Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > May 18, 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: Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 3:03 p.m.
Place: MOFA Press Conference Room

Main topics:

  1. Opening Remarks
    • (1) Trilateral Meeting among the Foreign Ministers of Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea
    • (2) Visit to Japan by Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China
    • (3) Visit to Japan by US Secretary of State Clinton
    • (4) Easing of Visa Requirements for Chinese Tourists
  2. Visit to Japan by US Secretary of State Clinton
  3. Easing of Visa Requirements for Chinese Tourists
  4. The Four Northern Territory Islands Non-Visa Exchange Program
  5. US Military Realignment Issue
  6. Japan-China Foreign Minister’s Meeting (Urging China to Reduce Its Nuclear Arsenal)
  7. Outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease
  8. South Korean Patrol Ship Sinking Incident
  9. Visit to Japan by Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Trilateral Meeting among the Foreign Ministers of Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea

Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada: My first announcement is about the Trilateral Meeting among the Foreign Ministers of Japan, the People’s Republic of China, and the Republic of Korea. We held this meeting at this time to smooth out rough edges in preparation for the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit, which is two weeks away. At the same time, I believe that my South Korean counterpart and I were able to conduct a meaningful exchange of views centering on the issue of concluding an FTA between Japan and South Korea and the issue of dealing with the ship sinking incident. I feel that my Chinese counterpart and I achieved success in that to a certain extent we mutually confirmed the necessity of creating a crisis management system with regard to nuclear-related issues and sea-related issues. However, with regard to dangerous acts by a Chinese helicopter or the fact that Chinese ships persistently pursued a Japan Coast Guard ship that was conducting a survey in an area to the east side of the median line and thereby made it difficult for the Japanese ship to continue conducting the survey, my Chinese counterpart and I completely failed to reach an agreement concerning Japan’s assertions, shall I say, or there was a difference of opinion between us. Therefore, with regard to this point, we still need to conduct thorough debates, moving forward. Of course, I lodged a protest, but the situation is that we have yet to settle this matter. In any case, I feel that it was very good that we were able to frankly exchange views at this time.

(2) Visit to Japan by Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China

Minister: (My next announcement is about) the visit to Japan by Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. He is scheduled to visit Japan as a distinguished guest for an Official Working Visit from May 30 to June 1. During his stay, he is scheduled to be received in audience by His Majesty the Emperor and engage in such activities as holding meetings with Prime Minister Hatoyama and dignitaries from various circles. On the occasion of President Hu Jintao’s visit to Japan in May 2008, Japan and China agreed in principle on annual reciprocal visits by the top leaders of the two countries. (Premier Wen’s) latest visit to Japan is a part of that agreement. It is hoped that through Premier Wen’s visit, China will further deepen its understanding of Japan.

(3) Visit to Japan by US Secretary of State Clinton

Minister: US Secretary of State Clinton will visit Japan on the 21st of May. She is scheduled to meet with me and hold talks, among other things. As I also spoke about it at the Diet, we are scheduled to discuss such matters as the issue of dealing with the ship sinking incident and the issue of Iran’s suspected nuclear program. If you ask me whether we have any plans to take up the Futenma issue, I believe that we will most likely exchange views over this issue, but those two issues I mentioned earlier are priority issues.

(4) Easing of Visa Requirements for Chinese Tourists

Minister: While this has become quite a faded matter of some sort, it has been decided that visa requirements for Chinese tourists will be eased starting on the 1st of July. Group tours of Chinese citizens to Japan for sightseeing have been carried out since September 2000. In addition to this, we have been issuing visas to individual tourists to enable smaller groups of people to tour Japan more freely since July 2009. We have recently decided to ease the criteria for issuing visas to individual tourists. The major changes include the three following points. First, diplomatic establishments where visa applications are taken will be expanded from three offices to seven offices. This means that visa applications will be accepted at all diplomatic establishments in mainland China. Secondly, the number of travel agencies handling (Chinese tourists) will be increased from 48 companies to 290 companies. Thirdly, visas will be issued to people with certain occupational status or sufficient economic resources. Specifically, this refers to such people as middle-ranking executives of firms and government agencies. As a result of the recent decision to ease the visa requirements, it is expected that people-to-people exchanges between Japan and China in the field of tourism will become more active. Diverse articles have been published with regard to the criteria for issuing visas, but this is all that will be disclosed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The rest concerns internal regulations, so it is truly regrettable that such articles have been published. While I think we need to conduct thorough investigations to find out where such articles came from, these internal regulations rightfully belong within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and they have never been released, so it is very deplorable.

