Japan's Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka stressed Tuesday at a press conference in Tokyo that the Japanese government will certainly make great efforts for China's peaceful reunification.

In view of the successful return of Hong Kong, it is a good way to settle the Taiwan issue like that. Not only Japan, but also the whole world should strive for China's peaceful reunification, she said.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said that the Japanese side continues to maintain its stand on the Taiwan issue set forth in the Japan-China Joint Declaration and reiterates its understanding that there is one China. And Japan continues its principle that China's mainland and Taiwan Province should negotiate a peaceful way to settle the Taiwan issue.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi also confirmed that Japan FM Makiko Tanaka's stand on supporting China's peaceful reunification is identical with the Japanese government.

( December 26, 2001)