(* 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 Koichiro Gemba
Date: Friday, November 18, 2011, 10:10 a.m.
Place: In front of Ministerial Reception Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Main topics:
- Opening Remarks
- (1) Efforts to Strengthen ASEAN Connectivity
- (2) Proposal for East Asia Low Carbon Growth Partnership
- (3) Visit to Japan by H. E. Mr. Edmond HAXHINASTO, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania
- Japan-China Relations
- Rotational Deployment of U.S. Forces to Australia and Expansion of Training
- Visit to Japan by their Majesty the King and the Queen of Bhutan
- Abduction Issues
- ASEAN Summit Meeting
- Visit to Okinawa of Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Taketoshi and Other Officials
- East Asia Summit Meeting
1. Opening Remarks
(1) Efforts to Strengthen ASEAN Connectivity
Minister Gemba: I would like to start with three announcements. First of all, the ASEAN summit is under way, and I would like to go into some detail about Japan's initiative to strengthen ASEAN connectivity, parts of which have already been reported by the media.
The Japan-ASEAN summit which is taking place in Indonesia today will be a historic meeting at which a new Japan-ASEAN joint declaration and action program will be adopted for the first time in eight years. We would like to further strengthen our ties with ASEAN through this summit. In concrete terms, Japan will enhance its efforts in such fields as strengthening ASEAN connectivity, disaster management, and exchanges of personnel. Some parts of our plans to enhance ASEAN connectivity have in particular been reported in the media this morning. Today the Prime Minister is scheduled to announce plans for some 2 trillion yen in infrastructure projects involving assistance to ASEAN across a range of fields.
I just used the word assistance, but this is also an initiative in economic diplomacy that I think can be seen as a business opportunity for our country. Efforts to strengthen connectivity in ASEAN nations, which have a lot of needs in terms of infrastructure, may be a big chance for Japanese companies. We hope that the private sector will be an active participant going forward. There should be an all-Japan effort to meet this challenge. For financing we will of course use overseas development assistance [ODA]. In addition, owing to the cooperation of JBIC [Japan Bank for International Cooperation] and ADB [Asian Development Bank], we are hoping for active participation by the private sector.
On a related note, I would like to add that Myanmar has not been targeted by this initiative to support ASEAN connectivity. However, the Japanese government including myself has taken a favorable view of recent developments in Myanmar, such as the meeting between the President of Myanmar and Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, the release of the political prisoners and other steps toward democratization, and progress toward national reconciliation. Thus Japan is planning to work together with Mynamar on studies pertaining to linkages with Dawei Port and the development of a special economic zone, in response to requests from the government of that country. I suppose the Prime Minister has already mentioned this decision [at the ASEAN summit].
(2) Proposal for East Asia Low Carbon Growth Partnership
Minister: At the East Asia Summit in Bali, Prime Minister Noda will again articulate our proposal for an East Asia Low Carbon Growth Partnership and seek approval from the leaders of the countries concerned.
The concept is to build a regional mechanism to promote low carbon growth that would complement efforts through the United Nations. East Asia is a global center of economic growth and is also the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gas. Our government recently proposed this concept and held consultations with the relevant countries in various fora. After obtaining the approval of EAS leaders, we are planning to hold an international conference on the partnership next April in Tokyo. During my visits to ASEAN countries, I have explained in detail the importance of bilateral offset credits to my counterparts, especially the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Dr. Marty Natalegawa. The idea is that Japan would export energy-saving technologies to other countries in the region and get credit for the resulting reductions of greenhouse gas achieved by those countries. Since I took office, I have mentioned many times that exports of environmental technologies would be key. Therefore it is very important for us to secure the support of each country for such an effort.
(3) Visit to Japan by H. E. Mr. Edmond HAXHINASTO, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania
Minister: H. E. Mr. Edmond HAXHINASTO, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, will visit Japan from Sunday, November 20, to Tuesday, November 22. During his visit we are scheduled to meet to discuss relations between the two countries as well as international affairs. It is expected that his visit to Japan will strengthen the already friendly relations between our two countries. We regard Albania as a key country for our diplomacy in the Balkans.
2. Japan-China Relations
Question: When do you intend to visit China? I believe that the Prime Minister is also supposed to go to China before the end of the year. What results does the government expect to come out of your visit?
Minister: I'm sorry that I'm not yet in a position to announce the details of my schedule, in part because of the Diet [which has to approve foreign visits]. However, China is a very important country for us, and it is especially important to deepen our mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests, that is, foster win-win relations between the two countries. In order to accomplish this, we need to make the relationship more substantial. Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China. As we head toward this anniversary, it is important that we take resolute steps at the grassroots level to lay the groundwork for an improvement in public sentiment in both countries.
