(* 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, August 24, 2010, 3:13 p.m.
Place: MOFA Press Conference Room

Main topics:

Opening Remarks
- (1) Visits to India and Thailand
- (2) Visits to China and Mongolia and Participation in Third Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue
US Military Realignment Issue
Northern Territories Issue
North Korean Affairs (Former US President Carter's Visit to North Korea and Six-Party Talks)
Prime Minister's Statement on 100th Anniversary of Japan's Annexation of Korea
Japan's Security Policy
Visits to China and Mongolia and Participation in Third Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue
Joint Historical Study between Japan and South Korea
Sexual Exploitation of Children and Regulations on Expression
Advisory Panel of Experts on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
Assistance to Afghanistan
Entry of Outside Aircraft to Kadena Air Base
Japan-India Nuclear Energy Agreement
Economic Measures
Meeting of Foreign Affairs Subcommittee of DPJ Policy Research Committee

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Visits to India and Thailand

Minister Okada: My first announcement is about my visits to India and Thailand. Broadly speaking, there were three major issues I discussed in India with Minister of External Affairs Krishna and Prime Minister Singh. One of these was economic issues, another was nuclear energy cooperation, and the third was the UN Security Council (UNSC) reform.
   In discussing economic issues, we confirmed that we would try to conclude negotiations on an economic partnership agreement (EPA) by the time of Prime Minister Singh’s visit to Japan. At the same time, with regard to what I had in mind concerning economic issues, I proposed that Japan and India hold ministerial-level talks on economic issues similar to the talks scheduled in China this weekend. The Indian side is to study this proposal.
   With regard to civil nuclear energy cooperation, I said this at the previous press conference, but putting aside the question of how to put it down in writing or whether to write it down, Japan would have no choice but to suspend cooperation in case India conducts nuclear tests. Putting aside the question of whether to put it down in writing, this is not what I told the Indian side. It is a fact that if India conducts nuclear tests, we cannot help but suspend cooperation. Of course, I told them that I do not think that this would happen because India has voluntarily suspended its nuclear tests at the moment. At the same time, upon appreciating the efforts that India has so far made toward disarmament and non-proliferation, I proposed expressing the concept of disarmament and non-proliferation in the agreement in some form. In response, the Indian side reiterated its commitment to the nuclear test moratorium and the “pledge and action” plan.
   With regard to the UNSC reform, we confirmed that Japan and India, which are G4 members, would aim at reforming the UNSC through close cooperation.
   In addition, I observed some economic cooperation projects in India such as that involving the metro system. I then visited Thailand, where I met with Foreign Minister Kasit and Prime Minister Abhisit and asked them to further conduct a thorough investigation into the case of Japanese journalist Mr. Muramoto, who was killed amid the turmoil in Bangkok, and further reveal the facts concerning the case. In addition, since many small and medium-sized (Japanese) companies were forced to stop their business operations or their stores were burned down during the turmoil, I asked the Thai leaders to provide appropriate care to these companies. Next, there is the Map Ta Phut issue. This is an issue in which operations at an industrial estate remains stalled due to the problem of pollution. There is also the issue of cooperation in the Mekong region. I made various comments concerning such matters as relations with Cambodia. However, one thing about Thailand is that it is basically a country with a long history of friendship with Japan.
   Secondly, Thailand is also very important to Japan, as Japanese companies have advanced into that country, with increased accumulation centering on the automobile industry in particular. I went on an observation tour of Toyota’s latest automobile plant there.
   Thirdly, among ASEAN countries, Thailand is very important to Japan as a democratic nation where democracy is basically functioning properly, even though various things have been happening there recently. We confirmed that Japan and Thailand must cooperate and work hard to promote democracy within ASEAN.
   That is all I have on India and Thailand. Japan and India have agreed to hold strategic dialogue between their foreign ministers once a year, and while a year has passed since I became foreign minister, this has finally taken place. As for Thailand, a Japanese foreign minister has not visited that country for five years, and that surprised me. However, in terms of cities, Bangkok ranks next to Shanghai as a city with the largest number of Japanese residents. Considering Thailand’s importance, I feel that there should be more frequent visits.

