December 22, 2005 The Bank of Japan
released its monthly financial statement. The BOJ report
can be found at: ac051220_f
December 20, 2005 Japan's Ministry of Finance released the "Key Points" of the government planned bond issuance for the coming year. It can be downloaded from: e20051220p
December 19, 2005 The
"Economic Outlook for FY2006 and Basic Economic and Fiscal Management Measures" which forecast a real GDP growth rate of 1.9% were officially adopted at the residence of Prime Minister Koizumi. Full details can be found at: 19keizai_e
December 15, 2005 Prime Minister Koizumi gave speeches in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in conjunction with the AEAN Plus 3, Japan-ASEAN talks and the East Asia Summit meeting. Further information can be found at: press0512
December 15, 2005 The Bank of Japan released its monthly "tankan" economic survey report of business confidence. It can be downloaded from: tk_f
December 13, 2005 Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a Joint Statement calling for the "broadening and deepening" of the Japan-ASEAN Strategic Partnership. Further information can be found at: joint0512
December 12, 2005 The US Department of Agriculture issued a press release hailing the resumption of US beef sales to Japan. Japan's action today sets an example for other countries in Asia whose markets remain closed. The statement can be downloaded from: 0546
December 8, 2005 At the Fifth Year Dialogue meeting in Seattle, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Trade Representative exchanged recommendations concerning regulatory reform and competitive policy. Further information can be found at: 1208
December 6, 2005 Prime Minister Koizumi and his economic team, the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, met to discuss the FY2006 budget. Full details can be found at: 06keizai_e
December 2, 2005 Japan's Ministry of Trade and Economy (METI)'s Corporate Affairs Division released the English-language translation of its recommendations regarding corporate accounting. The report can be found at: index
December 2, 2005 Nippon Keidanren and three other major Japanese business groups call for an early conclusion of the Japan-ASEAN comprehensive economic partnership agreement. The statement can be downloaded here: 090
November 28, 2005 As required by the 1988 Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act, the Treasury Department issued its "International Economic and Exchange Rate Policies" report to Congress today, which cited neither Japan nor China. Secretary Snow's press statement and the report can be found at: js3024
November 28, 2005 Japan's Tax Commissioner, Hiromitsu Ishi, presented the recommendations of the Government Tax Commission to Prime Minister Koizumi: index-e
November 22, 2005 The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) issued a White Paper calling for full competition in postal privatization: PR_JPWhitepaper_E
November 21, 2005 The leaders of Japan and the United States joined the rest of the Asian leaders in issuing a call for ambitious results in the Doha Development Agenda summit at the APEC ministerial (held in Busan, Korea November 18-19). The APEC statement can be found at: state
November 21, 2005 The English translation of the testimony given by Governor Fukui of the Bank of Japan regarding currency and monetary control to the House of Councillors can be seen at: ko0511b_f
November 18, 2005 Keidanren released the English translation of the "Results of the Fiscal 2005 Follow Up to the Keidanren Voluntary Action Plan on the Environment." It can be downloaded from: 086
November 16, 2005 The White House released a speech given by President Bush in Kyoto, Japan regarding freedom and democracy: 20051116-6
November 10, 2005 President Bush will visit three countries in Asia next week, in conjunction with his trip to Busan, Korea for the AEC ministerial. Further information can be found at
the US Embassy's (Tokyo) website: tp-20051110-25
November 7, 2005 Japan's Ministry of Finance confirmed today that there were no foreign exchange interventions between July and September 2005: e1707_09
November 4, 2005 Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Ambassador Kato, Senator Inouye (D-Hawaii), Japanese consul-generals and some 20 Japanese-American leaders will meet in San Francisco from November 6-7. The MOFA press release can be seen at: 1104
November 2, 2005 The "Fourth Report to the Leaders" about coordinated efforts by the governments of Japan and the United States in the areas of regulatory reform and competition policy was released: wwwf-regref4-2005
October 31, 2005 Prime Minister Koizumi reshuffled his Cabinet. The new roster of Ministers can be found at: 31kaizou_e
October 31, 2005 An independent Japanese agency, the Food Safety Commission, said today that there is minimum risk of BSE from US beef and suggested that the ban will be lifted by year's end. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is likely to post a statement soon. A press statement on the MAFF website was posted last week: eng
October 29, 2005 In a so-called "two plus two" meeting on US-Japan security issues in Washington, DC, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura, and Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld and Minister of State for Defense Ohno , met to discuss the issue of "Transformation and Alignment for the Future." The MOFA press release is at: doc0510
October 24, 2005 Japan's Financial Services Agency released its English language translation of the"Financial Inspection Rating System for Deposit-Taking Financial Institutions (FIRST).'' The FSA announcement can be found at: e20051024
October 19, 2005 Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the US-Japan Strategic Dialogue will be held in Tokyo October 23-24. Further information can be found at: 1019-2
October 19, 2005 JETRO held a seminar on joint government-private sector efforts to boost Foreign Direct Investment in Japan. Seminar information is at: 20051019464-news
