(* 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, February 8, 2011, 3:27 p.m.
Place: MOFA Press Conference Room

Main topics:

Opening Remarks
- (1) Visit to Russia
- (2) Announcement of the Final Result of the Southern Sudan Referendum
Japan-Russia Relations
Korean Peninsula Situation
TPP
New START Going into Effect

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Visit to Russia

Minister Maehara: The first announcement is about my visit to Russia. If the Diet gives me the approval, I plan to visit Russia from February 11 to February 12. During this visit, I plan to have a meeting with Foreign Minister Lavrov. In addition, I plan to hold a meeting of the Japan-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Issues with Minister of Industry and Trade Khristenko. I met Foreign Minister Lavrov last November at the APEC conference in Yokohama to hold my first Japan-Russia foreign ministers' meeting. We confirmed that Japan and Russia would further develop our relations in various fields including politics, economy, culture, and cooperation in the international arena. This time, I am looking forward to having the second round of exchanges on the issue of the Northern Territories, just as I did the last time. Also, on that occasion, I intend to thoroughly explain our basic position and hold discussions on measures to develop Japan-Russia relations in various fields including economic areas. I intend to make efforts so that my visit this time will contribute to the further development of the Japan-Russia relations.

(2) Announcement of the Final Result of the Southern Sudan Referendum

Minister: My second announcement is on the referendum in Southern Sudan. On February 7, the South Sudan Referendum Commission announced the final result of the Southern Sudan referendum, in which the overwhelming majority voted for the secession of Southern Sudan. Japan sincerely welcomes the fact that the referendum was held in a peaceful manner and that major progress was seen in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between Northern and Southern Sudan. In anticipation of the expiry of the CPA due to be implemented in July of this year, the Northern and Southern Sudan peace process is at an extremely crucial stage. Japan strongly expects that the parties involved in both Northern and Southern Sudan will accept the result of the referendum and smoothly advance negotiations on various issues toward the envisaged secession and independence of Southern Sudan. To this end, the Government of Japan will proactively support such efforts of both sides.

2. Japan-Russia Relations

Takeuchi, TBS: I have a question about relations with Russia. At yesterday's National Rally to Demand the Return of the Northern Territories, Prime Minister Kan criticized President Medvedev's visit to the Northern Territories, calling it "outrageous." This statement was made immediately prior to your visit to Russia. I would like to ask you firstly if you have any strategy behind (such a remark), and if so what it is. Also, I would like to ask you if you had looked into the draft of that speech beforehand.

Minister: I will start by answering your second question: I did not see it. We view President Medvedev's visit to Kunashiri Island as extremely regrettable, and we lodged a strong protest. At yesterday's national rally for the return of the Northern Territories, I think that Prime Minister Kan　spoke about his own feelings on this topic in front of people who have been working for this for a long time. I am not in the place to interpret the words of the Prime Minister. What the government and the Prime Minister hold in common is that Japan-Russia relations are important bilateral relations, that there is still room for development, and that given the strategic environment, they must be developed further. The Northern Territories issue, however, remains unresolved. I think that there is room for the development of Japan-Russia relations if we resolve this issue, finalize the return of the four Northern Territories islands, and sign a peace treaty. From this standpoint, in order to strengthen the Japan-Russia relations, I am visiting Moscow, and hold thorough discussions with Foreign Minister Lavrov and Industry Minister Khristenko.

Yamamoto, Sekainippo: In relation to the Northern Territories, the Japan Teachers' Union had a meeting at the end of last month. From the media reports, I think that this is coming from the heart of Japan's constituency for the Northern Territories; a junior high school teacher from the city of Nemuro taught about the background of the islands, and said he did not know which country the Northern Territories belong to. The media also reported that when they asked the children, some said that they no longer knew (which country these islands belong to). The Japan Teachers' Union is a powerful supporter of the Democratic Party of Japan, and certainly, this kind of education in Japan, and in the heart of the constituency (of the Northern Territories) among others, will sap our strength on the issue of the return of the Northern Territories. Please tell us if you plan to provide solid guidance on this topic, and what makes it difficult to grasp the issue.

Minister: I have not yet confirmed the facts of what you said now. If it is true, then I think it is highly regrettable. The Northern Territories are the inherent territory of Japan, and Nemuro is the origin of the movement for the return of the Northern Territories. I believe that it is arranged that people are kept well-informed especially educators, about the historical background for why they are our inherent territory. I thus think that it would be extremely unfortunate if there were teachers like this with such shallow understanding. Although I am speaking hypothetically, it would be highly regrettable if there were such a teacher. After confirming the facts, in general terms, this issue cannot be allowed to fade away. The government is united in its commitment to raise a national debate on this topic, and working to enlighten and raise the awareness about this issue.

