(* 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: Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 3:13 p.m.
Place: MOFA Press Conference Room

Main topics:

Opening Remarks
- (1) Terrorist Attack in the Moscow Domodedovo Airport
Hague Convention
Courtesy Call by Mr. Marzuki Darusman, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK
Abduction Issue
Comments on Victim of two atomic bombs
Export of Infrastructure (Nuclear Energy Generation)
Realignment of US Military Forces
Japan-US Relations (Joint Vision of Japan-US Alliance)

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Terrorist Attack in the Moscow Domodedovo Airport

Minister Maehara: I have one announcement. This is about the explosion incident that occurred at an airport in Moscow. According to reports from the Russian side, 35 persons were killed and well over 100 persons were injured. We offer our deep condolences for the tragic loss of life and for those who were injured. We pray for their earliest possible recovery. The Government of Japan resolutely condemns all forms of terrorism. In addition to strongly denouncing this brutal terrorist act, the Government of Japan wishes to express solidarity with the Government of Russia and the Russian people. Prime Minister Kan just sent a message to President Medvedev, expressing his condolences and sympathies as well as a message of solidarity toward combating terrorism.

2. Hague Convention

Nishigaki, Jiji Press: A State Secretary-level meeting on the Hague Convention is currently held at the Prime Minister’s office. I believe that this has been a pending issue since the Hatoyama administration. Please tell us how you intend to deal with this issue.

Minister: We are considering seriously how we will deal with the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice, as well as the ruling parties have created a working group, which is now putting great effort into preparing a response of Japan, and the government and the ruling parties.

Nishigaki, Jiji Press: When you said a framework that includes people from the ruling parties, do you mean that a framework will be created separate from the State Secretary’ meeting?

Minister: At the same time as the discussions are held in the Vice-Ministers’ meeting, we are carrying out an initiative on this issue led by Parliamentary Secretary Yamahana. It is my understanding that we will collaborate closely with the Ministry of Justice and the ruling parties to listen to a wide range of views, and pulling them together. At the meeting of the three top officials, we received several progress reports.

3. Courtesy Call by Mr. Marzuki Darusman, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK

Yamaguchi, Asahi Shimbun: You recently met with UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Marzuki. We only saw the beginning of this meeting; could you please tell us what kind of exchange went on, and whether you heard any news.

Minister: I met with the special rapporteur on the status of human rights in North Korea, who paid me a courtesy call. He asked for the cooperation of the Government of Japan on efforts to introduce a new UN resolution, and I told him that Japan intend to provide its full support. At the same time, Mr. Marzuki is also following the issue of Sri Lanka, and he asked for our support for a response to Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Government of Japan.

4. Abduction Issue

Nishioka, Mainichi Newspapers: I would like to ask a question concerning North Korea. Last week, some media reported information on abduction victims. There have emerged a couple of weekly magazines that have taken up the possibility of your visiting North Korea. Is there such an option as your meeting with North Korean authorities and conveying Japan's position in person, if the conditions are right?

Minister: Although I have heard that such reports have been carried by weeklies, I believe that they completely fail to capture all the facts, so I don’t think that they are worth reading. Currently, I have absolutely no plans to visit North Korea. In any case, the families of the abduction victims are the ones who are anguished every time such reports are released or various discussions come out. Therefore, what I would like to ask all of you by all means is that, although this may be a generalization, if a mixture of fact and fiction were to be written and some thing were to happen to those who are still alive because of such reports, we feel that it would be a very serious problem. The news media are free to carry reports that are based on facts and we do not intend to say this or that about such reports. However, if you write articles based on speculation or rumors and such articles were to seriously jeopardize the position of the abduction victims, we feel that this would lead to an irreversible situation, so we would like for you to take such viewpoints into consideration when you do engage in news reporting.

5. Comments on Victim of two atomic bombs

Deguchi, Kyodo News: Please excuse my asking about a topic from several days ago. In a quiz show on BBC, there was a facetious comment on Mr. Tsutomu Yamaguchi, who was a victim of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. Although I am aware that our Ambassador in the UK has already lodged a protest on behave of the Government of Japan, and that an apology has been received, how do you personally feel about this issue?

