Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > January 21, 2011

(* 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 Seiji Maehara

Date: Friday, January 21, 2011, 4:25 p.m.
Place: MOFA Press Conference Room

Main topics:

  1. Opening Remarks
    • (1) Signing of Special Measures Agreement on Costs of Stationing of US Forces in Japan (Host Nation Support)
  2. Trend of South-North Military Talks
  3. Japan-Russia Relations (Visit to Four Northern Islands by Russian Deputy Defense Minister)
  4. US-China Summit Meeting
  5. Japan-China Relations
  6. The Way that the Council of Three Top Ministry Officials Ought to be (omitted)
  7. Signing of Special Measures Agreement on Costs of Stationing of US Forces in Japan (Host Nation Support)

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Signing of Special Measures Agreement on Costs of Stationing of US Forces in Japan (Host Nation Support)

Minister Maehara: I have one announcement. This morning, Ambassador Roos of the United States and I signed a special measures agreement on the costs of the stationing of US Forces in Japan. While we concluded an agreement on the costs of the stationing of the USFJ over the next five years, I hope that it will be approved by the Diet as soon as possible.
   I would like to speak once again about the significance of this agreement. Amid the changes in the strategic environment surrounding Japan as well as the Asia-Pacific region, the Japan-US alliance is extremely important as a public asset not only for the security of Japan but also for the stability of this region. From this perspective, it was decided that the total amount (of the cost of stationing of the USFJ) would be maintained (at the current level) for five years, even though we face a severe fiscal situation. Although, of course, it is basically the primary responsibility of Japan, including its Self-Defense Forces, to firmly defend its own national security, I believe that it is important to make the best use of the Japan-US alliance for Japan's national security and the stability of the region. Therefore, from such a standpoint as well as the standpoint that this special agreement has strategic significance in terms of Japan's national security and diplomacy, I feel that the term "sympathy budget" is no longer appropriate, and I would like to be allowed to use the expression "host nation support" from now on. At the same time, this includes a part of the cost of relocating training exercises to Guam, and as such, I hold expectations that it would lead to reducing Okinawa's burdens.
   Moreover, after the signing of the agreement, I held talks with Ambassador Roos, and I requested that the US military itself enforce strict discipline with regard to incidents and accidents involving US military personnel. I asked that efforts be made to completely eliminate them. I said: "We respect the fact that the US Forces are extremely beneficial as public assets not only for Japan's national security but also for the stability of the region. However, we would like US soldiers, or military personnel, Department of Defense civilians, and their dependents to act a good neighbor." I then said, "We would like to see efforts made so that there are no more of these incidents and accidents." Ambassador Roos replied that the United States "will make utmost efforts." At the same time, I firmly requested that the United States fulfill the 1996 Japan-US Joint Committee agreements related to Futenma Air Station, or in other words, observing the rules on flight time or measures against noise pollution such as those concerning afterburners. In December, I presented a list of the individual agreements to then Okinawa Area Coordinator Robling and requested that they be fulfilled. Today, I did not cite each individual agreement, but I firmly requested the fulfillment of those agreements. At the same time, I requested that the US Forces continue implementing a plan suggested by Okinawa Area Coordinator Robling in June that includes a ban on US Forces personnel going to the so-called bar districts at night, a thorough enforcement of guidelines on what to do in case of an accident by attaching relevant stickers inside US military vehicles, and patrols to prevent incidents and accidents. In response to that request, Ambassador Roos said, "We would like to make firm efforts."

2. Trend of South-North Military Talks

Deguchi, Kyodo News: In response to calls from North Korea, South Korea has indicated that it is prepared to engage in military talks with North Korea. As Japan and South Korea agreed during the recent meeting between their foreign ministers that South-North dialogue needs to be held first, do you believe that if the military talks are actually held, it would open the way for Japan-North Korea negotiations, or do you feel that unless North Korea takes some kind of concrete actions at the South-North talks toward easing the tensions, the opportunity for dialogue between Japan and North Korea would not emerge yet?