Yamamoto, Sekainippo: You said, "This issue cannot be allowed to fade away." To be specific, is it your view that the details of what was taught should be investigated thoroughly, and efforts made so that such education is not conducted?

Minister: Since I have not confirmed the facts, I intend to confirm whether this is true.

Inada, NHK: I have a question about your visit to Russia. Firstly, on the Northern Territories issue, after President Medvedev visited Kunashiri Island last year, Japan's public opinion of Russia has been hostile. Meanwhile, the Russian side has shown a very unyielding attitude, and strengthened its position that Japan should accept the results of the Second World War. You just stated that this would be the second round of negotiations over the Northern Territories. My first question is what specific developments you expect in the negotiations over the Northern Territories. Additionally, Russia is currently extremely focused on Asia. I think that this is particularly true in terms of security. Amid these circumstances, and based also on such factors as China's maritime expansion, do you intend to build security relations with Russia in Asia? Also, what are your views of Russia's rapid expansion of its military?

Minister: In any case, this is a topic that I will speak about with Foreign Minister Lavrov, and I do not intend to hold a Foreign Ministers' meeting via the press. Therefore, with regard to questions like the ones you just asked, I will be giving a briefing after the Foreign Ministers' meeting, and I intend to speak thoroughly on this topic then.

Sakita, Yomiuri Shimbun: The tax authorities have pointed out that a Japanese fishing company paid a large sum of money to Russia. According to an investigation by the Fisheries Agency, as with the four ships that were pointed out, most of the boats fishing around the town (Northern Territories) islands negotiate the same fishing agreement every year. My first question is whether you think that there is a relationship between fishing-industry issues and the Northern Territories issue. My other question is whether you intend to bring up this issue for discussion during your upcoming visit to Russia.

Minister: As I answered just now, we will be holding a Foreign Ministers' meeting, and I intend to refrain from making prior statements which would amount to conducting negotiations via mass media. Speaking of issues of the fishing industry, I think that it is a major precondition that fishermen should conduct their operations in an orderly fashion, within existing frameworks. This is an essential requirement for maintaining stable operations. That said, I am thoroughly aware of the objectives of the fishermen, and I intend to discuss this, including collaborating with the relevant institutions to realize those objectives.

Hanamura, TV Asahi: At yesterday's Rally to Demand the Return of the Northern Territories, you said that you would "stake your political life" on the issue. I would like to ask your intention of making this statement at that time, leaving aside the details of the Foreign Ministers' meeting. Also, I think that there has been no progress on this issue for a long time; what kind of measures do you intend to actually take in order to stake your political life on moving this issue forward?

Minister: My intention in saying that I "stake my political life" was that when I was a university student, I majored in international politics. This was just when the Cold War between the United States and Soviet Union was extremely intense, and I was irritated that no leadership could be seen in Japanese diplomacy. This was also one of the things that inspired me to become a statesman. As an extension of this, I studied at the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management, and researched the Northern Territories issue jointly with students from the United States. At that time, I was instructed by Mr. Ichiro Suetsugu. When I ran for the Kyoto Prefectural Parliament election as an independent at the age of 28, I still recall I spoke out on the Northern Territories issue in my stump speeches. That is how strongly I feel about this issue. It is also a topic that inspired me to become a politician, and I am currently working as a politician with the belief that Japan's post-war does not end until this issue is resolved. I spoke about my desire to resolve this issue as a lawmaker. I spoke of our strong desire to resolve this issue as early as possible.

Kamide, Freelance: Since this is an important issue, please allow me to say the following. In your answer to the question by the journalist from Sekainippo, you stated that you would confirm the facts. Although I also recognize that the Northern Territories are the territory of Japan, I think that there is a tendency that people become hysterical over issues related to schools, and the teachers’ union in particular. Currently, amid the issue of graduation ceremonies in Tokyo, and amid this, the issue of basic legal rights of labor of national civil servants, I think that there is a kind of hysterical reaction denying unions. I would like these issues to be viewed from a broader perspective; please tell us your views.

Minister: My answer to the question just now was not meant to the teachers’ unions. If it is true that a teacher said the things that were mentioned just now, and in particular in Nemuro, which is the origin of the movement for the return of the Northern Territories, then as a teacher, that would be extremely problematic. I would like to reiterate that I am not linking this to the teachers’ union.