2. Visit to Japan by US Secretary of State Clinton

Nezu, NHK: I would like to ask a question in relation to Secretary of State Clinton’s visit to Japan. You said earlier that the main (topic of discussion) would be the North Korean issue.

Minister: I did not say North Korea.

Nezu, NHK: You are to exchange views on the issue of dealing with the South Korean ship sinking incident, the Iranian nuclear issue, and the Futenma issue, but with regard to the Futenma issue, there are less than two weeks before the end of May. During your meeting with Secretary of State Clinton, how do you intend to gain US understanding of the Japanese government’s plan, or going a step further, are you planning to aim at achieving some kind of an agreement to a certain extent? Please tell us about your thoughts on this.

Minister: At the moment, Japan and the United States are holding consultations and exchanging views on the Futenma issue at various levels. Of course, we need to consult on the substance, but there are also various points on which we need to discuss. However, the talks have been proceeding smoothly, shall I say, or at least, they have been moving forward. Therefore, I do not think that the top officials, or in other words, Secretary of State Clinton and I, have to abruptly make a decision on something.

Nezu, NHK: How about seeking understanding on the final Futenma relocation plan that is currently being worked out within the government?

Minister: As I have been saying, discussions are being held between Japan and the United States at various levels, so I believe that the details are naturally being sent up to Secretary of State Clinton. Therefore, my understanding is that we are not at the stage where the top officials have to negotiate on some matter.

Takimoto, Ryukyu Shimpo: In connection with the Futenma issue, what are you presuming in referring to the stage where top officials have to hold discussions? Does the fact that arrangements are currently being worked out by working-level officials or at various levels mean that when it eventually comes up to the top level, the top officials have to hold discussions on it, or does it mean that an agreement will be concluded upon (the top officials) simply signing it?

Minister: I do not know. However, at the moment, the situation is not such that matters will not move forward unless the top officials take some concrete action. In fact, there is still some time before Secretary of State Clinton arrives, so I cannot say with certainty how the situation will be then, but at the moment, this is how it is.

Koyama, Freelance: Is the US side saying that Tokunoshima Island is satisfactory?

Minister: I cannot speak about specific matters.

Koyama, Freelance: I have heard that the US side considers Tokunoshima Island to be a problem. The Marine Corps consists of various units, and it cannot function properly unless its vessel unit, aircraft unit, infantry unit, artillery unit, and logistics unit operate together. Does it mean that if one of those units is moved to Tokunoshima Island, the Marine Corps cannot function? What do you think of this?

Minister: There are various media reports, but I think I should refrain from speaking about specific matters that are being worked out between Japan and the United States.

Beppu, NHK: How do you position Secretary of State Clinton’s visit to Japan in terms of the efforts that the government has been making toward settling (the Futenma issue) by the end of May? In other words, do you feel that the visit comes at a good time in terms of the efforts being made toward achieving a settlement by the end of May? Also, please tell us what we should visualize as a settlement between Japan and the United States.

Minister: She is not coming to Japan because of the Futenma issue. Let me make that clear. Of course, since she is coming, we will likely talk about Futenma. However, she is coming because there are more important matters. As to what those important matters are, I spoke about them earlier.

Beppu, NHK: I have completely no understanding regarding the image of a settlement between Japan and the United States. Please tell me what kind of image I should visualize.

Minister: Since the end of May is very close, I will not speak about specific matters. Since various cabinet ministers have been exerting utmost efforts, I have never spoken about specific matters all this time.

Yoshino, TV Asahi: Perhaps this question is redundant, but with a meeting between the Japanese Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of State being positioned amid a situation in which a settlement by the end of May is envisioned, while the government is trying to work out some kind of a conclusion by the end of May, I do not quite understand the situation in which you and your counterpart will be meeting at this point, yet no decision will be made in particular by the two top officials. How should I perceive this? Does it mean that an agreement will emerge in which the Japanese Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of State do not have to reach an agreement by the end of May?

