some are reporting that Japan will begin to once again offer yen loans to Myanmar. Please tell us the state of discussions on this.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe that there are reports announcing the policy to again begin providing yen loans to Myanmar. While watching the movement for democratization in Myanmar, the Japanese Government has evaluated positively the measures implemented by the Government of Myanmar toward democratization and national reconciliation, and so in the future we plan to provide support that will cement this positive shift. In terms of economic cooperation, we will monitor the country's democratization and improvements in the human rights situation, and will be discussing economic support on a case-by-case basis for projects that will directly reach the people, primarily in the field of basic human needs. In order to provide new yen loans, the situation regarding the issue of delinquent debt to Japan, international financial institutions and others has to be improved. This is important. Moreover, the by-election will be held on April 1. We will continue to monitor the degree of progress of the country's further democratization and national reconciliation, and while doing so, continue to hold discussions about appropriate response. Right now Japan and Myanmar are in the process of holding discussions at the working level. Since this is a diplomatic issue, I shall refrain from offering an explanation of these.

REPORTER: So is my understanding correct that the discussions take a positive view on the restarting of yen loans?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The discussions do take a positive view on this. However, there is still the issue of the by-election in April, and we will be watching these carefully.

(Abridged)