October 17, 2005 The White House announced that President Bush will visit Japan before proceding to the APEC summit. The press release can be found at: tp-20051018-01
October 12, 2005 The government of Japan's Cabinet-level Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) released its monthly report of consumer confidence: http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/en/stat/shouhi/0509shouhi-e.html
October 12, 2005 The Bank of Japan released its monthly "Recent Economic and Financial Developments report: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/seisaku/05/pb/gp0510_f.htm
October 3, 2005 The 11th meeting of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change got underway, which the discussions focused on implementing the Kyoto Protocol. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely following the COP-11 talks:http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/environment/warm/cop/meet0509.html
October 3, 2005 The Bank of Japan released its monthly "tankan" report of business confidence in September at: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/stat/tk/tk0509_f.htm
September 26, 2005 Following his landslide election to a third term, Prime Minister Koizumi speaks to the Japanese Diet about his commitment to accelerating reform and privatization: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumispeech/2005/09/26shoshin_e.htm
September 19-20, 2005 Keidanren sent an eleven-person mission to the United States with its position paper aimed at explaining its top priorities in the WTO "Doha Development Agenda" trade round. The paper can be found at: http://www.keidanren.or.jp/english/policy/2005/064/index.html
September 6, 2005 The Japan Patent Office's new commissioner gave his inaugural address about IP matters. Commisioner Nakajima's speech can be found at: http://www.jpo.go.jp/cgi/linke.cgi?url=/shoukai_e/soshiki_e/inaugural_address_e.htm
September 2005 In its monthly newsletter, Economic Trends," Keidanren's vice chairman Junich Ujiie stakes out its position on anti-takeover defenses. The piece can be found at: http://www.keidanren.or.jp/english/journal/200509.html
August 29, 2005 Japan's Ministry of Economics Trade and Industry released its "2006 Economic and Industrial Policy" key points white paper (published first in Japanese and then translated into Englishh on September 12)" http://www.meti.go.jp/english/policy/FY2006keypoints.pdf
July 25, 2005 Three Japanese government ministries -- Economy, Trade and Industry (METI); Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW); and Environment (MOE) launched a new program to deal with safety guidelines for high production volume chemicals. Full details about the "Japan Challenge Program" can be found at: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/information/downloadfiles/JP_HPVprogram.pdf
July 20, 2005 Six regional organizations met with Prime Minister Koizumi to present him with reform ideas. The statement can be found at: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2005/07/20teigen_e.html
July 8, 2005 Keidanren and Business Roundtable CEOs met in New York yesterday to help advance a shared agenda for promoting global economic growth. The Joint Statement following the meeting can be downloaded from: http://www.keidanren.or.jp/english/policy/2005/048.html
July 4, 2005 Japan's Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI) released its English-language 2005 White Paper entitled, "International Economy and Trade." A summary and the full report can be downloaded from: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/report/data/gIT05maine.html
July 1, 2005 JETRO released a report which identifies four "attractive sectors" for foreign investors in Japan -- information communications technology (ICT), biotechnology, medical care, and the environment. The market analysis can be found at: http://www.jetro.go.jp/en/market/attract/
June 28, 2005 In a June 23 speech to Japanese business leaders in Oita, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Japan Toshiro Muto said the pace of economic recovery in Japan is likely to remain moderate. Muto's just-translated speech can be downloaded from: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/press/05/ko0506a_f.htm
June 23, 2005 The Japanese Ministry for Economic, Trade and Industry (METI) released a White Paper about Chinese infringement of intellectual property. It can be downloaded from: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/report/data/050623ChinaIPR.html
June 21, 2005 The Japanese government's "Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy" approved guidelines that will rein in deficit spending by limiting new government bond issues, setting medium-term and revenue targets, and fighting deflation. Japan's fiscal deficit will hit 150% of GDP by the end of FY2005. The CEFP guidelines can be downloaded from: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2005/06/21keizai_e.html
June 20, 2005 Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), released an update regarding Japan's foreign aid ("Overseas Development Assistance") to China. It can be found at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/region/e_asia/china/index.html
June 17, 2005 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) released Japan's revised offer on services for the WTO Doha Development Agenda. The Offer can be downloaded from: http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/wto/offer0507.html
June 13, 2005 The Japan government's statistical agency, "Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)," posted new US-Japan Economic Indicators to its website. They can be downloaded from: http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/en/stat/data/menu1.html
June 11, 2005 In its "Pre-G8 Summit Statement," in Gleneagles, UK, the G8 leaders called on Japan to implement "further structural reform and fiscal consolidation." The G8 statement can be found at: http://www.g8.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&