Minister: With regard to this latest issue of South-North military talks, what I am aware of is that the North Korean side showed its intention to express its view in response to South Korea's seeking on January 10 a sincere response from the North Korean side with regard to the attack on the South Korean patrol ship "Cheonan" and the attack on Yeonpyeong Island, and I have heard that the South Korean side is now willing to engage in the talks.
   However, the situation is such that we do not know what kind of talks will be held or whether progress will be made. What we can clearly say is that as we confirmed in last December during the meeting of foreign ministers of Japan, the United States, and South Korea, North Korea must first show a sincere response or action before we can engage in dialogue. It is also our understanding that South-North dialogue must take place first. As such, we intend to closely watch the outcome of the South-North military talks.

3. Japan-Russia Relations (Visit to Four Northern Islands by Russian Deputy Defense Minister)

Sakai, Sankei Shimbun: Russia's deputy defense minister reportedly entered Etorofu Island yesterday. First of all, what is the view of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and how does it plan to respond to that? As I believe that you had so far analyzed this matter within the context that such visits, including those by the president and vice president, are taking place because social and economic development of the four Kuril Islands has progressed, as Russia has become affluent, how do you position the latest visit by the deputy defense minister?

Minister: With regard to visits to the Northern Territories by high-ranking officials, the director of the Russian Federal Security Service paid a visit in June 2005, and the then Minister of Defense Ivanov in July of the same year, so I believe that there have been cases in which high-ranking officials visited the Northern Territories regardless of whether Russia had achieved economic development. What we can say about this is that visits to the Northern Territories by important Russian Government officials are incompatible with Japan's position and are regrettable. We have conveyed our position to Russia on a number of occasions.

4. US-China Summit Meeting

Inukai, Mainichi Newspapers: Yesterday, a US-China summit meeting was held. I would like to ask you for your assessment of this meeting. Although I think that this was the first time (China) expressed concern over North Korea’s uranium enrichment, on the other hand, there are some who believe that China did not make concessions on any matters of substance, such as human rights or the RMB. Please tell us your views.

Minister: I would like to positively praise the summit meeting between the leaders of the United States and China for exchanging views not only on issues involving the two countries, which are in a responsible possition, but also for discussing a wide range of issues.
  I am also focusing particularly on China’s expressing concern for the first time over North Korea’s enriched uranium development. Since President Hu Jintao, who is the supreme leader of China, has expressed such concern, I intend to ask China to join our efforts toward specific actions for the abolition by North Korea of all the items agreed in the Six-Party Talks of 2005, which includes enriched uranium development. China expressed concern, and China is the chair of the Six-Party Talks, so I intend to request an active response from China.

Inukai, Mainichi Newspapers: I have been told that Japan and the United States exchanged a wide range of information on the summit meeting beforehand. Do you think that the results of this summit reflected the views of Japan to a certain degree?

Minister: This was a bilateral summit between the United States and China, and I think that Japan intends to refrain from commenting.

5. Japan-China Relations

Nagai, Nihon Keizai Shimbun: I have two questions concerning China.
  My first question is as follows. It has become certain that China’s nominal GDP will become the world’s second largest. I would like to ask your reaction to this.
  My other question is as follows. While China is becoming an economic superpower, with the world’s second-largest economy, not much progress was seen from the US-Japan summit meeting other than uranium enrichment, in such areas as the RMB, and easing restrictions on entry into China by corporations. What sort of behavior would you like to request of China as a superpower?

