On the morning of August 30, DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a Tokyo hotel during her visit to Japan and exchanged opinions regarding anti-terrorism, measures to prevent global warming and other issues.

In the meeting, Ozawa welcomed Merkel, and pointed out that while in post-war Germany, the debate regarding the nation窶冱 international contribution had deepened, that had still not happened in Japan. He expressed the opinion that it was necessary to create clear rules for dispatch of troops, and that Japan should be actively involved in operations authorized by the United Nations. He went on to say that if the DPJ were to take power, the party would naturally favour active participation by Japan, and explained the party position on international contributions including those involving anti-terrorism.

In response, Merkel said that many countries should be involved in anti-terrorism, and that if Japan sought to increase her diplomatic and international contribution, she should correspondingly take greater responsibility.

Ozawa also stated that the US [anti-terrorism] operations in Afghanistan have not been directly authorized by the United Nations.

Regarding post Kyoto Protocol measures to prevent global warming, Ozawa said that the root of the problem lay in the Bush administration. He criticised the US attitude to the Kyoto Protocol and said that until the US changed her policies it would be impossible to persuade China and developing nations to take measures.

In response, Merkel said that a change is visible in the attitude of the US Senate, and expressed the opinion that cooperation between Germany and Japan on global environmental issues is important, to which Ozawa agreed.

The meeting was also attended by DPJ Next Minister of Foreign Affairs Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi, and Director-General of the Executive Office Tenzo Okumura.

(07/08/30)