[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
[July 6, 2008]
[Pages 993-999]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



The President's News Conference With Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda of Japan in Toyako, Japan
July 6, 2008

    Prime Minister Fukuda.  We had a very substantive meeting with 
President Bush for about an hour. In the meeting, we first shared the 
view that the peace and stability in this region, in the past decades, 
have been maintained thanks to the Japan-U.S. alliance. We then 
reaffirmed that in the 7\1/2\ years or so since the inauguration of the 
Bush administration in January of 2001, the alliance has deepened by 
leaps and bounds in security, economic, people-to-people exchanges, and 
other areas. And we agreed to further strengthen this alliance.
    In the security area, cooperation between Japan and the United 
States grew more concrete, substantive, and broader in nature, as 
exemplified by the cooperation in the fight against terrorism and 
assistance for Iraqi reconstruction following 9/11, the agreement on and 
steady implementation of a roadmap for U.S. forces realignment, and the 
joint development of ballistic missile defense and successful intercept 
tests.
    On North Korean issues, I told President Bush that the verification 
of their declaration is extremely important to realize complete nuclear 
abandonment by North Korea, that simultaneous settlement of 
denuclearization and the abduction issue will be important, and that to 
that end, Japan wishes to continue to cooperate closely with the United 
States. And President Bush concurred with me and told me that he will 
never forget the abduction issue.
    I was encouraged to hear from him that the U.S. position on the 
abduction issue--that is to say a clear-cut support for Japanese 
position--remains unchanged, and that the United States will remain in 
close coordination with Japan on the issue. As

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agreed between us on the nuclear and abduction issues, we shall continue 
to deal with the issue, maintaining close coordination between our two 
countries.
    On the economic aspects, the interdependence between Japan and the 
United States has grown closer than before. Since 2000, Japanese direct 
investment to the United States has increased approximately 30 percent. 
Japanese businesses in the United States have about 610,000 people on 
their payrolls, and U.S. direct investment in Japan also has increased 
approximately 60 percent.
    I wish to also point out that mutual understanding between our 
countries has reached a high level at the grassroots level. I shall make 
sure to follow up the initiative I announced during my visit to the 
United States last year to step up in Japan-U.S. exchanges so that the 
foundation for our alliance will become unshakeable.
    In order to further deepen this alliance, I explained to President 
Bush my belief that it will be important to further step up in policy 
coordination in Asia and bilateral cooperation in addressing global 
challenges, such as climate change, African development, and disaster 
reduction. And President Bush expressed his agreement on this.
    On African development, we agreed that we should further step up our 
bilateral cooperation to increase the production of major crops in 
Africa, including doubling of rice production, and promote their trade 
and distribution.
    On disaster reduction, following the recent spate of several 
natural--severe natural disasters in Asia in recent years, I wish to 
step up cooperation between our two countries to build up cooperation in 
Asia on disaster prevention.
    On climate change, we also had discussions, and we have a common 
understanding that it is our common responsibility to leave the 
beautiful Earth to our posterity since this--climate change is one of 
the most severe challenges that humankind faces today, and that we shall 
continue to cooperate with the G-8.
    And with regard to soaring food and oil prices, which are having 
negative impact on the world economy, we agreed there's a need for 
expeditious efforts on these fronts.
    President Bush, please.
    President Bush. Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your hospitality, 
and thank you for inviting us to this beautiful place. Laura and I are really looking forward to dinner with you and 
Mrs. Fukuda tonight. And I agree with your 
assessment that we had very important and fruitful discussions.
    We discussed a variety of subjects, starting with the--our work 
together to make sure the Korean Peninsula, all the Korean Peninsula, is 
free of nuclear weapons. I am fully aware of the sensitivity of the 
issue here in your country. I am aware that people want to make sure 
that the abduction issue is not ignored, and that there are suspicions 
about whether or not the North Koreans will be fully forthcoming. I view 
this process as a multistep process that requires strong verification.
    One thing is for certain, is that North Korea did provide a 
declaration of its plutonium-related activities and did blow up the 
cooling tower of its reactor at Yongbyon. That's been verified, and that 
also is a positive step. But there are more steps to be taken. We are 
concerned about enriched uranium and proliferation and human rights 
abuses, ballistic missile programs. I view this process as a multistep 
process where there will be action for action.
    The Prime Minister gave me the book of Ms. Yokota. I had the privilege of meeting her in the Oval Office. 
I was deeply touched by her story about the abduction of her little 
girl. As a father of little girls, I can't imagine what 
it would be like to have my daughter just disappear. So, Mr. Prime 
Minister, as I told you on the phone when I talked to you and in the 
past, the United States will not abandon you on this issue.