Minister: Firstly, with regard to your first question, although I know there was media reportage that China’s GDP has become the world’s second largest, I cannot say anything definitive because I have not yet heard the final numbers for Japan’s GDP this year. China has ten times the population of Japan, and I pay attention to its remarkable economic growth in an extremely short period. From a certain perspective, I think that this is also an opportunity for Japan. As I often say, China is Japan’s number-one export destination, and its number-one source of imports. Also, although the United States is China’s number-one export destination, Japan is the number two, and Japan is China’s number-one source of imports. I think that if China’s economic growth is peaceful and in harmony with the rest of the world, then under those preconditions I think that it is an opportunity for Japan as well.
  Regarding your second question, although I think that it depends on the preconditions I just mentioned, I would like China to remain conscious of properly complying with the rules and mores of the international community, which were established after two world wars, and to rise as a peaceful nation. I of course also intend to convey this message directly to China diplomatically when the occasion arises, and I intend to collaborate with other countries that share our values, so that China acts in accordance with universal values and standards that have been built.

Lee, Hong Kong Phoenix TV: In his speech on foreign affairs yesterday, Prime Minister Kan expressed concern over China’s maritime expansion. This topic was also discussed during the US-China summit meeting, and it was heard that China argued the maintenance of territory and respect for sovereignty. What is your assessment of this?

Minister: A part my concern is that China has increased its military spending about 20 times over a 21-year period. The question is, what is the purpose of this increase? Even if the purpose is the unification with Taiwan through military force, many have raised concern that this increase in military power exceeds what is needed for that goal. In addition, the published figures do not show everything. Various analyses place such actual figures at two or three times the published numbers. In this sense, I think that what China ought to do as a responsible nation is to indicate its intention in increasing its military power by such an amount, and to increase its transparency.
  At the same time, the world has established rules on the freedom of navigation on the oceans following two world wars. In this sense, I think that it is important for China to properly comply with these international rules, and if, generally speaking, countries have disputes over sovereignty, it is preferable for them to be resolved through peaceful dialogue, and that possession must never be taken by force as a fait accompli.

Saito, Kyodo News: Considerable time has passed since the collision of the Chinese fishing trawler. I think that there are many views regarding whether dialogue and exchange between Japan and China have recovered 100% to their previous levels since then. Although there have been discussions regarding the United Nations, and yesterday there was a dialog on security assurance at the Vice Minister level, the pace and frequency of these actions are of concern. What is your view on the state of exchange between Japan and China, and what are the challenges? I would like to ask your views on these points.

Minister: I think that discussing matters of concern is important for relations between any two countries, and I have absolutely no impression that dialogue with China is currently slowed down or stalled. Last year, Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister Kan met after the Senkaku incident, and Prime Minister Kan and President Hu Jintao held a summit meeting at APEC. Although I have only been Minister of Foreign Affairs for a little over four months, I have met with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi twice, and held a telephone conference once. I think that we are exchanging views fairly frequently.
  Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the normalization of relations between Japan and China. In the sense of how to raise the level of Japan-China relations at this 40th anniversary in the context of a Mutually Beneficial Relationship based on Common Strategic Interests, I think that the year is important to advance the exchange of views. Therefore, although I do not think that the level of current exchange is low, I intend to work thoroughly for exchange as we head toward next year of the milestone. I intend to conduct exchange at a variety of levels.

Saito, Kyodo News: While it is true, as you mentioned, that Prime Minister Kan met with Premier Wen Jiabao, and that he met with President Hu Jintao as well, as you are aware, the Chinese side has not announced these as official meetings. China positions them as standing chats, rather than meetings of that sort. More time has passed since then; is the Chinese side already preparing for an official summit meeting with Japan, or as it is presumptuous to speak of the China’s side, I would like to ask if it is your awareness that Japan and China have made such preparations, or whether the conditions are right.
Minister: Meetings are being held between Japan and China through a wide range of channels. For example, only within the first half of this year, a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Japan, China, and South Korea is scheduled, and a summit meeting is scheduled as well, and Japan will be the host. Of course, we foresee that bilateral meetings will be held between the Foreign Ministers or leaders of the three countries, so I think that there will naturally be a summit meeting between Japan and China, and a meeting between our foreign ministers, some time in the first half of this year.

