Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > April 23, 2010

(* 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 Katsuya Okada

Date: Friday, April 23, 2010, 3:00 p.m.
Place: MOFA Press Conference Room

Main topics:

  1. Opening Remarks
    • (1) Visit to Sasebo City
    • (2) Recognition of the Government of the Republic of Honduras
    • (3) Appeal against Judgment on Lawsuit to Overturn Ruling against Disclosure of Documents
  2. Appeal against Judgment on Lawsuit to Overturn Ruling against Disclosure of Documents
  3. Visit to Sasebo City
  4. US Military Realignment Issue
  5. Government Revitalization Unit (review of projects)
  6. Situation in Thailand
  7. Approach toward JMSDF Destroyer by Chinese Naval Helicopter
  8. Overseas Travel during "Golden Week" Holidays
  9. Suspected Plagiarism in Shanghai Expo Theme Song

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Visit to Sasebo City

Minister: I have three announcements. First, I have decided to visit Sasebo tomorrow. Following my visit to Yokosuka two weeks ago, I plan to exchange views with Mayor Norio Tomonaga of Sasebo City and give a substantial briefing (about the so-called secret agreements), in particular because in the process of clarifying the secret agreements, we have aroused various kinds of anxieties among the people of Sasebo City. At the same time, I plan to observe the naval facility, the US military’s naval facility, in Sasebo.

(2) Recognition of the Government of the Republic of Honduras

Minister: During today’s Cabinet meeting, I spoke about (Japan’s) relations with the Government of the Republic of Honduras. A coup d’état broke out in the Republic of Honduras in June 2009, but as a result of a presidential election held on November 29, 2009 through a democratic process, President Porfirio Lobo (Sosa) was elected.
   We have so far paid close attention to developments in the situation in the Republic of Honduras. I stated (during the Cabinet meeting) that we would notify the Honduran Foreign Ministry via the Japanese Embassy in Honduras on Japan’s intention to continue friendly relations with Honduras in a letter dated April 23 expressing our congratulations to the new president and the new foreign minister.

(3) Appeal against Judgment on Lawsuit to Overturn Ruling against Disclosure of Documents

Minister: I already announced this yesterday, but (my next announcement) is about an appeal against the judgment on the lawsuit to overturn the ruling against the disclosure of documents. As I explained here at the previous press conference, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for its part, conducted surveys, including interviews with those concerned, in the process of investigating this secret agreement issue. A thorough internal investigation was also conducted, but no applicable documents were found among documents possessed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We tried to explain that we conducted thorough investigations, but oral proceedings were concluded without our being given the opportunity to do so, and the judgment was handed down without taking into account the results of our thorough investigations. Moreover, we decided to appeal because we cannot make a disclosure if we are asked to disclose something we do not have. This is an appeal by the government, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
   However, the committee investigating the issue of missing foreign diplomatic documents, for which I serve as the chairman, is currently conducting an investigation, including interviews with the people concerned, on the issue of missing diplomatic documents related to the so-called secret agreements, once again. The results (of that investigation) will be reflected in the trial moving forward.
   I believe that although the direction we are aiming at is basically the same as that of the plaintiffs, it is reasonable, should I say, to appeal against that verdict, so the government has decided to appeal against the judgment, as we cannot show what we do not have.

2. Appeal against Judgment on Lawsuit to Overturn Ruling against Disclosure of Documents

Nishino, Kyodo News: You just said that the direction you are aiming at is basically the same as that of the plaintiffs, but could you explain that in slightly more concrete terms?

Minister: We strongly believe in the need to properly disclose the documents, excluding some exceptions, so we will conduct thorough investigations to confirm whether the documents exist. It is the same in that we will uncover the truth.

Kamide, Freelance: Indeed, just as you stated, the view of the minister of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications, as the minister related to the freedom of speech, is that the direction that (the government) is aiming at is the same as that of the plaintiffs. As a matter of fact, I had the opportunity to speak the other day with Mr. Nishiyama, who said something to the effect that the Democratic Party of Japan likely will not file an appeal that would be tantamount to denying itself. In this case, I do feel that, from your standpoint, it is certainly technically conceivable in a trial to file an appeal. However, I feel that this may be somewhat inconsistent with the spirit of the DPJ in that it could erase a kind of long-awaited historical verdict. This kind of message is missing. Could you please explain, within the scope of what you are aware of, how Prime Minister (Yukio) Hatoyama has reacted to (filing) an appeal or what his opinion is on this matter, along with you own opinions?