cid=1078995903270&a=KArticle&aid=1115146459045
June 8, 2005 Japan's Ministry of Finance released the preliminary April balance of payments statistics at: http://www.mof.go.jp/bpoffice/e1c004.htm
June 3, 2005 The Prime Ministers of Japan and Indonesia announced the launch of negotiations aimed at concluding a Japan-Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement. Further details can be found at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/indonesia/summit0506/joint-3.html and http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumispeech/2005/06/02seimei2_e.html
May 25, 2005 The Prime Ministers of Japan and Malaysia reached a compromise on key elements of the Japan-Malaysia Economic Partnership Agreement. The Agreement will cover a wide range of economic activities including intellectual property, competition policy, enhancement of business environment, and bilateral cooperation in the fields of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and commodities, education and human resource development, information and communications technology, science and technology, small and medium enterprises, tourism and environment. Further details can be found at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/malaysia/joint0505.html
May 18, 2005 Keidanren and two other business associations will join Japan’s Financial Services Agency in participating in the Committee of European Securities Regulators open hearing of a Draft Technical Advice to the European Commission in Paris. Japanese representatives will express their views on the matter of convergence of financial standards of Japanese GAAP, US GAAP and Canadian GAAP to EU-endorsed IAS/IFRS. For more, please visit: http://www.fsa.go.jp/news/newse/e20050516-1.html
May 11, 2005 Japan’s Financial Services Agency announced today that the FSA and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will hold regular high-level dialogues on common issues of globalized securities markets. The first will be held in late June 2005 in Tokyo. The announcement followed a meeting with SEC Chairman William Donaldson with Minister of State for Financial Services Tatsuya Ito on May 3, 2005 in Washington. Further information can be found at: http://www.fsa.go.jp/news/newse/e20050511-1.html
May 5, 2005 At the Asian Development Bank’s annual meeting in Istanbul, Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said that Asian economic growth in 2004 was the highest since the currency crisis of 1997-98. To ensure strong economic growth, Tanigaki urged a focus on the following five challenge: poverty alleviation, infrastructure improvement, a better balance of rural and urban populations, regional cooperation, and greater flexibility of economic structures. For more, see: http://www.mof.go.jp/english/if/adb050505.pdf
May 2, 2005 Speaking at the 2005 Non-Proliferation Treaty Conference in New York, Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Machimura Nobutaka, urged Iran to reach an agreement with France, Germany, and Great Britain on the “objective guarantees” that Iran’s nuclear program would be for peaceful purposes. The entire statement can be found at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/un/fmv0504/npt.html
April 28, 2005 Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nobutaka Machimura, will visit the US and Europe April 28 - May 4. A MOFA press release states that. Machimura will meet with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, deliver a speech about Japan’s global strategy and US-Japan relations in New York. He will also meet with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and then proceed to Paris for ministerials at the OECD and WTO. More information can be found at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2005/4/0428-2.html
April 27, 2005 The Bank of Japan released a just-translated research paper, “The State of Japanese Economy: From the Perspective of Employment and Income,” which finds that expectations by Japanese firms for the country’s industrial sector over the next five years remain extremely low. For more details, please go to: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/ronbun/05/ron0504a_f.htm
April 22, 2005 At the April 20-24 Asia-Africa Business Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, Prime Minister Koizumi promised more than $2.5 billion over the next five years for disaster prevention and reconstruction in South-East Asia. Japan also pledged to double its Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) to Africa within the next three years. For additional information, please visit: http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/meet0504/annex.pdf
April 20, 2005 Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a Joint Study of a proposed "Australia-Japan Trade and Economic Framework." Chapters profile trade and investment barriers in each country. The Study can be downloaded from: http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/australia/study0504/index.html
April 16, 2005 At the Spring 2005 International Monetary and Financial Committee meeting in Washington, Japan's Minister of Finance Sadakatzu Tanigaki urged the IMF to “play its role in crisis prevention and resolution.” by reviewing its distribution of quotas, improve precautionary arrangements coping with capital account crises, and bolster market confidence by maintaining a sufficient level of financial support. To read the full document, please go to: http://www.mof.go.jp/english/if/if050416st.pdf
April 15, 2005 The Tankan monthly indicator of consumer confidence in the Japanese economy can be found at: http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/en/stat/shouhi/0503shouhi-e.html