Yamaguchi, Asahi Shimbun: I would like to confirm the following. In your opening remarks, you spoke about Ambassador Roos. Has there been a report from the US side on the US-China summit meeting held the other day? Alternatively, please tell us if you asked Ambassador Roos about what was discussed with China.

Minister: I did not ask Ambassador Roos, and I have not received such an explanation from him.

Nishigaki, Jiji Press: My question is in relation to the fishing-trawler collision mentioned earlier. Although you may not have heard of this, since a flash news report just came in during this press conference, there has been a flash report that the Naha Prosecutor’s Office has suspended the indictment of the captain of the Chinese fishing trawler. Please tell us your views on this point.

Minister: I will not comment on this, as it is a judicial decision.

Hashimoto, Kyodo News: My question is similar to the one asked by the journalist from Jiji Press. The indictment was also suspended for the former Coast Guard official, for whom criminal papers had been filed with the Prosecutors office. Please tell us your reaction to this.

Minister: It is not my position to comment on this, as it is a legal proceeding.

6. The Way that the Council of Three Top Ministry Officials Ought to be (omitted)

(omitted)

7. Signing of Special Measures Agreement on Costs of Stationing of US Forces in Japan (Host Nation Support)

Kamide, Freelance: With regard to your first announcement concerning Japan and the United States, you used a slightly difficult term, "host nation support," saying that from now on, the term "sympathy budget" will not be used. In a certain sense, there are people taking various positions with regard to this, and I feel that it (“sympathy budget”) is a perfectly fitting term. Are you trying to actively encourage the mass media not to use it? Are you also planning to use the term "host nation support" on various occasions? It was said on NHK program, which is the Sunday Discussion program, that the term “sympathy budget” should not be used as much as possible, and according to what I confirmed afterward, it happened as (the program) considered the term too vague to correctly understand. That really surprised me. Although I believe that this will not be pursued any further, since the freedom of expression would be involved here, please tell us your views about this matter.

Minister: If you translate host nation support into Japanese, I believe that it would be setsujukoku shien, and I feel that would be fine. However, this Japanese term is also rather difficult to understand, as it consists of five kanji characters. Anyway, as I stated earlier, what is at the root of this issue of US presence, from the standpoint that it is extremely beneficial as a public asset not only for Japan's national security but also for the stability of this region, is Article 6 of the Japan-US Security Treaty. Article 5 concerns the exercise of the right of collective self-defense, in which if Japan were to be attacked by another country, the United States would consider that as an attack on itself and thus defend Japan. With regard to Article 6, the term Far East is used in that article. It stipulates that for the stability of this region, the US military would be allowed to have facilities within Japan and Japan would provide necessary support. Since there is freedom of speech in Japan, we have no intention to say that you will not be allowed inside this conference room unless you use the term “host nation support”. However, I feel that this has a different nuance from the word “sympathy”. In other words, I am saying that we be allowed to use the term “host nation support” because the term “sympathy” is off the mark from the standpoint that we made a strategic decision in determining that the stationing of the US military and Japan's shouldering a certain amount of the necessary costs would be in Japan's national interests and in the national interests of both countries as well.
   I would like those of you who understand that to use the term “host nation support” by all means. However, the term “sympathy budget” appears in the headlines of all the evening papers, so I feel that it has not been fully accepted.

Inafuku, Ryukyu Shimpo: I would like to ask a question concerning the relocation of training exercises to Guam. I believe it was agreed that up to 20 fighters can take part in each training session there, with each session lasting up to 20 days. Please tell us how often this would take place and how feasible it would be considering that there is the standpoint of deterrence.

Minister: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs cannot speak to you all with regard to this point, as it has to do with operations. If the Ministry of Defense can speak about it in relation to the US military, I believe that they will probably tell you about the details. However, if the Ministry of Defense cannot talk about it due to operational reasons, I think that they will also not be able to talk about that. At least, there is nothing on which we can comment.

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