(* This is a provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only. The original text is in Japanese.)

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Hirofumi Nakasone

Date: Friday, February 20, 2009, 8:49 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

Opening Statement: Visit to Japan by Mr. Felipe Ramon Perez Roque, Minister of Foreign Relations of the Republic of Cuba
Japan-Russian Federation Relations

1. Opening Statement: Visit to Japan by Mr. Felipe Ramon Perez Roque, Minister of Foreign Relations of the Republic of Cuba

Minister:
Mr. Felipe Ramon Perez Roque, Minister of Foreign Relations of the Republic of Cuba, will visit Japan from March 7 to March 10 as an official guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I am set to have talks with Mr. Perez on March 9. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, and I intend to discuss a variety of matters with Mr. Perez.

Related Information (Press Release)

2. Japan-Russian Federation Relations

Question:
A Japan-Russia Summit Meeting took place on March 18 in Sakhalin, at which there was talk of a new approach to resolving the issue of the Northern Territories. Some people are of the view that perhaps the talks were not fully committed to the return of the four islands. What are your thoughts on this new approach?

Minister:
The Government of Japan has been consistent about its existing policy, and I believe that the talks that took place at the recent Summit Meeting were also in keeping with that policy. I think that this time various discussions took place for the swift resolution of the issue of the sovereignty of the islands. What is important is that meetings continue to be held at the summit level going forward, and I think the meeting was positive in that we are exploring the possibility of a summit meeting at the finance summit on April 2 in London and that there was talk of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visiting Japan in May.

Question:
In the Russian press, in response to the recent visit to Sakhalin by Prime Minister Aso, apparently there were reports that it has been confirmed that sovereignty of Sakhalin lies with Russia. What are your thoughts on this?

Minister:
Prime Minister visited Sakhalin for the purpose of attending a ceremony at a Russian LNG plant, and this visit does not constitute confirmation that the region is Russian territory.

Question:
Has there been any change to Japan's basic policy of concluding a peace treaty after the issue of the attribution of the four islands has been resolved?

Minister:
We will first of all thoroughly discuss their attribution, and the most important thing for Japan is that it is firmly determined that the Northern Territories are the territories of Japan. It is exactly the same as has been said in the past.

Question:
There have been various declarations and documents, but will Japan continue to move forward with negotiations with these as the premise?

Minister:
Yes, that is correct.

Question:
The Prime Minister has stated that a resolution will never be reached with Russia saying two islands and Japan saying four islands. What did he mean by that statement?

Minister:
I think that there is no difference between Japan's policy and the Prime Minister's views. Perhaps he meant that a political decision needs to be made and that no progress will be made with Japan saying four islands and Russia saying two islands.

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