(2) Visits to China and Mongolia and Participation in Third Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue

Minister: Next, with regard to my visits to China and Mongolia, as well as my participation in theThird Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue, I have yet to gain the Cabinet’s approval. I would like to speak about these matters, assuming that the Cabinet will give approval. I plan to visit China and Mongolia from August 26 to August 30. First, according to the current schedule, I think I will be departing on the night of the 26th, but on the 27th, I plan to stay in Shanghai until the evening, including viewing the expo there, as I have not seen it yet. I will then go on to Beijing, where the Third Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue and related events are to be held on the 28th and the 29th. At this Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue, Vice Premier Wang Qishan is to serve as the chair for the Chinese side, while I am to serve as the chair for the Japanese side. The ministers and vice ministers of relevant ministries and agencies of both countries are to attend the Dialogue. The participants are to hold discussions on various issues including the global economy, Japan-China economic relations, and global and interesting economic issues. I am also scheduled to meet with Premier Wen Jiabao together with the members of my delegation. Aside from these, I am scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and other officials.
In addition, I plan to visit Mongolia for the first time in six years since 2004, although it will be for only a very short time, about half a day. As of now, I am planning to pay courtesy calls on President Elbegdorj and Prime Minister Batbold, and holding talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Zandanshatar.

2. US Military Realignment Issue

Fujita, NHK: I would like to ask you about the Futenma relocation issue.

Minister: Futenma, for the first question?

Fujita, NHK: Excuse me. At least, it is my understanding that the situation is such that work is under way at consultations by experts to compile a final report by incorporating multiple plans – the so-called V-shaped plan, which unifies the original plan and I-shaped plan – into the report. Please tell us about the current situation as well as when and in what form the government plans to make this report public, as Chief Cabinet Secretary Sengoku has said that at any rate, the government will publicize it at the end of August.

Minister: I cannot speak about the details. Currently, Japan and the United States are conducting negotiations.
As to whether the report will be publicized, I think that it will be publicized if Chief Cabinet Secretary Sengoku has said so, although the talks are basically at the division director level. I also feel that not publicizing the report is not an option.

Takimoto, Ryukyu Shimpo: In relation to Futenma relocation, flight routes are indicated in a conceptual diagram presented by the US side during consultations on a plan to construct a replacement facility in Henoko held between Japan and the United States at the time of the Japan-US agreement in 2006. It has been explained that when helicopters, during visual flight, fly over the waters around the V-shaped runways marked off in a trapezoidal shape, they would not fly over residential areas. However, I have heard that the US side has explained to the Japanese side that the helicopters would actually fly over a wider area and would not be restricted to flying within the (trapezoidal) shape as explained in a conceptual diagram by the Japanese Defense Ministry and has therefore asked the Japanese side to correct that explanation. What is the intention of the US side, and how does the Japanese side intend to respond to that?

Minister: I have nothing to say at the moment. I am aware that there was such an article.

3. Northern Territories Issue

Shimada, Hokkaido Shimbun: I have a question concerning the Northern Territories issue. It has been reported by some media that currently, there are a number of Japanese citizens visiting Kunashiri Island on a tour, and the president of a local travel agency has admitted that. Please tell us to what extent the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has grasped the matter at the moment and in what way it now intends to deal with this.

Minister: We have not confirmed it yet. If the reports are true, that would be in violation of the Cabinet understanding and I think that it would be extremely regrettable. Although it is not clear as to what extent the travelers were aware (of the Cabinet understanding) when they went there, I believe that the government has to make a serious protest to the travelers and the travel agency that put together the tour plan.