April 13, 2005 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its first biannual analysis of economic development, The World Economic Outlook, which urges Japan to consider a new monetary framework in the post-deflationary environment. In the financial sector, the IMF survey called for "a level playing field" between privatized entities of Japan Post and their competing counterparts in the private sector. For more, please visit: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2005/01/pdf/chapter1.pdf
April 10, 2005 At the 20th Annual Meeting of the Inter-American Investment Corporation in Okinawa, Japan’s Minister of Finance, Sadakatzu Tanigaki, welcomed proposals for Latin American development needs and urged closer cooperation with IMF and the World Bank. For more information, please go to: http://www.mof.go.jp/english/if/ek050410.pdf
April 4, 2005 The Bank of Japan issued its monthly Tankan report of industry trends for March: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/stat/tk/all0503_f.htm
March 22, 2005 Bank of Japan released “The Bank of Japan’s Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) for Fiscal 2005-2009” and “The Bank of Japan’s Action Plans for Fiscal 2005.” For more, please see: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/about/05/hoshin05_f.htm
March 22, 2005 The Bank of Japan’s Action Plans indicate that two new committees will be established on April 1, 2005 and tasked with examining the Bank’s operations. For additional information, please visit: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/about/05/hoshin05_f.htm.
March 20, 2005 During her first visit to Japan as US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice praised Japan’s key regional role in promoting security, opportunity and freedom. In a speech at Sophia University, Rice said the US “unambiguously supports” a permanent seat for Japan on the UN Security Council. For more information, please see: http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/p/tp-20050321-04.html
March 18, 2005 Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Sheila Sisulu, and Japan's Ambassador to Italy, Ms. Nobuko Matsubara, signed an agreement on Japan's global grant for food assistance to vulnerable and conflict-afflicted peoples. A country-by-country list of financial aid can be found at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2005/3/0318-4.html
March 15, 2005 Japan’s Ministry of Trade, Economy and Industry released a White Paper on Japan’s trade policies. In its “EPA Schedule” (page 8), METI says it aims to conclude Economic Partnership Agreements negotiations with the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand in 2005 and will “endeavor” to complete EPA negotiations with ASEAN by end-2006. METI’s White Paper is available at: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/information/downloadfiles/FTAprogress200503.pdf
March 11, 2005 Having already introduced a House resolution calling for economic sanctions against Japan for its ban on US beef, Kansas Congressman Jerry Moran pressed Ambassador Kato for a firm date on which Japan's market will be reopened to American cattle and beef. Moran's press statement can be found here.
March 9-10, 2005 The Bank of Japan released a number of statistical reports. They can be found at: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/
March 4, 2005: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) issued a position paper for the UNESCO/IOC International Coordination Meeting stating Japan's readiness to provide Tsunami Watch Information (TWI) as an interim warning operation coordinated by the Japan Metereological Agency. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will host a seminar for tsunami early warning experts from March 7-19. For more information, please see: http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/culture/unesco/meet0503.html
March 1, 2005 The Vice Chairman of Nippon Keidanren's Board of Councillors and President and CEO of Nippon Oil Corporation, questioned the Kyoto Protocol's ability to curb global warming without the participation of the United States (the largest producer of carbon dioxide) and China (the fastest growing consumer of energy). He urged closer technical cooperation with the US and China in energy conservation. Mr Watari's comments can be found at: http://www.keidanren.or.jp/english/journal/200503.html
February 26, 2005 Japan's Prime Minister Koizumi attended the opening ceremony for Asia's first Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano Prefecture, which was created for athletes with disabilities. A record 84 countries and territories are taking part in 79 events for 9 sports, including speed skating and alpine skiing. Further details can be found at: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2005/02/26sp_olympics_e.html
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/press/2005/2/0218.html#1
February 24, 2005 The 29th meeting of the IT Strategic Headquarters was held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence and adopted a new strategy "IT Policy Package 2005: Towards the Realization of the World's Most Advanced IT Nation." The first meeting of the IT Strategic Headquarters took place in January 2001. For more information, please go to: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2005/02/24it_e.html
February 19, 2005 Japan`s Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura is attending the Japan-US Foreign Ministerial Talks and the Security Consultative Committee today in Washington, DC. Both sides will discuss Japan-US security issues, common strategic goals, and the US presence in Japan. Foreign Minister Machimura will meet with Secretary of State Rice and National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley. For more details, please see: http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/press/2005/2/0218.html#1
February 16, 2005 A commemorative event to celebrate the Kyoto Protocol's entry into force was held at the Kyoto International Conference Hall, where the Protocol adopted in 1997.
