Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > November 30, 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 Koichiro Gemba

Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2011, 0:30 p.m.
Place: MOFA Press Conference Room

Main topics:

  1. Issue of Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan
  2. Nuclear Cooperation
  3. Attack on British Embassy in Iran

1. Issue of Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan

Shimada, NHK: Governor Nakaima said that his mouth would be tainted if he made any comment with regard to the remarks by Mr. Tanaka, former Director-General of the Okinawa Defense Bureau made. The people of Okinawa are showing a strong emotion against the remarks. I think that it is a common sense that the Futenma issue will now face a very difficult situation in the future. Do you think the problem will have any influence on the Government's procedure for the relocation of Futenma Air Station?

Minister Gemba: As I said yesterday, former Director-General Tanaka's remarks were outrageous and could not be tolerated at all. As a minister involved in Okinawa-related issues, I sincerely apologize to the people of Okinawa.
 With regard to your question, I recognize that the circumstances surrounding Okinawa has increased its difficulty since the remarks were made. On the other hand, however, in my position responsible for foreign policy and national security, I will prepare for the submission of the environmental impact assessment report by the end of this year.

Hanamura, TV Asahi: Former Director-General Tanaka's another remark was questioned at the House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee this morning. In the same gathering, he reportedly said senior officials at the rank of defense councilor recognize that the relocation of Futenma Air Station would not take place unless the procedure for the relocation to Henoko does not make progress by next summer. Minister of Defense, as well as Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister of Defense Watanabe, said that they were not aware of this remark. What do you think of the officials in charge having such recognition?

Minister: First, I have not confirmed Mr. Tanaka's remark with him. I presume that some media reported his remark. I do not think it is appropriate to comment without confirming the facts.

Yokota, Mainichi Newspapers: Mr. Urushibara, the New Komeito’s Party Diet Affairs Committee Chairman, stated in a TV program this morning that Minister of Defense Ichikawa's oversight responsibility will be questioned and it will develop into a motion of censure. Do you think this issue deserves a censure motion on Minister of Defense Ichikawa?

Minister: I am sorry but I am not in a position to comment on that though I am a Cabinet member involved in Okinawa-related issues.

Matsudo, Ryukyu Shimpo: You said that the situation of Okinawa has increased its difficulty. Are you going to consider the possibility of postponing the submission of the impact assessment report until next year?

Minister: As I said earlier, i recognize the fact that the remark has made the circumstances surrounding Okinawa even more difficult. As I mentioned, however, I will make preparations to submit the environmental impact assessment report by the end of this year.
 We have been making efforts to build trust, in even the slightest terms, with the people of Okinawa, including the Governor of Okinawa and government officials directly concerned with the issue, though we are afraid that our efforts have not been sufficient. I am thinking of making every effort once again to build relations of trust with Okinawa.

2. Nuclear Cooperation

Yokota, Mainichi Newspapers: I would like to ask you about nuclear agreements and nuclear exports. I remember that you stated at the Foreign Affairs Committee this morning that it is fundamentally valuable to conduct nuclear cooperation, by ascertaining the circumstances of recipient countries requesting Japan's nuclear cooperation with proper consideration on nonproliferation. May I understand that you think nuclear cooperation in general including nuclear export is meaningful?

Minister: As I said earlier, nuclear cooperation and export of nuclear power plant are two different things. After all, export of nuclear power plant is fundamentally a business opportunity and decision-making of each private entity. Therefore, these two matters should be understood that way. Having said that, however, as I said, we should decide on nuclear cooperation upon individual and comprehensive considerations, incorporating the viewpoint of nuclear nonproliferation, energy policies, or nuclear policies to be more specific, of recipient countries, Japan's bilateral relations with them, and their expectations and trust on Japan. In that sense, with regard to the agreements submitted this time, we think that nuclear cooperation is meaningful.

Yokota, Mainichi Newspapers: Then, do you mean that the significance of nuclear cooperation agreements or nuclear power plant exports is applicable only to those which negotiations have already started? May I understand that you do not think nuclear cooperation agreements or exports as Japan's nuclear cooperation in general, including those to be agreed in the future, have significance?

Minister: As I said earlier as well, we should decide on new cases considering the causes or investigation results of the accident (at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi Power Plant), as well as the four points that I mentioned a while ago, that is, nuclear nonproliferation, the nuclear policies of the recipient countries, Japan's bilateral relations with them, and the extent of expectations from and trust on Japan they have. In other words, until now, we have made the decision individually on each case with consideration of the four points, rather than the investigation results of the accident. But from now on, we are to make final decisions on new cases with proper consideration of the conclusion of the investigation.
 I have to add that, considering the magnitude of the accident we allowed to happen, it is rather a expected contribution for Japan to have some form of cooperative relationship with the rest of the world, especially those promoting nuclear policies, in order to share the lessons of the accident. I think that we must make decisions with consideration to this point as well.

3. Attack on British Embassy in Iran

Tosa, Asahi Shimbun: Iranian protesters stormed the British Embassy in Tehran. It appears that this was triggered by Western countries' call for additional economic sanctions. What is the current status of consideration with regard to Japan's economic sanctions on Iran? Furthermore, do you have any comments on the storming of the Iranian protesters? Many countries have issued statements condemning the deed. What is the Japanese Government's view on the deed?

Minister: I have information regarding what you said at hand. Yesterday, some protesters turned into a mob, broke into the premises of the British Embassy in Iran, and committed vandalism. This is regrettable. It goes without saying that it is Iran's obligation to protect such diplomatic missions in Iran. We call on the Iranian Government to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. Japanese residents in Iran are subject of a great concern for us. Now, we have called attention while we have not received information on Japanese residents who were injured or suffered damages. As for sanctions against Iran, we must examine what kind of additional measures is appropriate, in cooperation with countries concerned. With regard to Iran, there are many aspects you have to consider.  We would like to consider them, and, in fact, I could say that we are now considering them.

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