Monthly News for July, 2003

September 10, 2003

Presentation by Yasukazu Hamada, Chairman of the LDP’s Defence Policy Subcommittee

On June 5, Yasukazu Hamada, Chairman of the LDP’s Subcommittee on Defence Policy, addressed the International Bureau’s Nagatakai on the topic of Japan’s current defence policy.
First of all, he explained the recent debate on Japanese national defence. “Until now, it has been taboo to engage in such discussions. The era has changed, however. Military power exists for peaceful purposes and whether such power is used or not depends upon the intentions of humans. This is not the time to ignore discussions on national defence.”
In addition, Chairman Hamada also described the US?Japan Security Treaty as ‘absolutely necessary’. With regard to missile defence, he asserted that the LDP will observe the progress in discussions in consideration of several related issues, including simulations, legality and budgetary matters.

Vice President of Vietnam Visits Secretary General Yamazaki

The Vice President of Vietnam, His Excellency Truong My Hoa, paid a complimentary visit to Secretary General Taku Yamazaki, and Diet Members Tsutomu Takebe and Fumio Kishida at LDP Headquarters on June 4th.
Vice President Hoa was in Japan attending a forum sponsored by the Nikkei Shimbun Newspaper. The meeting started with the Vice President’s salutations in support of efforts to develop mutual relations and to become closer partners in the future. Secretary General Yamazaki responded, “This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of relations between our countries. I had the opportunity to visit Vietnam in January of this year. Presidential elections for the LDP will be held in the near future, so this year will be a turning point of Japanese politics. We respectfully request your support.”
Vice President Hoa also mentioned that there are 28 female representatives in the Vietnamese National Assembly, to which Secretary General Yamazaki stated his intention to try to increase female participation in Japanese politics beyond the current level of under ten percent (membership in the Diet).

Meeting between the Pakistan Ambassador and Secretary General Yamazaki

On June 5th, Pakistani Ambassador Kamran Niaz met with Secretary General Taku Yamazaki to exchange opinions on the situation regarding Afghan development, anti-terrorism policies, and Iraqi recovery efforts among other matters.
First of all, Secretary General Yamazaki explained Japan’s support for Afghanistan’s recovery. “On my trip to Pakistan last year, I had a chance to check out Karachi Bay. I decided at that point that some contribution could be made toward the improvement of maritime transportation.” The Ambassador explained that Afghanistan and Pakistan are ‘two-sides of the same coin’ and that whichever way you look at it, development assistance is necessary. The Ambassador added that democratization is advancing though democratically-elected members of parliament and that are improvements in economic indices as well. Pakistan, however, is not entirely clear of all dangers yet.
Secretary General Yamazaki also stated his desire that India and Pakistan ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) as soon as possible, given that both countries are now in possession of nuclear weapons and that this is a source of considerable insecurity. The Ambassador replied that while he personally would like to see ratification, this is a matter for the Pakistan parliament to decide.

Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage Meets the Secretary Generals of the Three Ruling Parties

Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage had a chance to meet the Secretary Generals of the three ruling parties along with American Ambassador Howard Baker, during his visit to Tokyo for the Sri Lanka Reconstruction and Development Conference.
They exchanged views on the prospects for the legal basis for reconstruction efforts, Japanese support, the situation in Iraq, and weapons of mass destruction, among other topics.