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    We worked--we talked about Japan's contributions in Iraq and 
Afghanistan. And I thank your Government and I thank the people of Japan 
for helping others realize the blessings of liberty. We talked about 
Iran and the importance of Iran to listen to the demands, the just 
demands of the world to verifiably suspend its enrichment programs.
    We haven't had a chance to talk about Burma yet, but I intend to 
bring it up with the Prime Minister. I'm deeply concerned about that 
country. Their response to the recent natural disaster was unwarranted 
at best. And we urge the regime to free Aung Suu--Aung San Suu Kyi.
    We talked about the G-8. And I believe this is going to be a 
successful G-8, Mr. Prime Minister. This is my eighth one. I've got a 
pretty good sense about whether or not a G-8 is going to be a success or 
maybe not such a success. This one is going to be a success.
    We've got a lot to talk about. I appreciate very much your strong 
belief in the accountability aspect of this meeting. In other words, 
when people say they're--make a pledge to feed the hungry or provide for 
the ill, that we ought to honor that pledge. And I thank you for 
understanding that. And I also thank you for your concern about 
neglected tropical diseases as well as helping train health workers in 
Africa so that they can be compassionate citizens of their respective 
countries.
    We'll talk about food and energy, of course. And then I've got two 
other subjects that I want to make sure we spend a fair amount of time 
on. One is the Doha round. It's an opportunity for us, Mr. Prime 
Minister, to promote free and fair trade, and it's going to be an 
essential part of the development agenda. And the truth of the matter 
is, we can give grants and--but the best way to help the impoverished 
around the world is through trade. It's a proven fact. And this is an 
opportunity to set up a successful ministerial in July--I think it's 
July 21st--for the Doha round.
    And then I'm going to spend some time, of course, sharing my views 
about the environment and how we can advance our common agenda, and 
that--remind people that the United States and Japan really do lead the 
world in research when it comes to clean technologies.
    I think I was sharing my views with some of the Japanese press when 
they were in the United States, Mr. Prime Minister, about how Japan is 
going to lead the world when it comes to battery technologies, and that 
I anticipate our country will be able to be using battery technologies 
in automobiles that look like cars, not golf carts, and which will save 
us a lot of, you know, reliance upon oil. And this will be a great 
opportunity to discuss that as well as our common desire to move our 
common agenda.
    And so I want to thank you very much for your hospitality. And I 
appreciate very much your candid discussion that we had.

Environment

    Q. I'm with NHK. Both of you have commented on global warming, and 
so I'd like to ask about that to both of you. First, Prime Minister 
Fukuda, were you successful in getting President Bush's agreement to 
cooperate--to get a G-8 agreement on long-term target to have a global--
greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 globally?
    So first that question, and second question for President Bush. Mr. 
President, you've been saying that participation of China and India, 
among others, will be essential for a long-term target. Do you think 
that--are going to cooperate on getting a G-8 agreement on long-term 
target this time? And also, as for assistance for African countries that 
are suffering from negative impact of global warming, I wonder what 
thoughts you have, President Bush.
    Prime Minister Fukuda. Allow me to first respond. As I said earlier 
on the global

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warming issue, including long-term targets, I agreed with President Bush 
        to continue to cooperate in the runup to the G-8. On whether G-8 
        will agree on long-term target or not, that is something that G-
        8 is continuing consultations. So at this stage what I wish to 
        say is that we leaders will get down to in-depth discussions on 
        this day after tomorrow.

    President Bush. I'll be constructive. I've always advocated that 
there needs to be a common understanding, and that starts with a goal. 
And I also am realistic enough to tell you that if China and India don't 
share that same aspiration, that we're not going to solve the problem.
    And so I appreciate the Prime Minister's leadership on this issue. 
And the United States will--we're working, working to see if we can come 
up with a constructive statement.
    I didn't get your question on Africa. What was the question on 
Africa? Ask it again, please.

Africa

    Q. Well, I wanted to ask for your thoughts, your views on support 
for Africa, which will be negatively affected by global warming. Do you 
have any plans for supporting Africa?
    President Bush. ----starts with understanding that babies are 
needlessly dying because of mosquito bites, and therefore, wealthy 
nations ought to step up and provide mosquito nets, DDT, as well as 
medicine. My concern for Africa starts with knowing that too many people 
are dying of HIV/AIDS. And that's why the United States Congress joined 
the administration in supporting a $15 billion effort to help people get 
antiretroviral drugs, help orphans get help, and help put a--effective 
prevention program in place. The amount--number of people who have gone 
on antiretrovirals today has grown from 50,000 to 1.7 million people.
    I'm concerned about people going hungry. And so we'll be very 
constructive in the dialogue when it comes to the environment. I care 
about the environment. But today, there's too much suffering on the 
continent of Africa, and now is the time for the comfortable nations to 
step up and do something about it.