Minister: I have never said that. I merely said that at the moment, we are not at a stage where we have to negotiate on something. This means that it will be fine as long as negotiations, shall I say, or discussions are conducted at various levels. If some points of contention remain at the end and they need to be resolved at a higher level, that may become necessary, but I believe that this will likely not be the case at the time of the visit (by the US Secretary of State).

Nezu, NHK:  I believe that working-level officials at the division chief level have been holding talks in Tokyo this week, and after this, I think that deputy director-general level talks will be held, but shall I take it that, for example, during your upcoming meeting with Secretary of State Clinton, you will not be concluding a number of accords on matters that are to be discussed at the deputy director-general level talks?

Minister: It is not the appropriate time yet. Secretary of State Clinton is not timing her visit to coincide with that. I think you should reset your way of thinking.

Shimada, Magazine X: With regard to Secretary of State Clinton’s visit to Japan, you mentioned that the Iranian issue is also (one of the priority issues to be discussed). I saw reports the other day that Turkey and one other country, I am quite certain, have agreed to carry out the exchange of Iran’s uranium fuel. Will you be making any comments on this?

Minister: They are Turkey and Brazil. First of all, with regard to the plan that has been agreed on, I appreciate the efforts made by Brazil and Turkey, as Japan has previously made a similar proposal, as far as I have confirmed. However, Iran has steadily continued enrichment operations to achieve 20% enrichment during this time, and even if a part of it were to be transferred overseas as a result of this agreement, it appears that Iran is talking about this under the premise that it will not halt its enrichment operations toward achieving 20% enrichment. In that case, as debates on sanctions are currently being conducted in the international arena, this agreement will not have any kind of effect on the debates. Iran’s aiming at 20% enrichment is a violation of the IAEA’s recommendations, so in that sense, debates are being conducted in order to stop Iran’s enrichment operations and prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons in the future. Therefore, I believe that the agreement will not directly affect the debates on imposing sanctions.

Kajiwara, NHK: My question is about the Futenma issue that has been taken up so far. I believe that you were speaking about gaining the understanding of the United States by the end of May, but how can we confirm whether Japan has gained that understanding? What sort of image do you visualize?

Minister: Well, I think you can say that we shall have gained the understanding when Japan and the United States come to share some kind of achievement.

Kajiwara, NHK: Will it not be that a confirmation will be made on that point during Secretary of State Clinton’s upcoming visit to Japan?

Minister: No, not yet.

Iwakami, Freelance: With regard to talks with Secretary of State Clinton, will major topics on the agenda such as Iran be discussed in connection with the deepening of the Japan-US alliance? Additionally, is it possible that the issue of the deepening of the Japan-US alliance will be discussed during the upcoming meeting?

Minister: Various debates concerning the deepening of the Japan-US alliance are going on at the working level in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the (revision of) Japan-US security arrangement. As to whether this will be discussed (during the Okada-Clinton meeting), I feel that there is no need to assert that this will not be discussed, but it is not a major topic. However, the Iranian issue as well as the South Korean ship sinking incident are indeed issues on which Japan and the United States must determine how to cooperate and deal with, or in the case of the ship sinking incident, an issue on which Japan, the United States, and South Korea must determine how to cooperate and deal with. As such, I believe that these are matters that indeed put to test the Japan-US alliance itself. The same holds true with regard to Iran. As allies, we, with the international community, must, as a matter of course, cooperate to deal with the suspicion that Iran might try to acquire nuclear weapons. Amid this situation, Japan and the United States will work in unison.

Nishino, Kyodo News: Let me return to the Japan-US foreign ministerial meeting. I would like to ask a question, assuming that I have managed to reset my way of thinking. I understand that you will be discussing the South Korean ship sinking issue and the Iranian nuclear issue because they probably are issues of high interest to the United States. On the other hand, as the Cabinet will be working hard to achieve some kind of settlement on the Futenma issue by the end of May, if you plan to take up the Futenma issue, instead of saying you do not have much to discuss or there is nothing to agree on, please tell us what you, as the Foreign Minister, intend to aim at during the upcoming meeting with Secretary of State Clinton.

Minister: I think that I will be giving a briefing on the current situation, shall I say, or since we should have a mutual understanding, we will make a confirmation, and also speak about the outlook on the direction (that the Futenma issue will be heading).