3. Rotational Deployment of U.S. Forces to Australia and Expansion of Training
Question: President Obama made an announcement in Australia that 2,500 Marines would be deployed in Australia. Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura said that this deployment would have no impact on Japan. However, 2,500 U,S, personnel from Okinawa actually participated in the regular large-scale exercise conducted with Japan and Australia in July. And I don't suppose there will be no impact on that exercise. I think it would be irresponsible for you to say to the people of Okinawa and the rest of the Japan that you don't know if there will be an impact or that there won't be any impact. Could you tell us whether you really haven't heard about this or whether do you do know but just are not able say?
Minister: I have been fully briefed, of course. But I don't see any impact now on the roadmap for the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. In any case, this is a third-party decision made by the United States and Australia. At the same time, I have directed my staff to ensure that we have appropriate lines of communication with both countries. I will limit my comment to that.
Question: Given that this issue is related to the use of taxpayers' money, can't you comment further?
Minister: For the moment I would prefer not to. The United States has its own view of global affairs. I think it probably came to this decision while taking into account the importance of the dispersal of forces and other factors, but I won't say any more beyond that.
4. Visit to Japan by their Majesty the King and the Queen of Bhutan
Question: I heard that the Minister of Defense, Mr. Ichikawa, was absent from a state dinner for the King of Bhutan and instead attended a party organized by a fellow lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Japan. I also heard that Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura gave warning to several ministers for talking on their cell phones during a buffet for the visiting royals. I wonder if such behavior by Cabinet ministers was carelessness or just bad manners. What do you think?
Minister: It would not be appropriate for me to comment on that. The Chief Cabinet Secretary will deal with the matter appropriately and speak on behalf of the Cabinet.
5. Abduction Issues
Question: My question concerns the issue of abductions by North Korea. It has been reported that our government obtained a set of records on the residents of Pyongyang a year ago, and that those records have revealed a person whose date of birth and other personal information coincides with that of Ms. Megumi Yokota. Is it true?
Minister: Obviously we are always gathering intelligence related to this issue. However, I will refrain from discussing in public the nature of the information that we have obtained as it may compromise our future efforts. On the same note, I am not in a position to comment here on the credibility of such records.
6. ASEAN Summit Meeting
Question: Against the backdrop of Japan's decision to start consultations with a view toward joining the TPP negotiation, what is the meaning of efforts to build economic partnerships in the framework of ASEAN+3 or +6, and how do these relate to the TPP?
Minister: This is a very important question. Our objective has long been to seek a FTAAP (Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific). As for the TPP, you all know that the Prime Minister recently announced that we would begin consultations with a view to participating in the negotiations. Broadly speaking, I suppose that an FTAAP may be constituted from three frameworks. The first is the TPP, the second is ASEAN+3, that is, ASEAN plus China, South Korea and Japan, and the third is ASEAN+6, that is, including Australia, New Zealand and India. And I think it is important that moves toward building these three frameworks advance in parallel with one other.
Regarding this issue, I suppose many countries have been very interested in and are closely following the steps being taken by Japan.
7. Visit to Okinawa of Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Taketoshi and Other Officials
Question: Today Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Taketoshi and the deputy directors-generals of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense and other stakeholder agencies will visit Okinawa. Does this represent a new stage different from past visits by Cabinet ministers?
Minister: I am aware that Mr. Taketoshi is visiting Okinawa. Naturally, the various ministries are in constant communication with each other and with the Prime Minister's Office. At any rate, through close coordination among all ministers with stake in this issue, I would like to move forward with efforts to increase the understanding and support of the people of Okinawa for policies on reducing the burden of U.S. bases, promoting the prefectural economy, and addressing other base-related issues.
8. East Asia Summit Meeting
Question: I believe that our government plans to put forward a proposal for maritime security at the East Asia Summit. But there is concern in China that this proposal is intended to restrain or counter that country. What do you think about it?
Minister: The proposal does not target any particular country. The high seas are a public good in which a lot of countries have an interest. In addition, in order to establish a prosperous and stable regional order in the Asia Pacific, the role of China is essential. As I mentioned before, we should establish a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests and win-win relations. And it is important to work together closely and build partnerships across a wide range of fields, such as ocean search and rescue, anti-piracy efforts, and measures against marine pollution. The goal of our proposal is to create a forum for open discussion of these issues by many countries.
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