U.S. Economy and Monetary Policy/Energy/Environment

    Q. Thank you. Mr. President, oil prices are up. The economy is in a 
serious downturn. What can world leaders do? And would you approve of 
intervention to strengthen the U.S. dollar, which many people say is 
contributing to the rise in oil prices?
    And, Mr. Prime Minister, do you believe that the U.S. is holding up 
moving forward on climate change?
    President Bush. First of all, our economy is not growing as robustly 
as we'd like. We had positive growth in the first quarter; we'll see 
what happens here in the second quarter. But nevertheless, it's--we're 
not as strong as we have been during a lot of my Presidency. And so, as 
you well know, Toby [Tabassum Zakaria, Reuters], we passed a stimulus 
bill that is now in the process of passing money back to consumers, 
which had a positive effect and, hopefully, will continue to have a 
positive effect.
    We're working with the Congress to get a housing bill out. We're--we 
passed uninsurance benefits--unemployment benefits--excuse me. And yet 
we got a problem when it comes to reliance upon foreign sources of oil. 
For 7 years, I've been trying to get the Congress to explore for oil 
domestically. Now is the time, when they come back from their Fourth of 
July vacations, to open up ANWR and open up the Outer Continental Shelf 
so that we can say to the world that we will do our part in increasing 
supply, so that we can transition from this period of reliance upon 
hydrocarbons to a new period of advanced technologies.

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    In terms of the dollar, the United States strongly believes in a 
strong dollar policy and believes that our--the strength of our economy 
will be reflected in the dollar.
    Q. [Inaudible]
    President Bush. No, I just said the relative strength of our economy 
will be reflected in currencies.
    Prime Minister Fukuda. With regard to global warming or climate 
change, the question was, what--how do I see U.S. response? Is that a 
correct understanding of your question? Well, between Japan and the 
United States, discussions are--been going on at various levels. The 
U.S., I believe, has not really lost a sense of direction, generally, 
and that between our two countries, we have consultations going on. And 
through these consultations, I think our views are gradually converging.
    At the G-8 this time, well, I'll be chairing the meeting, so I've 
asked the President for his cooperation to this chair, and he has shown 
his kind understanding. What the results will be, well, we have to wait 
until the conclusion comes out at the meeting the day after tomorrow.

North Korea/Abduction of Japanese Citizens

    Q. Aso, with the Kyoto News Service. On North Korea, I'd like to ask 
questions of the two leaders. First, President Bush, North Korea 
recently submitted their declaration on nuclear development programs, 
but that declaration did not include a declaration regarding nuclear 
weapons. Are you satisfied with that sort of declaration, Mr. President?
    And also in connection with this--or in connection with the 
declaration, Mr. President, you expressed--no, you decided to notify 
Congress about removing North Korea from the status of state sponsors of 
terrorism list. There is rising concern about abduction in Japan. You 
said you will not forget about abduction, but would there be--after the 
removal of North Korea from the list, what sort of means will there 
remain for the United States to press North Korea to resolve the 
abduction issue?
    Now, Mr. Fukuda, I wonder in your discussions you asked the 
President to rethink the President's decision to remove North Korea from 
the list. If not, why didn't you ask? Now, following the removal of 
North Korea from the list, what sort of specific cooperation would you 
seek from the United States to advance the abduction issue?
    President Bush. North Korea is the most sanctioned nation in the 
world and will remain the most sanctioned nation in the world. And the 
way for them to get off their sanctions is to honor their commitments in 
a verifiable fashion.
    Somehow there's this notion--inherent in your question is the 
delisting therefore took away their sanctions. That's just not an 
accurate statement on your part if you think that. I'm not assuming you 
do think that, but it's--they're a highly sanctioned regime. And they 
will--as I said, they've got a lot of obligations that they must fulfill 
in order for these sanctions to leave.
    And that's why I said it is action for action. And the first step 
was taken. Now, one thing is for certain, I repeat--I don't know if you 
saw it on your--on the TVs here, but the destruction of the cooling 
tower was verifiable action. And that's a positive step. But as I 
mentioned in my opening statement, we have other concerns, and one such 
concern, of course, is the abduction issue.
    Prime Minister Fukuda. Well, the North Korean declaration on their 
nuclear programs--well, when you think about the abduction issue, I 
think the suggestion of your question--what you were suggesting is that 
we should seek U.S. to rescind that decision. Well, as far as nuclear 
issue is concerned, well, we have moved on to a new phase. And I think 
we need to make sure this will be successful because it will be in the 
interest of Japan as well. At the same time, in parallel, we need to 
bring

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the abduction issue to successful conclusion as well.
    So against this backdrop of progress in the nuclear front, we need 
to also strive for progress on the abduction front as well. And to that 
end, we need to have good-faith discussions with North Korea. And so 
far, we have not seen any progress, but we need to engage in 
negotiations so that progress will be produced. Because abduction is not 
progressing, on the nuclear front we should not make progress--that is 
something we should not--we should avoid. And I believe we need to make 
progress on both fronts, because that will be important for Japan, and I 
think that will be necessary for North Korea as well.