Shimada, Hokkaido Shimbun: They will apparently be returning to Japan, shall I say, or mainland Japan this weekend via the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk on Sakhalin Island. Do you have any intention, for example, to have the resident Consul-General in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk or other officials question the travelers on the spot when they return to Kunashiri Island from Etorofu Island?

Minister: At the moment, I am not thinking about that in particular. Rather than that, we have yet to grasp the facts. At any rate, I believe that the government will have to respond properly in the way that I just mentioned.

Yoshinaga, Mainichi Newspapers: This is a related question. There are cases of businessmen making trips by acquiring visas, or as in the latest case, travelers taking these trips apparently in violation of the Japanese Government’s Cabinet understanding. Are there any plans for the Japanese Government or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take further measures in addition to the Cabinet understanding?

Minister: Basically, there have been quite a lot of cases even until now in which people have traveled unaware of the facts. In the latest case as well, we are not quite sure as to what extent the travel agency and the travelers knew about the facts. With regard to these matters, we would like to first properly convey the government’s policy in line with the Cabinet understanding.

Kamide, Freelance: Are you saying that the Japanese Government will ask the Russian Government or the travel agency to be aware of this policy?

Minister: Of course, as I said earlier, we intend to tell the travel agency and the travelers.

Kamide, Freelance: I have a few more questions. Looking at the overall picture of these developments, I feel it is rather difficult for you to tell, but I will ask you, nevertheless. There are voices, including those from the President and the Prime Minister (of Russia), that indicate that compared to how it was during the era of the former Soviet Union, various issues related to the return of the Northern Territories seem to have been set back. Please tell us your views on how Russia is currently handling the Northern Territories, including your evaluation of the matter as compared to the past.

Minister: As far as I know, President Medvedev has not clearly referred to this territorial issue in such ways. Overall, however, his comments carry a nuance that he wants to address this matter in a forward-looking manner.
However, since Prime Minister Kan has succeeded Prime Minister Hatoyama, I feel that we must once again try to further clarify this matter in the process of holding a number of bilateral summit meetings.

4. North Korean Affairs (Former US President Carter's Visit to North Korea and Six-Party Talks)

Nishioka, Mainichi Newspapers: According to US media reports, former US President Carter is to visit North Korea and secure the release of an American detainee. As in the case of former US President Clinton’s visit to that country last year, the North Korean side apparently aims at seeking a clue to holding talks with the United States. Please tell us what position the Government of Japan plans to take in response to this development.

Minister: I am aware of this fact. However, I do not know whether the United States and North Korea will hold some kind of specific, substantial consultations on that occasion.

Saito, Kyodo News: I have a question in connection with North Korea. I have heard that Mr. Wu Dawei of China recently met with Mr. Koichi Kato of the Liberal Democratic Party on the occasion of a visit to China by a group of members of a Japan-China friendship organization. This has also been reported by the media, but on that occasion, Mr. Wu reportedly said that the time has arrived in which efforts must be made toward an early resumption of the six-party talks by easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and over the Cheonan incident, and that he intends to seek cooperation from various quarters and visit relevant countries by finding the occasion to do so. Although I asked you this question at the previous press conference and you said that the situation was difficult with regard to the six-party talks, I would like to ask you once again how the Japanese Government intends to deal with this matter. Also, please tell us how you evaluate this position taken by China, which chairs the six-party talks.

Minister: I believe that it is necessary to thoroughly ask Mr. Wu Dawei about his thoughts as well as his perception of the current situation, on which his thoughts are premised. I would like to get a good grasp of the Chinese side’s thinking on this matter, although there is the question of the level (of the official who will meet him). As I mentioned earlier, I am scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, so I would like to thoroughly ask about the Chinese side’s thinking. However, our basic position has not changed from that which I spoke about at the previous press conference.

Nishioka, Mainichi Newspapers: According to South Korean media, Chairman Wu Dawei is reportedly considering visiting relevant countries such as Japan, China (sic), Russia, and South Korea. Has China actually notified Japan about his scheduled visit already?