February 14, 2005 The Ministry of Finance (MOF) released its monthly report for Japan's January 2005 sales and purchases of foreign and domestic securities bought/ sold by residents as well as non-residents. Net equity securities purchases by residents made up –1,506 million yen, while non-residents bought a net of 8,753 million yen. Further details can be found at: http://www.mof.go.jp/english/shoutou/month0501.pdf
February 9, 2005 The Second Asian Senior-level Talks on Non-Proliferation (ASTOP) began today at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Chaired by MOFA's Director-General for Arms Control and Scientific Affairs, Yukiya Amano, the meeting focused on international proliferation methods. For details, please see: http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/press/2005/2/0208.html#2
February 4, 2005 In a telephone conversation, President Bush and Prime Minister Koizumi discussed the appointment of US Ambassador-designate to Japan, John Thomas Schieffer, as well as current developments in Iraq and Six-Party Talks on the North Korean issue. Further information can be found on the MOFA website at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/press/2005/2/0204.html#1
February 3, 2005 The Bank of Japan released the English Translation of its annual poll about BOJ's policies and operations. The findings of the BOJ's "Opinion Survey on the General Public's Mindset and Behavior" can be found at: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/ronbun/05/ron0502a_f.htm
January 27, 2005 The Japan Bank for Cooperation released its "Evaluation Highlights on ODA Loan Projects 2004" which rated the effectiveness of Japanese foreign aid projects. Of 52 projects financed by Overseas Development Assistance (ODA)loans, 20 projects (38%) were rated "A," 20 projects (38%) "B," 10 projects (20%) "C," and two projects (4%) got a "D." Please see: http://www.jbic.go.jp/autocontents/english/news/2005/000005/index.htm
January 27, 2005 The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) bid farewell to US Ambassador Howard Baker, who served nearly four years in his post. His remarks can be found at: http://www.accj.or.jp/accj.or.jp/content/content/about/recentnews
January 25, 2005 In his first press conference as US Agriculture Secretary, just-confirmed Mike Johanns said that his "top priority" was to press Japan to lift its ban on imported US beef. The transcript of Johann's remarks can be found at: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?
contentidonly=true&contentid=2005/01/0027.xml
January 21, 2005 Speaking at the 162nd Session of the Diet (Parliament) Nobutaka Machimura, Japan Minister for Foreign Affairs discussed the country's foreign policy. His speech can be found at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/fm/machimura/speech0501.html
January 18, 2005 Jeffrey Sachs, the head of the United Nations Millennium Project, submitted a report to UN Secretary General Annan on the Millennium Development Goals. The report recommended that countries (like Japan) that seek permanent membership on the U.N. Security Council should fulfill their foreign aid (Official Development Assistance) commitments. Further information can be found at: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/
January 17, 2005 Japan’s Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Heizo Takenaka promised acceleration in economic recovery as a result of greater stability in the financial system. Additional information can be found at: http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/01/16/bloomberg/sxyen.html
January 11, 2005 METI is reportedly launching a three-part series of corporate reform. Part I deals with the macroeconomic matters, and Part II continues with debate of tax issues. Part III will discuss popular deliberation on the schedule of actions. A summary, prepared by Morgan Stanley economists can be found at: http://www.morganstanley.com/GEFdata/digests/20050110-mon.html#anchor8
January 6, 2005 In a speech to a Special ASEAN Leaders' Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, Prime Minister Koizumi pledged Japan's help in the aftermath of the devastating tsunami. His comments can be found at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/asean/pmv0501/address.html
January 4, 2005 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a press conference about the tsunami and Japan's aid commitments to the region. Numerous documents and the transcript of the MOFA press conference can be found at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/press/2005/1/0104.html
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