2008 Beijing Olympics

    Q. Good afternoon. Mr. President, I'd like to ask you a question 
about China. I was wondering if you could, first of all, explain a 
little bit about your thinking behind your decision to attend the 
opening ceremonies of the Olympics next month. And more generally, I'm 
wondering what you would say to the--your friends and allies in the 
United States who are very concerned about religious freedom and human 
rights in China, the situation in Sudan and Burma. What would you say to 
them of what has come from your approach to dealing with President Hu 
over the last 7 years?
    And I'd also like to ask the Japanese Prime Minister whether you're 
paying close attention to the American election? And in particular, I'm 
curious if you can discern any differences right now between the two 
candidates as it relates to Japan, in particular, and more broadly, in 
terms of how they would approach Asia.
    President Bush. I view the Olympics as a opportunity for me to cheer 
on our athletes. It's an athletic event. I've had the honor of dealing 
with the Chinese--two Chinese Presidents during my term, and every time I have visited with 
them, I have talked about religious freedom and human rights. And so 
therefore, my decision to go was--I guess I don't need the Olympics to 
express my concerns. I've been doing so.
    I also believe that the Chinese people are watching very carefully 
about the decisions by world leaders, and that this--I happen to believe 
not going to the opening games would be--the opening ceremony for the 
games would be an affront to the Chinese people, which may make it more 
difficult to have a--to be able to speak frankly with the Chinese 
leadership. That's why I'm doing what I'm doing. And I'm looking forward 
to cheering the athletes. I think it will be--I think it would be good 
for these athletes who have worked hard to see their President waving 
that flag.
    Q. [Inaudible]
    President Bush. You know, in some areas, we've made progress on a 
common agenda; other areas, we haven't. But nevertheless, I have been 
very clear in my view that, for example, a whole society is one that 
honors religion, and that people shouldn't fear religious people. After 
all, truly religious people love their neighbor--and that China benefits 
from people being able to worship freely.
    It looks like there's some progress, at least in the talks with the 
Dalai Lama. And by the way, as you 
know, I'm the first President ever to have stood up publicly with the 
Dalai Lama and told President Hu Jintao I was going 
to. And he wasn't that pleased about it, but nevertheless, I said, ``I 
believe in a religious freedom, Mr. President.''
    And so it's--and I hope I have a bilateral--I might have a bilateral 
with him here, and I bet I do when I'm in Beijing as well, and of 
course, the subject will come up.
    Prime Minister Fukuda. Well, your question for me, was it along the 
same line as well? Well--and if that is the case--well, I--whether I'll 
attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games or not, I have not made 
any official announcement on this because the day after the opening

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ceremony of the Olympics, there is an important event in Japan, and I 
have to attend that important ceremony. And therefore--or event--
therefore, I really have to make sure I would have time to get back for 
that. Now I know that I'll able to get back in time, so here for the 
first time, I will announce that I--announce officially that I will 
attend the opening ceremony of the Olympics.
    Now--and in fact, the President said something to the same effect, 
that Olympics are a sport events, and we want people to really live up 
to the spirit of the sports, sportsmanship. And I certainly encourage 
that. And there are many aspiring athletes that will be going to 
Beijing, and I would like to cheer them on too, which I think is only 
natural. I don't think you really have to link Olympics to politics.
    Now, there certainly may be problems with China, but even so, they 
are striving to improve things. They're on the way to improve things, 
and we'd like to closely watch how they do. In the past, Japan has come 
through various experiences, and the U.S. and others criticized Japan 
for certain behaviors. So we have had experience in that reality, and we 
are now here today. So we really have to be--have humility in asking 
ourselves, do we have the right to make those points to China and 
others?
    Now, I would not hope that there will be a chaos in China. I would 
not want Chinese to become unhappy. We are neighbors, after all, and it 
will good for Japan if our neighbors are in a sound state as well. So 
with that in mind as well, I shall attend the opening ceremony.

Note: The President's news conference began at 5:13 p.m. at the Windsor 
Hotel Toya Resort and Spa. In his remarks, the President referred to 
Kiyoko Fukuda, wife of Prime Minister Fukuda; Sakie Yokota, mother of 
Megumi Yokota, who was abducted by North Korean authorities; Aung San 
Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma; President 
Hu Jintao and former President Jiang Zemin of China; and Tenzin Gyatso, 
the 14th Dalai Lama. Prime Minister Fukuda and some reporters spoke in 
Japanese, and their remarks were translated by an interpreter.