Minister: I have not heard of the Prime Minister’s opinion. However, anybody can see that this judgment calls for presenting something that does not exist, so if we accept this judgment, we will have to present something. Therefore, it is fine if these documents do exist, but it is impossible to present what we do not have. I feel that anyone who knows a little about laws would know that there is no choice but to file an appeal.

3. Visit to Sasebo City

Uesugi, Freelance: My question is about your visit to Sasebo tomorrow. May I take that during the visit, you will be observing the US Navy and during your meeting with the mayor of Sasebo City, you will be discussing the Futenma issue?

Minister: There will be no discussion on the Futenma issue. I have no plans to do so. This is not the issue of Futenma, but here are US Marine Corps landing ships in Sasebo. I would like to observe them a little if possible.

4. US Military Realignment Issue

Noguchi, Mainichi Newspapers: With regard to the Futenma issue, US Assistant Secretary of State (Kurt) Campbell will be visiting Japan next week. The US side has indicated awareness that Japan’s proposal is not an official proposal. What is your perception of whether there is an environment for (Japan and the United States) to enter into working-level talks on the occasion of Assistant Secretary of State Campbell’s visit?

Minister: I have been watching the news reports with a slight sense of doubt, but I do not know whether (the Futenma issue) will be on the agenda, as although Assistant Secretary of State Campbell is directly involved in this matter, this is not necessarily the reason for his visit. The question you just asked is about something beyond that. I think that you are looking a little too far ahead.

Nakaima, Ryukyu Shimpo: Governor (Hirotaka) Nakaima has decided to participate in a prefectural mass rally to be held on Sunday in Okinawa to express opposition to relocation of (Futenma Air Station) to another site within the prefecture. Please tell us your thoughts on this.

Minister: I am not aware that the governor has decided to do so. Did he himself say so?

Nakaima, Ryukyu Shimpo: (He said so) during his press conference today.

Minister: That is the first time I heard that.

Nakaima, Ryukyu Shimpo: (The governor) announced this during his press conference, but as you apparently just learned about it now, how do you feel, now that you know about it?

Minister: Since that is the governor’s decision, I feel that it is not a matter on which I should make any comments.

Higa, Kyodo News: With regard to the governor’s participation in the mass rally, what kind of impact do you think the fact that the governor will participate in the rally and that the rally is to be held tomorrow will have on Japan-US negotiations moving forward?

Minister: At the moment, I cannot predict what kind of mass rally it will turn out to be, so it is difficult to make any comments, but in any case, it means that the people of Okinawa have expressed their will. However, since that could change depending on the scale of the mass rally, that will may not be the will of all the Okinawan people. Nevertheless, it means that a certain public opinion has been expressed, so I feel that we must take it seriously.

5. Government Revitalization Unit (review of projects)

Shimada, Magazine X: A review of (government) projects (to cut wasteful spending) began today, and a review of JICA projects was going on just a while ago. There were some Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel in the public gallery, and they were being prompted not to enter the public gallery and told to get out. Were these MOFA personnel in the public gallery as part of their duty?

Minister: I do not know. However, I think that it is important to get a grasp of what kind of debate went on, so I do not feel that there is anything strange about seeing personnel participating in one way or another, leaving aside the question of whether it is proper for them to be in the public gallery.

6. Situation in Thailand

Nezu, NHK: Since last night, there have been a series of explosions in the Thai capital of Bangkok, and there appear to have been injuries. I would like to ask about the latest situation. Also, clashes with anti-Thai government demonstrators have continued for about two weeks; I would also like to ask what kind of response the Government of Thailand is requesting of the Government of Japan.

Minister: I will have my office staff brief you on the facts if necessary. Since Japanese citizens have also been injured, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will do its utmost to prevent these clashes from being prolonged, and to prevent impact on the safety of Japanese citizens. As these types of continued clashes also impact the Thai economy, I hope that the parties will make strong efforts.

Nezu, NHK: You just now said that Japanese citizens have been injured. Do you have information that (these) people have been injured?

Minister: I heard that an individual was slightly injured in the nose.

Nezu, NHK: One person?

Minister: Yes.

7. Approach toward JMSDF Destroyer by Chinese Naval Helicopter

Saito, Kyodo News: I have a question about the issue of a Chinese naval shipboard helicopter approaching a Maritime Self-Defense Force warship. According to a statement by Defense Minister Kitazawa at today's press conference, the Chinese explained through diplomatic channels that they took necessary defensive action in response to Japanese patrol activities. I would like to ask your views on whether there was some deficiency in the Japanese patrol activities, or whether there was some reason for the Chinese to take the actions that they did; additionally, I would like to ask whether you essentially agree with or understand the response from the Chinese.