Minister: We lodged a protest via the Ambassador. Ambassador Keiichi Hayashi is currently back in Japan, and I have received a report on this from the Ambassador. Since the BBC has apologized for this, I have no intention of aggravating the matter further. When I heard that media report, however, I felt enraged, shall I say; I felt a strong sense of anger and displeasure. I think that the terrible scene witnessed by Mr.Tsutomu Yamaguchi in Hiroshima and Nagasaki was unimaginable, and having survived these experiences, Mr. Yamaguchi has striven to tell the world about his tragic experience, and create a world without nuclear weapons. He has also called for a variety of enhanced and expanded measures for the victims of the atomic bombs. This program related his story by calling him the “unluckiest man in the world,” and the commentators talked while laughing. This made me extremely uncomfortable, and I think that the Japanese people felt the same way. I wish that the people at the BBC, and in particular those who spoke about this on television while laughing, will recognize the tragedy of the victims of the atomic bombings, and rather than apologizing, will strive to ensure that nuclear weapons never create that state again, from their positions as commentators or members of the media.

6. Export of Infrastructure (Nuclear Energy Generation)

Ida, Shukan Kinyobi: At your press conference last year on December 28th, you spoke about the export of infrastructure; my question relates to this. You said that you intended to work to promote Japan’s safe and clean nuclear energy internationally. It should hardly be necessary to mention, but even when we set aside the accidents, nuclear energy has several issues, such as the radiation exposure rate during periodic inspections, and low-level and high-level radioactive waste. Given this, please tell us what you meant by “safe and clean nuclear energy.”

Minister: First, speaking on the issue of safety, Japan has 55 nuclear energy reactors in operation, and it is true that there were cases of suspension of operations. However, despite the fact that about 20% of the world’s earthquakes hit in Japan, I think that they are operated at an extremely high level of safety. I mentioned safety in this sense.
By the word “clean,” I meant that it is clean energy in the sense of CO₂ emissions. Of course, with regard to the nuclear waste that you mentioned, the selection of final disposal sites and intermediate disposal sites are the issues for the country that decided to use nuclear energy. I stated that we will do our utmost from this perspective.

7. Realignment of US Military Forces

Takimoto, Ryukyu Shimpo: Today, there was a meeting of the Okinawa Policy Council's subcommittee on burden reduction. In his briefing at that meeting, Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano explained that you had given an explanation concerning "remedial measures regarding notification on US military exercises in the exclusive economic zone outside of the training areas." Later, during a doorstepping interview, the governor (of Okinawa) commented that when he requested "restraint of conducting exercises in areas outside of the training area," you replied, "It has been confirmed by the US side that they would basically adhere to conducting exercises within the training areas." Please explain to us once again what you discussed with regard to notification on exercises inside training areas and exercises in the exclusive economic zone outside of training areas.

Minister: The US military had conducted exercises before they notified us, and although we cannot give you information on the specific location, the designated training areas include our territorial waters. With regard to this, we asked the US military to implement remedial measures and make sure that in the process of designating new training areas, exercises would be conduct inside those areas. We also requested the US military to make sure that in the future, we receive prior notification so that the same thing does not happen and asked that exercises be conducted in line with the notification. We told Governor Nakaima, the mayor of Naha (Onaga), and Kin Mayor Gibu that the US military had acknowledged that.

Takimoto, Ryukyu Shimpo: While I think that there already existed a system of basically "providing advance notification regarding exercises within training areas," I would like to confirm, whether confirmation was made this time that "advance notification would be provided in case of conducting exercises in areas inside territorial waters but outside of the designated training areas" Or did you have confirmation from the US that they will conduct their training only in the designated area?

Minister: Exercises are to be conducted in line with what has been confirmed between Japan and the United States so far.

Yamamoto, Sekai Nippo: With regard to Okinawa issues, during your press conference the other day, you said that you requested Ambassador Roos after agreeing on keeping the sympathy budget at the current level for the next five years that you wanted crime (involving US military personnel) in Okinawa to be eliminated as much as possible. I felt that this was a political message asking the US military to make efforts in this regard as a part of measures to reduce Okinawa's burdens and as compensation for securing the budget for the next five years. Isn’t this the case?

Minister: I said that we would no longer use the word sympathy budget from the standpoint that the presence of the US military and our support as a host nation are a public asset contributing to both the stability of this region and Japan's national security. Therefore, I did not link the issue of preventing incidents and accidents (involving US military personnel) with this issue of host nation support for the next five years. I simply requested firmly that the US side also make efforts to reduce incidents and accidents to zero.