Minister: There are various reports, but it is not the right time to make an announcement at the moment.

5. Prime Minister's Statement on 100th Anniversary of Japan's Annexation of Korea

Asaka, Freelance: I would like to ask a question on the Royal Protocols of the Joseon Dynasty and other archives that Japan plans to transfer to South Korea as stated in the Prime Minister Kan’s Statement. As a treaty or the like would be required on the occasion of handing these over, I would like to ask your opinion on this. These are precious documents of Korean Peninsula origin brought to Japan through the Office of the Governor-General of Korea during the period that Korea was under Japanese rule and subsequently kept by the Government of Japan. Currently, there are 81 copies of 167 volumes in storage at the Archives and Mausolea Department under the Imperial Household Agency. Of these, 80 copies of 163 volumes are said to have been transferred from the Governor-General of Korea. The remaining one copy of four volumes are said to have been purchased. Do you think that these purchased copies will also be included in those that are to be handed over to South Korea?

Minister: The government has yet to make any decisions on specifically what to do about this as well as which part of the entire collection will be transferred. However, I think that we need to sort out the entire collection in line with the perception that, as mentioned in the Statement, these archives were brought to Japan through the Governor-General of Korea and possessed by the Government of Japan. At the moment, I cannot make any further comments.

6. Japan's Security Policy

Iwakami, Freelance: On the 16th, US Assistant State Secretary Crowley stated that the Senkaku Islands were covered under the Japan-United States Security Treaty. On May 11th of this year, I asked you a question at one of these press conferences. I asked you whether even if it were covered under the Japan-United States Security Treaty, under the Japan-US alliance, the first to be mobilized in the defense of island regions in the case of actual military action would be the Japanese Self Defense Forces, and you responded that the Self Defense Forces were the first line of defense. The United States says that it is covered under the Japan-United States Security Treaty. But the Japan-US agreement that was signed in 2005 says that the Self Defense Forces are to defend island regions. This division of responsibility is very difficult to understand. Could you please tell us your understanding of this, or explain it for us a little?

Minister: What do you mean by the Japan-US agreement of 2005?

Iwakami, Freelance: I am speaking of the transformation and realignment of the Japan-US alliance. This is in the 2+2 document.

Minister: I actually do not think that there is any contradiction. Which side does what will be determined by the situation at that time. This does not say anything about that.

Iwakami, Freelance: When I asked you a question based on this document in May, you clearly stated that the Japanese Self Defense Forces would defend the islands first. I therefore think this means, first, that the governments of Japan and the United States have agreed that the Self Defense Forces are obliged to defend the islands first, and I think that you confirmed this in your response. You said that this will change depending on the circumstances; what kinds of circumstances would those be?

Minister: The 2005 document does not determine things to that extent. But the basic approach is that the Self Defense Forces are the shield, and the US Forces in Japan are the spear. Defending Japan's land and sea territory is the primary responsibility of the Japanese Self Defense Forces. But we must be able to respond flexibly to whatever situation occurs, so it is not necessarily decided that the Self Defense Forces is the first to respond.

Iwakami, Freelance: This is only for confirmation. Does that mean that even if the 2005 document states that the Self Defense Forces will defend Japan's island regions first, if the actual situation changes, the provisions in this document will be changed? Does this mean that they could be changed upon discussion between Japan and the United States?

Minister: I do not have the 2005 document at hand now. Does it state that "the Self Defense Forces will defend" first?

Iwakami, Freelance: Yes, it does. It states that Japan, by which it means the Japanese Self Defense Forces, will defend island regions. The last time, when I asked you a question based on this on May 11, you also said that the Self Defense Forces would defend the island regions first.

Minister: This will be my final statement about this, but what I said was that since they are Japan's Self Defense Forces, they should have the backbone to defend their own country. I spoke in this sense, but I do not remember precisely whether this was written in the 2005 document.