3. Easing of Visa Requirements for Chinese Tourists

Lee, Hong Kong Phoenix TV: This is in regard to your earlier statement about easing visa requirements for Chinese tourists. You said that you could not mention specific criteria, but I think that there are a very large number of people in China who are interested in visiting Japan. Could you tell us specifically how the range will expand from the prior 250,000 Chinese yuan and if possible, about the concrete conditions (for these visas)?

Minister: The number (of tourists) is posteriori reasoning. We do not issue visas after first deciding how many people will get them, so in this sense it is very difficult to say. However, in the sense of eligibility of individual tourists, we are planning to make about 10 times more people eligible than before; we plan to make about 16 million households eligible. In this sense, if all the eligible are to come, then it would be about 10 times more, and we are hoping for about that.

Lee, Hong Kong Phoenix TV: I think that there are many people in China who want to go to Japan. Could you take this opportunity to state any message that you might have (for them)?

Minister: I would like to say, "Please come. We are looking forward to many visitors." A lot of people from Hong Kong have come to Japan already, and we certainly would be pleased to see that many visitors from mainland China as well.

Nanao, Niconico Video: This is a question from our viewers. Regarding the earlier matter of tourist visas for Chinese nationals, you said earlier that there would be 10 times as many. I sense that even if all the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' establishments in China were to handle this, if the requirements are relaxed then it would be essential to increase staffing. How much would staffing increase, or what is the outlook for increased staffing?

Minister: That is an internal affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so I will not speak about that, but we will take a wide range of measures, including increased staffing. Also, the procedures include things that must be done by a Ministry of Foreign Affairs employee with appropriate authority, and other things that are mechanical. We want to deal with it more efficiently by outsourcing some of those things. I am not saying, however, that there are no doubts as to whether we can handle 10 times the volume all at once, but we would like to see many visitors to Japan, and we will increase staffing appropriately if necessary. Of course, the readiness of the side accepting (the tourists) is also vital. A certain number of people will be coming, and they will be coming as individual tourists, so we want to build a readiness that will enable them to enjoy tourism in Japan, with plenty of information, and including that sort of thing. I think that the Japan Tourism Agency is taking care of this properly, but I think that this sort of thing is also necessary at the same time.

Nishino, Kyodo News: You appear to have been dissatisfied with the media's reporting on this matter.

Minister: Rather than the media, it is the fault of the person who leaked the information. I am not complaining about the people from the media who reported it.

Nishino, Kyodo News: Thank you. Given that, I think that there were many circumstances, but overseas establishments and the issuance of visas are under the authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Would I be correct in understanding that this open-door policy for Chinese tourists was determined by the Office of Tourism Nation Promotion as a policy for the government as a whole, and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reacting with this announcement as the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

Minister: The basic policy has been confirmed by the government as a whole. Based on this, visas were something of an issue among the specific things that are currently creating bottlenecks, and we at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are working to deal with this properly.

Nishino, Kyodo News: The numbers also came out, but what will happen, and when? For example, I think that as part of this, internal regulations will also be changed, but what is the outlook for when the things you mentioned will be implemented?

Minister: The problem of human resources takes a little time, but we are not thinking one year or two years down the road.

Kawasaki, Yomiuri Shimbun: One point of debate about these measures to relax visa requirements at the Working Team for Attracting International Visitors of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) was apparently whether to relax the requirements so that the family of householder, rather than the householder himself, can come to Japan independently if the householder meets certain requirements. I understand that this was a major point of debate, but what went on there?

Minister: Please ask the person in charge about specifics, but we are issuing tourist visas to the families of the householder, even if the householder himself does not accompany them.

Kawasaki, Yomiuri Shimbun: If that is the case, then you explained earlier that 16 million households would be eligible, but would I be correct in understanding that the actual number of eligible people would be greater, because of course this number would be multiplied by the number of people in each family?

Minister: Of course, that is the case. The entire family will not always come, but if we say there are three people to a household, then the number of eligible people will be three times that number.

Lee, Hong Kong Phoenix TV: Apparently, some government ministries and agencies were opposed or cautious about this easing of visa requirements. This matter has been ongoing since last year, but why did you decide to take such major measures to relax requirements over the course of a year? Please tell us the reason for this.

