Monthly News for November, 2002

November 7, 2002

November 7 (from Russia)
Mr. Aleksandr Sergeevich Kosopkin, Director-General of the Domestic Policy Bureau in the Russian Federation President's Office, meets with SAITO Toshitsugu, Director-General of the LDP's International Bureau

After receiving an invitation from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to travel to Japan, Mr. Aleksandr Sergeevich Kosopkin, Director-General of the Domestic Policy Bureau in the Russion President's Office, paid a visit on November 7th to the office of Saito Toshitsugu, Director-General of the LDP International Bureau. Mr. Kosopkin and Director-General Saito discussed topics including the relationship between political parties and the Diet in Japan, and policymaking processes within Japanese political parties.
In July of this year, Director-General Saito attended a "Political Party Seminar" hosted by the Unity Party, the ruling party of the Russian Federation, and delivered a lecture on "political party politics." Along with this, Mr. Kosopkin's visit provides further evidence of the strong interest that exists in Russia in Japanese politics in general, and the LDP's policymaking system in particular.

November 13 (from Indonesia)
Doctor Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, meets with LDP Secretary-General YAMASAKI Taku

Dr. Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, paid a visit to the office of LDP Secretary-General Yamasaki Taku on November 13th. Dr. Dorodjatun was in Japan to attend an "International Monetary Symposium" jointly hosted by the Yomiuri International Economic Symposium and the Institute for International Monetary Affairs.
During his talk with Secretary-General Yamasaki, Dr. Dorodjatun made the following comments on the recent terrorist bombing attack on the Indonesian island of Bali - "The attack targeted Westerners and there were many victims. Cellular telephones and other high-tech devices were used and the perpetrators have been identified. We are planning to strengthen anti-terrorism measures and would like to ask Japan for it's cooperation." In response to this, Secretary-General Yamasaki explained that "Anti-terrorism measures are an international issue in which the people of Japan are extremely interested. I am concerned about the effects that this attack will have on Bali and Indonesia. In particular, I am worried about the effects on tourism." Dr. Dorodjatun added that "As a result of the terrorist attack, estimates for economic growth in Indonesia were revised from 5% to around 3.5 to 4%." Secretary-General Yamasaki ended by expressing his conviction that "Japan's relationship with Indonesia is extremely important and we must do everything possible to continue to cooperate and prosper together."

November 19 (from Singapore)
Professor S. Jayakumar, Singapore's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Law, meets with members of the LDP

Prof. S. Jayakumar, Singapore's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Law, met with MACHIMURA Nobutaka, Director-General of the Election Bureau, and HORIUCHI Mitsuo, Chairman of the General Council, on November 19th. On November 20, Prof. Jayakumar also met with Secretary-General Yamasaki. During these visits, Prof. Jayakumar and members of the LDP exchanged opinions on many issues, including the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Japan and Singapore, international terrorism, and the normalization of diplomatic relations with North Korea.

November 21 (from the People's Republic of China)
Mr. Xu Jian, Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, meets with SAITO Toshitsugu, Director-General of the LDP's International Bureau

Mr. Xu Jian, Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, met with Saito Toshitsugu, Director-General of the LDP's International Bureau, on November 21. During the meeting, Mr. Xu provided Director-General Saito with a briefing on the 16th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party whose proceedings concluded on October 15th. In reference to the selection of Hu Jintao as the new General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Director-General Saito remarked that "I have great expectations for him as a new leader. I hope to work to strengthen the relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and the Liberal Democratic Party."

November 22 (from Sri Lanka)
Professor Ganganath Disanayake, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (state-owned television and radio) visits the LDP

At the invitation of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Ganganath Disanayake, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, recently visited Japan. During his stay, he met with staff at LDP headquarters to exchange opinions on issues concerning the LDP's election strategies and its public relations with the mass media. Prof. Disanayake is currently serving as an advisor on communications to the Sri Lankan prime minister. Prof. Disanayake showed great interest in posters of LDP President and Japanese Prime Minister, KOIZUMI Junichiro. He was especially impressed by a poster in which President Koizumi is shown rolling up his sleeve as if preparing to perform hard labor. Prof. Disanayake commented that "this is the first time that I have ever seen a poster like this."

November 27 (from Nicaragua)
Mr. Francisco Xavier Chamorro Garcia, a Nicaraguan journalist, meets with SAITO Toshitsugu, Director-General of the LDP's International Bureau

Mr. Francisco Xavier Chamorro Garcia, a journalist with the El Nuevo Dairio, a Nicaraguan newspaper, met with Saito Toshitsugu, Director-General of the LDP's International Bureau, on November 27th. Mr. Garcia is the nephew of Nicaraguan President Chamorro. In January of this year, Director-General Saito, who is also the Chairman of the Japan-Nicaragua Parliamentarian Friendship League, attended President Chamorro's inauguration ceremony.
During the meeting, Director-General Saito expressed his desire to "strengthen the bonds of friendship between Japan and Nicaragua." The two also engaged in a productive exchange of opinions on Nicaragua's culture, economy, and politics.

November 28 (from the European Union)
The Ambassador of the European Community pays a visit to LDP Secretary-General YAMASAKI Taku

Mr. Bernhard Zepter, who became European Union Ambassador in October, paid a visit to the office of LDP Secretary-General Yamasaki Taku on November 28th. During the meeting, Secretary-General Yamasaki reminisced about the time he spent as a young man in Europe. In particular, he talked about his experiences in Germany, Ambassador Zepter's home country. Secretary-General Yamasaki also expressed his opinion that "a greater effort should be made to increase and strengthen interaction between Japan and the European Union." Ambassador Zepter responded by explaining that "Chairman [of the European Union Commission] Prodi is extremely interested in improving the EU's relationship with Japan. I certainly hope to contribute to this in whatever way I can."