Iwakami, Freelance: I understand. I will bring this up at a later time.

7. Visits to China and Mongolia and Participation in Third Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue

Saito, Kyodo News: I would like to ask you about your upcoming visit to China. As it will be an economic dialogue, I believe that many Cabinet ministers will be going along and various issues will be on the agenda. In view of Japan-China economic relations in the future, what do you think needs to be discussed? Please cite some focal issues.

Minister: We have yet to formally prepare a draft agenda, so I would like to refrain from speaking about the details here. However, such matters as the issue of intellectual property rights, which Japan and China are currently discussing, and the eco project in Caofeidian that former Prime Minister Hatoyama visited are matters of interest to the Chinese side. Therefore, I think that these matters will naturally be discussed. In addition, while I solicited various opinions from Keidanren recently, I believe that we will naturally be exchanging views on various problems confronting Japanese firms that have advanced into China.

Saito, Kyodo News: I have another question related to China. I just asked you about economic relations. On the other hand, you are to hold bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. Currently, there are issues related to such matters as gas fields, North Korea, and the mechanism for unforeseen contingencies. Please explain to us your basic stance regarding how you intend to address these issues at your upcoming talks.

Minister: There are various pending issues between Japan and China. I believe that even in the past, progress has been seen in many of these issues through a frank exchange of views. I hope to hold thorough discussions on these issues without shelving them.

8. Joint Historical Study between Japan and South Korea

Kubota, Sankei Shimbun: I have a question about the 100th anniversary of the Japanese annexation of Korea. Prime Minister Kan's statement says that Japan imposed colonial rule against the intention of the Korean people.

Minister: It says, "against their will."

Kubota, Sankei Shimbun: "Against their will." There have been two rounds of joint study project into historical issues between Japan and Korea. If there is another round of study projects, I think that this part will be quite problematic. Will such study be conducted?

Minister: When you say it will be problematic, in what way do you mean?

Kubota, Sankei Shimbun: Whether a third joint-study project into historical issues will be conducted.

Minister: That has not yet been decided.

9. Sexual Exploitation of Children and Regulations on Expression

Ida, Shukan Kinyobi: I would like to confirm something about the Rio Congress on the sexual exploitation of children that I asked about on Friday. We also have no arguments against the need to reduce sexual exploitation in the form of child prostitution and child pornography, where there are actual victims. However, regarding regulations on depictions of youth that do not exist in reality, as of the 20th I had read the provisional Japanese translation, but in the official English text, speaking on creations that do not exist in reality, it says, "it surely raises serious problems." The word "surely" is not included in the provisional translation, but this statement means that it raises these problems without a doubt. I would like to ask a question about this for confirmation. The official incharge told me that it was still under preparation, so I understand if I cannot receive an answer today, but could you give me a general idea of when an answer will be forthcoming? Can I assume that I will have an answer, for example, at a press conference a week from now?

Minister: I have also not received a detailed explanation, so I cannot answer immediately. I think it will be as soon as possible.

Ida, Shukan Kinyobi: All right, thank you. Incidentally, since these statements were made during Liberal Democratic Party administrations, Of course, even after the change in administration, we must minimize child victims, but if there is an incorrect expression or the like, and it would be better to correct it, since you also tackled such issues as the secret agreements, I would hope that you would respond flexibly.

Minister: This is a fairly serious problem, so not dealing with such things is becoming a very large international problem as well. Of course, this is also a problem of Japan itself. We must deal with this issue with a proper awareness of this fact, but at the same time balanced with the freedom of expression. I therefore think that we must study this issue thoroughly.

10. Advisory Panel of Experts on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

Higa, Kyodo News: I believe that today was the third meeting of the Advisory Panel of Experts on Nuclear Disarmament. There will also be a meeting of Foreign Ministers of non-nuclear weapon states, which Japan and Australia co-host, in September. Please tell us again what is expected of the Advisory Panel of Experts, and how you will handle the results of this panel.