3. Korean Peninsula Situation

Nishioka, Mainichi Newspapers: Today, talks are being held between the authorities of South Korea and North Korea. It would be the first South-North dialogue since the Yeonpyeong Island incident of November 2010. Please tell us about Japan's position on this matter. Additionally, please tell us what kind of progress between South Korea and North Korea would be a prerequisite to start the Japan-North Korea dialogue.

Minister: With regard to the series of incidents that occurred last year -- specifically, the patrol ship Cheonan sinking incident, the case in which North Korea publicized its uranium enrichment program, and artillery attacks on Yeonpyeong Island -- the Government of Japan has severely criticized North Korea over all these incidents. We believe that collaboration with South Korea, which is a directly involved party, is particularly important with regard to this matter. Therefore, we have continuously stated that priority would be placed on dialogue between South Korea and North Korea.
Although South Korea and North Korea have continuously held dialogue so far, there has rarely been a situation in the past in which we felt quite comfortable. Therefore, while paying great attention without being optimistic, we will carefully watch how things develop. In any case, in collaborating with South Korea and collaborating with the United States, we especially held a trilateral foreign ministers' meeting in early December last year in Washington. On that occasion, we confirmed that North Korea needs to take concrete action in order for it to participate in the Six-Party Talks. We intend to reach out to Russia and China to press such demands on North Korea.

4. TPP

Iwakami, Freelance: I would like to ask a question on the TPP. I believe that so far, you have continuously said that concluding the TPP is necessary to expand and enhance the free trade system. Also, there are reports every now and then that with regard to this issue, about the only sector that would be affected would be the agricultural sector. However, it has recently been revealed that 24 industrial sectors would be affected in various ways, and at the same time, concerns have begun to be increasingly voiced. For example, the medical and judicial systems are the systems that support the daily lives of the people, and although they are not directly related to trade, it has also been revealed that they will be adversely affected, and the Japan Federation of Bar Associations and the Japan Medical Association (JMA) have started to voice concerns. In addition, at the very footsteps of the Democratic Party of Japan, there has emerged the "Shinchou-ni-Kangaeru Kai" (a group of lawmakers urging the government to cautiously consider the TPP issue), and this is about to become an official Diet members' league. Former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Masahiko Yamada is the chairman of this group, which has energetically held meetings, and as if to stop the TPP, calls for a review are increasingly growing.
In consideration of these points, please tell us once again your view on whether the TPP is really necessary or whether there is justification.

Minister: While it has been reported by some news media, I had a dinner at Ambassador Roos' official residence. Ambassador Roos invited me to a dinner for the family or couples. As he said he would not mind if I brought over another couple, the six of us, including the Chief Cabinet Secretary and his wife, had a dinner. This topic came up during that occasion, and what I found very interesting about Ambassador Roos' comments was that while there are reports saying that the United States were coercing Japan into joining the TPP, they were completely wrong. As this is also what I have been saying in response to interpellations at the Diet, Ambassador Roos made comments that backed this up. In other words, he said there were cautious views in the US side that if Japan joins the TPP, the United States might have to comply with Japan's demands.
I believe that with regard to matters of such nature, under circumstances in which information is not fully disclosed, there is an aspect in which changing the current system of trade or the possibility of that is totally blown out of proportion. For example, although the Your Party is saying that it is in favor of the TPP, lawmaker Ryuhei Kawada, who is a member of Your Party, is a victim of AIDS-tainted blood products, and he asserted at the Diet plenary session that the universal healthcare system should be maintained. Mr. Kawada’s argument sounds as if Japan were to join the TPP, it would have to adopt the same system as that of the United States. That would not be free trade; it would be more like integration between countries. As such, I think that the TPP is viewed as some kind of a monster.
For example, even in the EU, where economic integration has been promoted, the healthcare systems are varied depending on the country. In other words, that is the case even with EU, where the economies are integrated. Although ASEAN is also aiming for economic integration by 2015, it is natural for each member to have a different healthcare system as a sovereign country. In the event that the United States should say that if Japan joins the TPP, it must review its healthcare system, then I don’t think that Japan should join the TPP. But I don’t think the United States will make such a demand. Amid this situation, however, discussions will be held on how each side would try to achieve consistency in the process of promoting deregulation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs indeed is playing the central role in gathering relevant information, and we would like to prepare an environment for discussions based on accurate information. Fear spreads because there is not enough information. Yesterday, Ambassador Roos mentioned that there are concerns in the United States that if Japan joins the TPP, various requests presented by Japan might turn the TPP into something that the United States did not envision. As there are similar concerns in Japan, there is an aspect in which both sides are suspicious of each other. I believe that we should firmly conduct information gathering, and, as I mentioned earlier, if there is something that really infringes on Japan's sovereignty, we can negotiate on that, as these are negotiations that we are talking about. Nevertheless, under such circumstances, we can decide not to join, but I do not think such circumstances will happen. Rather than that, I believe that negotiations are about how to have Japan's position successfully incorporated -- that even if this were not about the TPP, negotiations are about reaching a point of mutual compromise in the process of making assertions, be it the ASEAN plus 3 or the ASEAN plus 6 or even when concluding other EPAs and FTAs. In that sense, I believe that with regard to the mission that we have been charged with, it is important to create an environment for conducting discussions that are convincing to the people through thorough information collection and information disclosure and by disclosing sufficient information that would contribute to a decision on Japan’s participation to the TPP.