Minister: It is not that there were not any concerns over this. In the past, there have been cases where people enter Japan and then go missing and so on. But looking at the actual numbers, this happens so infrequently that it hardly is a cause for concern. We made the decision after looking at the actual numbers for one year.

Yamamoto, Nihon Keizai Shimbun: I would like to ask what impact you think this relaxation of visa requirements will have on Japan-China relations, and as the middle class in China is growing at a tremendous pace, how much do you think this will grow in the future?

Minister: I think that if people actually come to Japan and see Japan, then a significant number of them will become fans of Japan, and I expect that this will promote their understanding of Japan. This was a fairly drastic measure that we took, but if it is effective, then of course we will consider going a step further. Doing too much all at once could have harmful effects, so we will be going one step at a time, but we are moving fairly quickly, and we have expanded it significantly in one year. If the conditions permit, we would also like to consider that sort of thing.

4. The Four Northern Territory Islands Non-Visa Exchange Program

Shimada, Hokkaido Shimbun: I have a question about non-visa travel. The other day, the first group returned, but when they entered Russia, they were required to submit the port-entry application papers emphasized by the Russians. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not acknowledge this kind of certificate, but I believe that it stated the view that it was inappropriate for the ship's captain to have signed the documents demanded by the Russians. In relation to this, for the second and subsequent groups, I think that it is unfair to demand the ship's captain to make a decision about signing the papers on the spot in that way, but do you have any views on this point?

Minister: It is the understanding of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the format of so-called port-entry application papers was not demanded by Russia, and was also not submitted. However, we instructed them to provide information using the format that we had prepared, because providing certain technical information about the ship in the form of filling out the Russians' documents could cause unnecessary misunderstanding.

Shimada, Hokkaido Shimbun: You just stated that they would submit papers prepared by the Japanese, but have the Russians already agreed to this? Have they already acknowledged this, or have you already discussed this much?

Minister: It is my understanding that this time, they did not demand the submission of anything specific, and there was no specific form, so I do not think that this would cause any kind of trouble.

Shimada, Hokkaido Shimbun: I was told by the shipping company, and the implementing organization that until now, the ship's captain had also signed papers and submitted necessary documents for immigration, customs, quarantine, and so on, but seen from the viewpoint of the implementing organization, there seem to be many ambiguities, and it seems a little difficult to understand. Do you have any plans to draw clear lines here?

Minister: As I said, they are not writing on the other side's forms, so I think that this is a fairly clear standard.

5. US Military Realignment Issue

Koyama, freelance: Earlier, you mentioned the dangerous actions by Chinese vessels. This has been happening frequently lately. Do you see this as bearing no relation to the fact that negotiations between Japan and the United States over Futenma are not going well?

Minister: Essentially, there is no concrete evidence of a relation. Therefore, as I stated before the Diet, I think that lately people are a little too fast to come up with theories that China is behind it whenever something happens. Of course, I think it is good to have wide-ranging discussions, but in general, an extremely typical example of this is the reaction to the fact that the Japanese flag was not displayed at the (Japanese pavilion in) Shanghai expo. One member of the Diet from the opposition said that this was the first time this had happened, and some newspapers reported that this was only Japan. One newspaper also reported that Japan must be fawning on China. I spoke on each of these points individually, but the Japanese flag was not displayed at prior expos when the Liberal Democratic Party was in power either, and that it is not only Japan; many other countries' flags are not displayed, including the United States. Therefore, the question had absolutely no factual basis. I thoroughly rebutted this. Consequently, since the facts are different, I think the media is also speculating without evidence. It is not that I do not feel that this topic has been brought up a little too much. But speaking about this incident of the Japanese flag, if you ask me my personal opinion about the fact that the Japanese flag was not displayed at the Japan pavilion, I think that it should be displayed, and I said this before the Diet as well. I stated that the government has also considered this, and although this is not the decision of the government to make, the government stated that it was appropriate to display it, and the decision of the Japan pavilion was to display it.

Takimoto, Ryukyu Shimpo: This might be slightly related to the question just now, but regarding the presence of the Marines at Futenma, there are arguments that if the Marines pull out of Okinawa, then China will start invading. Although I do not think that this argument reaches the level of debate, and in the relations between Japan and China, the discussion of whether China poses a threat as that side of the debate alleges is a separate matter, I think that both Japan and the United States point out that the problem of China's recent increases in its military capability is lack of transparency there, but what is your view on the argument that the Marines cannot pull out because of the question of what we will do if China invades us, or that China may invade us?