Minister: I also participated in the discussion at the Advisory Panel of Experts for about 30 minutes. Today, the panel roughly discussed our direction on medium to long-term challenges. For example, with regard to the nuclear disarmament treaty currently agreed between the United States and Russia, I believe that in the future, there will probably be talks on disarmament at the level of at least the five major nuclear powers. The experts considered the possible specific processes. Also, with regard to nuclear-weapons ban treaties, the attitude of the United States has also changed significantly, so they discussed how Japan could play a slightly larger role in this. They also discussed the possible positive and negative impacts on the situation on the Korean Peninsula if it were possible to create a treaty for a nuclear-free zone in East Asia. The experts roughly discussed topics such as these. I believe that a report will probably be published based on these discussions.

11. Assistance to Afghanistan

Nanao, Niconico Video: This is a question from our viewers. It concerns the Afghanistan issue. You have previously announced a five-year, $5 billion in maximum recovery and reconstruction aid package for Afghanistan. It has been revealed that an Afghanistan Assistance Office will be set up in the Prime Minister's Office as a place for specific considerations of this assistance. Former State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Tetsuro Fukuyama, the current Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, has been appointed to head the office's secretariat. I would like to first ask the aims of this office, and the specific collaboration that will be conducted between the office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister: Before leaving for India, I discussed the direction on this issue that you mentioned with the Prime Minister. Of course, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also been working on this issue until now. For example, we built a scheme incorporating many new elements, such as activities by NGOs via the NGO Japan Platform, and I believe it was 1.5 billion yen. This is something that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cannot do by itself. For example, on the training of police officers, there was discussion on conducting training in Turkey, and of course, this cannot be done without the cooperation of the National Police Agency. There are also things that will span across ministries and agencies like this, and if we can have discussions from a broader perspective at the Prime Minister's Office – and of course I would participate in them – then I think that this would be favorable in the sense of creating a deeper discussion.

12. Entry of Outside Aircraft to Kadena Air Base

Takimoto, Ryukyu Shimpo: This concerns the entry of what we are calling "outside aircraft" to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa. Large numbers of aircraft are coming to Kadena that are not permanently stationed there, and their numbers continue to increase. You have also long repeated that you intended to ask the United States to improve this situation of outside aircraft, in the context of reducing the burden on Okinawa. Specifically, have Japan and the United States spoken about this issue a number of times? Or do you intend to have talks on the issue and are you prepared to have them? And if you have had talks on the issue, what was the response from the United States?
Minister: There have not yet been talks at my level. I therefore intend to raise this issue a little after the end of August. Outside aircraft come to Kadena for many reasons, but for example, there are also issues about the times that they come. Currently, Kadena has essentially created general rules for the times during which aircraft stationed in Kadena can take off from and land at Kadena. Although there are exceptions, I think that there are many points that should be discussed, such as whether some sort of coordination cannot be conducted somewhere so that these (outside) aircraft take off and land within this time frame.

Takimoto, Ryukyu Shimpo: Does this mean that the specific portion you mentioned conducted between your officials and the United States was whether they could ensure that outside aircraft stay properly within the frame of the agreements on aircraft noise abatement countermeasures?

Minister: This is not about whether all (the aircraft) can stay within this framework. One thing is whether takeoffs and landings can be fit close to this time frame to the greatest extent possible. At any rate, as a place for discussing this, we also have discussions that include Okinawa, and we have officials for this. We are considering various things about what should be discussed at which level.

Takimoto, Ryukyu Shimpo: What I wanted to ask was that the Chief Cabinet Secretary said at his press conference such a place is required and that at such a place for talks with the United States, while incorporating the intentions of the United States and Okinawa, may be necessary.

Minister: I do not know.

Journalist: This was also a personal view. May I assume that the officials have also not yet discussed this?

Minister: I intend to speak about this when a decision has been made.