Minister: It is a fact that the Japanese were conducting necessary monitoring, or shall we say observation, but these actions were not particularly dangerous, nor were they illegal. We obviously see it as problematic that they conducted an extremely dangerous approach in response to this, and Japan has lodged a protest. I have heard this explanation from the Chinese, but we are not necessarily satisfied by this, and I think that we must have a more grounded exchange of views.

Ishikawa, Yomiuri Shimbun: Regarding the matters of this Chinese naval helicopter and the oceanographic survey near Takeshima Island by Korea, I believe that the Government of Japan has lodged protests with both countries, but I think that the Hatoyama government has been wary of both of these East Asian countries. What are your views on the background in these two countries, which caused these incidents to occur now?

Minister: I can only conjecture about the background in particular, but I do not think that anything special is going on. Also, you said that the Hatoyama government has been wary, but I think that the response to, for example, Takeshima by the Hatoyama government is essentially no different from the response by earlier governments. I think that you are reading too much into it.

8. Overseas Travel during "Golden Week" Holidays

Takahashi, Asahi Shimbun: At yesterday's committee meeting, it was questioned whether your overseas trip during the Golden Week holidays would be appropriate, in the midst of negotiations between the United States and Japan. I would like to ask for your response to this, and your views on the concern that negotiations between the United States and Japan will stop.

Minister: I have made an overall determination on this. Firstly, the question viewed travel to Africa itself very lightly, and so I made a somewhat strong counterargument. The follow-up conference to TICAD IV will likely be a gathering of more than 20 Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Development. I objected strongly to the idea of treating this so lightly. It is an extremely important conference. Given that, although I do not yet know how the issue of Futenma will develop between Japan and the United States, of course I can return to Japan early or take other measures if it is necessary as part of an overall determination, and in this situation I may make that determination. I can in no way accept, however, that idea that just because it is Africa, it is all right (to not go).

Nishino, Kyodo News: People's New Party Diet Affairs Committee Chairman (Mikio) Shimoji said that he made the same statement to the Prime Minister. I believe that the Diet must approve overseas trips by ministers; has the trip to TICAD been officially decided, or is coordination within the government, with the Diet, and so on still not complete? What is the status of this process?

Minister: Coordination is still ongoing.

Saito, Kyodo News: Getting away from the Diet, I think that interest in Africa is increasing a great deal internationally, for example by China, Korea, and the EU. China is providing many forms of economic cooperation and assistance to Africa, and although this may be in the context of resource diplomacy, it is quite active. Amidst these circumstances, I think that it is natural that Japan would also increase its focus on, and interest in Africa. As various countries are moving into Africa, please describe the features of Japan's strategy for Africa, what the benefits are for Africa, and whether there are benefits for Japan, especially based on the desiderata for TICAD.

Minister: Although I think that there are many approaches, Japan hosted TICAD in Yokohama, and there made a basic pledge on aid to Africa. Rather than being made from the standpoint of resource diplomacy or the like, this was a pledge by Japan on how it would contribute to the MDGs (millennium development goals). Although I think that various countries have their own methods of providing aid, I think that Africa looks very highly on our perspective of doing a proper job of what needs doing, beyond the interests of Japan. In addition, there are also matters such as securing resources and contributing to Africa's economic growth, but I think that Japan's attitude of, for example, focusing on maternal and child health, and education for children, is widely accepted and praised in Africa.

9. Suspected Plagiarism in Shanghai Expo Theme Song

Shimada, Magazine X: There are suspicions that the theme song of the Shanghai Expo copies the song of a Japanese singer, and in the past there have been many suspected cases of plagiarism of intellectual property in Japan. Will the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodge a protest with the Government of China or make some kind of statement to them? I have been told that every diplomatic mission abroad has an official in charge of intellectual property, but I would like to ask what kinds of activities they engage in.

Minister: I do not know the details of the present matter of the Expo, but it is my understanding that the Chinese told the owner of the copyright to the original work that (the theme song) was derived from that they were going to use that song. This decision was extremely rapid, and in a sense, they showed an attitude of respecting copyrights. In a sense, they recognized their error and showed an attitude of protecting copyright holders, and of protecting copyrights. In this sense, I personally think that this incident will solidly communicate the importance of protecting copyright to the world. Certainly, infringement of intellectual property rights still occurs in China. We have already noted this at the diplomatic level, and although there are limits because there is so much of it, when we find incidents we will take them up. I think that recently, the Government of China has also increasingly protected (these rights) itself, and I recognize that they are starting to take on the issue seriously.

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