Minister: I am not sure what you mean by "invade," and I think that as much as possible, we should avoid naming specific countries. However, it is clear that China is enhancing its naval capabilities, and as they do so many things that have been pointed out recently, so I would like the Japanese people to understand thoroughly that Japan's security environment is by no means lax. Alternatively, I do not know who is the perpetrator, but in South Korea a warship – and we must wait for the finding of whether it was an accident and the results of the investigation – may have been attacked, and 46 people lost their lives. Based firmly on the fact that these kinds of things are occurring in the vicinity of Japan, since Japan's Self-Defense Forces do not have offensive capabilities, I think if you ask whether the current capabilities of the Self Defense Forces are sufficient to maintain Japan's peace or security, then it should be said that they are not sufficient. Consequently, I think that the presence of the United States forces is vital for the security of Japan.

Takimoto, Ryukyu Shimpo: I also asked this last time, but Hornets from the Iwakuni base armed with munitions believed to be cluster bombs took off from Kadena base in Okinawa, and returned to the base empty. Yesterday and today as well, they took off armed with such munitions and came back without them in the same manner. The United States side says that they cannot respond in detail for operational reasons, but given the fact that Japan has ratified a treaty prohibiting the use of cluster bombs, although the United States is not obligated to not use them because it has not ratified (the treaty), given the suspicion that they were used inside Japan, within Japanese territory, the Kadena town council has decided to lodge a protest on behalf of the local community, stating that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should not just accept without question the explanation of the United States that they cannot respond for operational reasons. In this regard, I think that a further response by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is demanded, but I would like to ask about that point.

Minister: As you say, the United States is not a signatory to this treaty, so it is possible for the United States itself to use them. This time, however, (these munitions) were not used; this was training, so they were not used in actual combat. I therefore think that we should consider these things separately. However, Japan has decided not to use cluster bombs even in training, and especially lately when we are discussing the reduction of Okinawa's burden so much, I think that even if they only used the cluster (munitions) in training, they do not have sufficient understanding of the feelings of the Okinawan people. Since I cannot clearly confirm the facts, I cannot say anything definitive, but I feel that they should have a little more sensitivity, along those lines.

6. Japan-China Foreign Minister’s Meeting (Urging China to Reduce Its Nuclear Arsenal)

Saito, Kyodo News: I would like to ask you a question in relation to China’s military power. You made the following remarks to reporters after the Japan-China foreign minister’s meeting held on the 15th in Gyeongju in South Korea. “President Hu Jintao’s speech at the Nuclear Security Summit was good. However, among the five nuclear powers, China alone is increasing (its nuclear weapons). I made a statement to the effect that we would like China to promise to reduce its nuclear weapons or not make any further increases.” This is what you said to us reporters. Let me ask you here whether you have confirmed objective facts that allow you to affirm that China alone is increasing its nuclear weapons. I am aware that there are such stories found on various web pages and think tanks’ analyses, but I am somewhat uncertain whether the Chinese Government has officially admitted that. Although the international community has pointed out that the PRC’s nuclear policy is not transparent, please point out, if you have objective facts, that China is “increasing” (its nuclear weapons).

Minister: I feel that I should not speak about the contents, shall I say, or things like that. However, I have never heard China say that it “is not increasing” (its nuclear weapons). While the Chinese side has said various things during the exchanges they had with me, they never made a statement that China has not been increasing (its nuclear weapons).

Saito, Kyodo News: I take it that you “will not speak about individual, specific cases.” I understand that it is natural if they have to do with intelligence. What I would like to confirm then is whether it is all right to understand that although you cannot make it public, you have relevant data or analytic information indicating that China is undoubtedly increasing (its nuclear weapons). In other words, may I understand that you have no doubts about that?

Minister: I feel that I should not make any comments, including on those matters. With regard to what I have pointed out, however, the Chinese side has not pointed out that “that is wrong” or that “it is not true that China is increasing” (its nuclear weapons).

Minister: In addition, while the spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said various things about what Mr. Saito (of Kyodo News) spoke about earlier, I would like to say that their claims, that they were irresponsible remarks or that they are disregarding the facts, are groundless. Issues like this issue of nuclear disarmament essentially require calm, serious discussions, and we intend to continue doing such things properly.

7. Outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Shimada, Magazine X: With regard to the foot-and-mouth disease, it was reported on the 7th of this month that the virus of foot-and-mouth disease could be of South Korea or Hong Kong strain. Imports from South Korea were resumed in September last year, only to be banned again in January this year. Does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have any role in dealing with the outbreak of infectious diseases overseas from the standpoint of trade?

Minister: Although we do not know where it (the foot-and-mouth disease) came from, I feel that the important thing, as the government and Miyazaki Prefecture are currently working on it, is to exert utmost efforts so that it will not spread.

8. South Korean Patrol Ship Sinking Incident

Nezu, NHK: As the South Korean patrol ship sinking incident is to be a major topic on the agenda of the Japan-US foreign ministerial meeting, South Korea is expected to disclose the results of its investigations as early as on the 20th, but how does the government or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs intend to respond upon acknowledging the investigation results, and how do you intend to discuss the issue of “Japan-US-South Korea cooperation alliance” with Secretary of State Clinton? Please tell us about your outlook with regard to such matters as, for example, involving the UN Security Council, a matter that is apparently being studied within South Korean Government.

Minister: Since the results of the investigations have yet to be disclosed, I feel that we should not discuss the matter too much on the basis of assumptions. However, I do believe that the parties concerned should mutually ensure that communications among them – between Japan and South Korea, between Japan and the United States, or between the United States and South Korea – are maintained properly, so that it can be determined that “in such a case, this is what should be done.” In any case, I think that 46 persons were killed and if it is determined that this was not an accident, the situation would be very serious. I believe that Japan, for its part, needs to take the most appropriate countermeasures from the standpoint of protecting the lives and property of the Japanese people.

Saito, Kyodo News: My question is related to South Korean patrol ship sinking incident. As we reporters engage in coverage of various matters, we have been doing coverage on the sinking incident with an awareness of the significance of this incident or its future outlook, but if we think back and look at it from the perspective of the general public, I feel that the people feel very sorrowful that a ship has sunk and 46 persons have died. However, my understanding is that there is something that keeps things from easily falling into place, considering why the government is holding consultations with South Korea and the United States at this time with such a sense of urgency and whether it will be conveyed to the news media that depending on circumstances, there may emerge a phase when it may become necessary to make a big decision. I would appreciate if you can tell us, once again at this place, about your thoughts from a somewhat comprehensive perspective, shall I say, or an overall viewpoint, on why the South Korean patrol ship sinking incident is such a serious matter, why Japan needs to fully support South Korea, and why Japan needs to collaborate with the United States.

Minister: While the investigation results have yet to be disclosed, I would like to say that our premise is that Japan itself needs to thoroughly verify the matter and be convinced. If we then come up with investigation results that can be considered as being valid from an objective standpoint, that would be very serious depending on the contents. In other words, if the sinking incident was not an accident and it was instead caused by an intentional act – the fact is that a South Korean military ship sank and 46 persons died – if someone was involved in that, I think you can understand the seriousness of the matter if you give it a little thought. It is not clear why it happened. However, you cannot rule out the possibility that the same thing can happen again. Amid this situation, we need to respond appropriately. We must respond appropriately so that it will not happen.

9. Visit to Japan by Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China

Sakamaki, Bloomberg News: With regard to Japan-China relations, what kind of results do you expect to achieve through Premier Wen Jiabao’s latest visit to Japan amid a situation when there are various outstanding issues such as the incident in which a Chinese helicopter flew close to a Self-Defense Force ship and nuclear weapons-related issues?

Minister: The relations between Japan and China are basically very good. I feel that the bilateral relations have deepened. During the meeting with my Chinese counterpart, I took up what you just mentioned. What we intend to do is to properly resolve these outstanding issues that are right in front of us, one by one. My basic position is that by doing so, we should work to deepen the bilateral relations and resolve those outstanding issues that are in front of us without putting them on the backburner. Basically, those things should be properly dealt with at the foreign ministerial level. Of course, it is also important to discuss outstanding issues at the summit level, but I feel that discussions (at the summit level) should be more future-oriented, centering on how we can carry out mutual cooperation.

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