Iwakami, Freelance: The Japan Medical Association (JMA) has already expressed strong concerns. While the association has clearly expressed concerns that the universal healthcare system would crumble as a result of the expansion of mixed treatment (treatment covered under national health insurance and treatment not covered by national health insurance), please tell us whether you still think that this is groundless apprehension. As you also mentioned information collection, please tell us whether, at the moment, you yourself, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the government have yet to complete gathering sufficient information rather than having completed information gathering and finished making an analysis and judgment.

Minister: As you are aware, nine countries have expressed intention to participate in the TPP. They have been holding consultations about once a month. They are holding these meetings energetically. Speaking of the conclusion, despite not having expressed an intention to join the TPP, we believe that we have been able to collect a considerable amount of information with cooperation from countries with which we have good relations.
   However, just as I have responded to interpellations at the Diet, we cannot publicize or disclose information on matters that have yet to be firmed up. In particular, a country that has not decided to join the TPP -- a third party -- cannot disclose information, saying that the nine countries are discussing this and that, when such matters have yet to be firmed up. Nevertheless, the nine countries have provided Japan with a considerable amount of information on such discussions including matters in progress.
   As we have not announced that we intend to join the TPP, we cannot disclose information on matters that have yet to be firmed up. Therefore, we are currently only disclosing information that can be disclosed.
   We understand the concerns of the JMA. As I mentioned earlier, I understand that there are fears about the unknown, in the sense that we do not know what will happen. However, similar to agriculture, putting aside the question of whether Japan joins the TPP, medical expenses will rise as the aging of the population progresses. In order to create a sustainable healthcare system amid this rise in medical expenses, we already have the high-cost medical care expense system, and we may naturally review this system including how it ought to be operated. Therefore, I believe that we indeed need to proactively think about changes in our healthcare system over time as a matter to be discussed separately from the TPP.

5. New START Going into Effect

Okada, Chugoku Shimbun: The other day, the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) for nuclear weapons between the United States and Russia went into effect. I would first like to ask your reaction to this. Additionally, I think that as the next step, there is a move toward the reduction of tactical nuclear weapons; I would like to ask if you have an outlook on this, and your views on what is possible, as the government of a country that suffered from atomic bombing.

Minister: Since you are from the Chugoku Shimbun newspaper, Hiroshima, which was a victim of the atomic bombing, is in your area, and I believe that you asked your question with an awareness of these issues. I think that I must see the recent ratification of START between the United States and Russia as a positive step toward a world without nuclear weapons.
Although, it is only one step, and I feel that we still have a long road ahead. As you pointed out, the important questions are what to do with other types of nuclear weapons in addition to strategic nuclear weapons, and rather than asking for reductions from just the United States and Russia, asking other nuclear-armed states to cooperate and coordinate as well.
At the same time, in order to make treaties relating to nuclear weapons effective, such as the Cut-off Treaty or CTBT, it is important to ask for cooperation from countries that have not cooperated to date. Therefore, we have created a group, which we jointly chair with Australia, for working toward a world without nuclear weapons, a society in which the risk from nuclear weapons is small. In September of last year, the group met at the General Assembly of the United Nations, and its discussions are now held at the working level. Although I praise the ratification of START between the United States and Russia, it is only a first step. As a victim of atomic bombing, where Japan should solidly take the initiative is to advance collaboration with countries, in order to cooperate in all aspects in order to achieve a world without nuclear weapons.

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