Yamamoto, Sekai Nippo: Although I did not intend to ask whether these were linked, I feel that they were taken up because they involve the issue of reducing Okinawa's burdens, including taking the discussion in that direction. While I believe that this is something that needs to be achieved, I also believe, as you just explained, that the Japan-US alliance is an extremely important linchpin with regard to security in Asia and that it is important to the people in the US military and to Japan that this alliance works out well. In that sense, although besides criminal incidents, there have been reports of various heartwarming stories such as people in the US military donating organs for transplants, I have heard that such stories are not being reported very often. In that sense -- in the sense of cooperative management of military bases -- do you have any plans such as having the government present awards to people for such deeds in order to promote public awareness that there are good points (to US military presence) instead (of just negative aspects)?,

Minister: I have been to inspection tours of various bases. Various local communities are engaged in various projects. For example, there are bases where the local community and the US military personnel get together and hold festivals. We feel very grateful about this, and we think that we must enhance public awareness or public relations campaigns concerning the positive aspects that you pointed out. However, what is important is that although US soldiers are prepared to risk their lives in case something should occur and are committed to fulfill their duties for Japan's national security and the stability of the region, incidents and accidents keep recurring in areas surrounding military bases. US military bases cannot exist without the understanding of the local residents. Although the US Government and the US military are fully aware of this, we have been asking that this be firmly conveyed to each and every troop. During my meetings with the Okinawa Area Coordinator and the US Ambassador, I expressed our respect to the noble mission of the US military personnel and the efforts they would make for Japan's national security and the stability of the region while risking their lives, and at the same time, I requested that thorough efforts be made to convey that understanding, or otherwise, the presence of military bases, which are linchpin of security, will become extremely vulnerable.

Kamide, Freelance: In connection with Okinawa, Nago Mayor Inamine held a press conference on the first anniversary of his election. During the conference, he made some harsh remarks regarding these military bases issues. For example, he said, "We would like the government to fully acknowledge the fact that Okinawa is saying no." What is your reaction to the relationship between the mayor of Nago and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or to such comments?

Minister: Since the mayor of Nago was elected by the people of Nago, I understand that his comments carry significant weight and that they reflect the will of Nago Citizens. At the same time, while we have been requesting Nago to shoulder additional burdens, if progress is made in this road map, I believe that it would lead to an overall reduction of the burden on Okinawa, including the return of military bases located south of Kadena. Therefore, in order to have this matter considered from an overall perspective, we are currently explaining the position of the central government and presenting our requests while holding talks with Governor Nakaima, who is in a position representing the will of all the Okinawan people, the mayor of Naha, who has come out here after being chosen at a meeting of mayors, and Kin Mayor Gibu.

8. Japan-US Relations (Joint Vision of Japan-US Alliance)

Nanao, Niconico Douga: This is a question from our viewers. I would like to ask you about your speech on foreign affairs before both houses of the Diet yesterday. In your speech, you stated that during Prime Minister Kan’s visit to the United States, a joint declaration of a joint vision for the Japan-US alliance in the 21st century would be made. What new viewpoints or perspectives on Japan-US relations will this 21st century vision include? Please excuse me about the abstract nature of my question.

Minister: If I recall correctly, since Prime Minister Kan assumed office, he has met with President Obama three times. During these three summit meetings, they have discussed strengthening and solidifying Japan-US relations in three fields: security, economy, and interpersonal and cultural exchange. We are working out the details of these three pillars at the Foreign Minister level and the working level, in accordance with the instructions of the Prime Minister.
To mention a few things from the perspective of the 21st century, one can point out the common strategic objectives of the Japan-US alliance. Although these have been revised twice in the past, I think that updating them for the 21st century, is an important task: for both Japan and the United States to confirm the strategic environment at the current time, and upgrade our common strategic objectives. This is one thing. At the same time, with regard to issues that we will deal with jointly – with regard to our common strategic objectives – we must work out matters so that we can take immediate concrete action in the event of a wide range of contingencies. I think that this task must be carried out continually.
Speaking further on the topic of the economy, both of the countries have common issues now, in 2011: environmental issues, energy issues, and common issues of employment and the economy. We are holding discussions to collaborate on areas where collaboration is possible, and build a win-win relationship. For example, we are mentioning collaboration on nuclear-power plants and high-speed rail, including maglev, as this will also lead to economic stimulus and employment in the United States. Speaking of the joint development of rare earths, we have confirmed that the United States and Japan can collaborate in accordance with the current situation.
Speaking of interpersonal exchange, although we also have the JET program now, the number of people in the JET program is unfortunately declining. When I travel overseas, and meet Americans who speak Japanese very well, they often tell me that they were on the JET program. I think that this is really the starting point for exchange between Japan and the United States. Amid expanded interpersonal exchange, including the JET program, and a reverse JET program, so to speak, where Japanese people go to the United States, and for example teach Japanese, rather than speaking of the 21st century, I think that strengthening our ties will promote a strengthened relationship in the Japan-US alliance in the here and now. When Prime Minister Kan visits the United States, he intends to confirm these points, some of which I have mentioned just now, and strengthen the relations of our alliance.

Back to Index