13. Japan-India Nuclear Energy Agreement

Murao, Yomiuri Shimbun: I have a question about the nuclear energy agreement between Japan and India. There are also views that negotiations will hit a snag on the topic of nuclear weapons, but what are your views on this?

Minister: I do not know whether or not it becomes tangled. But I think that it is a difficult problem. India also believes that this is an issue of its national sovereignty, and I have heard that there are members of its parliament that hold this view strongly. In the end this issue must pass through the parliaments of both countries. It will be quite difficult, but this is precisely why we must take on this challenge.

Kamide, Freelance: In relation to this, as an outcome, shall I say, what you said at a previous press conference was in the same form as what I have said; you stated clearly to the Indian side that you would not sign a treaty if India conducted nuclear tests. These results, shall I say, the negotiations are still proceeding with difficulty, but for example, in terms of the nuclear energy business as well, what needed to be said has been said, and India has also been focusing its efforts on preparations for this for a long time. Based on these results, with regard to similar issues with countries that have not signed the NPT, what approach will you take now? Together with these results, please tell us what kind of response you will take in the future, including a summary of these results for the Japanese people.

Minister: In terms of "results", we still have not finished our talks on a nuclear-energy agreement, so I think that these discussions will need to continue. I think that both sides' positions are fairly clear. I think that the Indian media has communicated to the Indian people to a certain extent why the Japanese are so insistent on this point.Looking at newspaper reports in India as well, they are presenting the stance of Japan as a victim of atomic bombing, and its consistent argumentsfor nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, in a fairly rational manner, so I think that this has been communicated to a certain extent. No other nuclear-armed states that are non-signatories to the NPT are recognized by the NSG, so I have absolutely no intention of discussing other countries in the same context as India.

14. Economic Measures

Yamamoto, Sekainippo: Political situation is gearing up for the election of the party leader (of DPJ), and listening to various Sunday news debate programs and the like, to take one TV station as a representative example, the leaders of the various parties are making many different statements about the economy, but given the current situation, in which the government has not made a very clear statement of what determinations it will make, and as for the media, various people gathered at Karuizawa to make political speeches, shall I say, and it was noted that other countries are watching this, and since Japan is ultimately stalled in this form, this is causing the strong yen, or is building a sort of economic blockade around Japan. Is it the case that no clear decisions will be made on the economy until this election ends? Or could I ask you, as the Foreign Minister and the next generation leader of the Democratic Party, to send out some sort of message with a clear political direction?

Minister: The background to the strong yen is extremely complex, but despite the aggressive reports of the election of the party leader by some media, I do not think that this was the cause by any means. Next, regarding measures against the strong yen and other economic measures in particular, of course, each Cabinet Minister is holding discussions under Prime Minister Kan, so we also plan to participate if these discussions take place at a Cabinet meeting. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not have much direct involvement with economic measures, or measures against the strong yen, so I intend to speak my views as a Cabinet Minister as necessary, when all the ministers in charge are convened. I think that it is extremely vital to advance diplomacy properly. We have nearly reached an agreement on the schedule for the EPA negotiations with India, and regarding Thailand's automobile industry, its automobile industry in particular, is performing very well, so I think that, with the preconditions of thoroughly protecting Japanese citizens, and ensuring proper necessary guarantees for business, working thoroughly in these areas can be tied to economic issues in the broad sense.

15. Meeting of Foreign Affairs Subcommittee of DPJ Policy Research Committee

Yamauchi, Nikkei: I believe that the foreign affairs subcommittee is meeting today. What are your views on the degree to which the opinions of the Policy Research Committee of the Democratic Party should be incorporated into the budget request to be completed by the end of the month?

Minister: I have not heard yet what kinds of opinions I can receive today, so this is a very difficult question to answer without this basis, working from a clean slate. I very much hope to receive good, positive opinions. I also intend to report on the outcomes of my recent series of overseas visits.

Back to Index