Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > January 4, 2012

(* 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, January 4, 2012, 5:13 p.m.
Place: MOFA Press Conference Room

Main topics:

  1. Opening Remarks - Diplomacy of this year
  2. Situation in North Korea
  3. TPP
  4. Sanctions on Iran
  5. Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan
  6. Diplomacy of this year
  7. New energy policy

1. Opening Remarks - Diplomacy of this year

Minister Gemba: At the beginning of the New Year, I would like to say a few words about what I would like to achieve for this year.
The Great East Japan Earthquake which occurred in March last year made us recoginze again the importance of bond with the international community. Based on this recognition, I have carried out “substantial” or result-oriented diplomacy since I assumed the post of foreign minister, for the purpose of maximizing  Japan’s national interest.
As I mentioned in my last press conference last year, creating an open and multi-layered network in the Asia-Pacific region is essential for the maximization of our national interests, and the efforts we have been making to this end are beginning to bear some fruits. In order to establish a new order in this region, participation of China is crucial. As such, we have been proposing to initiate a strategic dialogue between Japan, the U.S. and China, while further deepning the Japan-U.S. alliance at the same time.
In order to advance “substantial diplomacy”, it is imperative that we grow out of our inward-looking tendency, and in this regard, we have been able to deliver some tangible results which include; decision on sending personnel for the PKO mission in South Sudan, establishment of a standard for bringing defense equipment abroad and marking the beginning of reversal of the decreasing trend of the ODA budget. With regard to TPP, Japan announced its decision to enter into consultations towards participating in the TPP negotiations with the countries concerned, which is promoting the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral FTA.
Based on these initiatives, I would like to carry out more active diplomacy this year which will go beyond breaking away from inward-looking mindset and will enable us to address various global issues. As part of such efforts, I will be visiting Middle East countries from tomorrow in order to ensure our energy security and to discuss how we should respond to the situation in Iran which has been raising concerns amid such issues as so-called “Arab Spring”, their missile tests conducted at the beginning of this year and the progress of their uranium enrichment activities. Through these efforts, we would like to continue our contribution to the peace and stability of the Middle East.
In the international community, especially in East Asia, various issues emerge on a daily basis as represented by the death of  Chairman Kim Jong Il of North Korea. While remaining alert in responding to such situation, we would like to continue to make our best efforts to carry out “substantial diplomacy” in2012, proactively addressing various global issues with the end to maximize Japan’s national interest.

2. Situation in North Korea

Tosa, Asahi Shimbun: In the yesterday’s and also today’s morning editions, the Korean Central News Agency has been intensifying their criticism against Japan. and against the government of Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea. How are you viewing this? Also, what is your analysis on the current situation in North Korea?

Minister Gemba: As Prime Minister Noda himself stated in today’s press conference, I have been instructed by the Prime Minister to “take every precaution to prepare for the unexpected”. This instruction is valid and our basic stance is to work closely with the countries concerned to prepare ourselves fully for any situation.

3. TPP

Funaki, Yomiuri Shimbun: I think you talked about TPP in relation to your result-oriented diplomacy. I understand that this year Japan aims to reach an agreement for the TPP negotiation. Considering that early participation in the negotiation will help Japan gain its point, how are you going to proceed with this issue?

Minister Gemba: In order to participate in the negotiation, first we need an approval from the participating countries. At the same time, we have to make necessary arrangements domestically, meaning that we must obtain domestic consensus over the participation in the negotiation. To put it roughly, I think these are the two hurdles that we need to clear. In the latter case, we must provide well-organized information to the public as well as in the Diet deliberations and continue to make our best efforts to form a national consensus over this matter. As to the approval by the TPP participating countries, I think we need to make prior consultation with the U.S. at the early stage  as there is the Congress procedures that we have to think about.

4. Sanctions on Iran

Kaneko, Reuters: With regard to the U.S. sanctions on Iran, how do you foresee the possibility of Japan exempted from the U.S. sanction measures? Also, does the Japanese government have any view as to when the U.S. will decide on this exemption?

Minister Gemba: Regarding the U.S. sanctions on Iran, especially the banning of financial transaction in dollars by entities that have any business ties with the Central Bank of Iran, I expressed my view to U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton during the foreign ministerial talks the other day that such measures could produce opposite effect by negatively affecting the Japanese and the global economy as well as by causing negative impact on the consumption in the U.S., I remember the U.S. Secretary of State saying in her reply that the U.S. will be careful in executing such measures.
As such, we will keep working on this issue in close coordination with the U.S., and this is also relevant to my visit to the Middle East, there will be an issue of substitution for the crude oil, and there will be a question as to whether financial settlements can be made bypassing the Central Bank. These are the issues that we must keep in mind while working closely with the U.S.
As for the timing, we have our estimate, but we are still not in the situation to announce it.

5. Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan

Ikeda, Kyodo News: My question is also related to the U.S. About the pending issue of relocating Futenma U.S. base, the procedure for accepting the Assessment was started in Okinawa today. The governor of Okinawa has not changed his stance to keep demanding the relocation of the base to outside of Okinawa Prefecture. I have been asking you this question over and over, but it being a new year, I would like to ask you one more time whether or not you will keep working to relocate the base to Henoko, and how you are planning to break through the present situation.

Minister Gemba: We will continue to proceed in accordance with the Japan-U.S. agreement. The bottom-line is how we can reduce the burden of Okinawa without compromising the deterrence effect. From this viewpoint, I will continue to address this issue with my best efforts.

6. Diplomacy of this year

Tosa, Asahi Shimbun: Could you tell us what the most important subject that you wish to or need to work on for this year is? Also, could you tell us how you envision the next year for the government of Prime Minister Noda  and political prospects?

Minister Gemba: In terms of the grand strategy of Japan, including its foreign policy, I think there are roughly two subjects that we need to work on. One is the integrated reform of social security and tax, and the other is TPP. As for the integrated reform of social security and tax and the consumption tax issue, we need to take concrete measures regarding the reduction of Diet seats and to work strongly in coordination with other parties. Prime Minister Noda is determined to lead the way in overcoming these problems and to seek an understanding of the public. These are the critical issues without which we cannot discuss the political situation or the politics this year. With regard to TPP, I think it is an issue that requires a grand strategy, and as I mentioned earlier, I would like to take appropriate measures as Foreign Minister.

7. New energy policy

Yoshioka, NHK: I understand that the government of Japan is planning to compile a new energy policy by summer. When we discuss nuclear energy policy, there is an argument for so-called potential nuclear deterrence. When this issue was taken up in the Diet, you mentioned that you were aware of it. Now, if Japan abandons its nuclear technology, there are those who argue that it might compromise our security in terms of deterrence. Of course, I understand the stance of the government of Prime Minister Noda to firmly uphold the three non-nuclear policies, but could you tell us specifically what you think of this issue in relation to a new energy policy including nuclear energy policy?

Minister Gemba: I understand that the argument you have just mentioned already existed when we first introduced nuclear energy to Japan and I am aware that it still exists.
Our basic stance toward nuclear issue is just what you have mentioned. The basic outline is to reduce the number of nuclear power plants in the future. By summer this year, we need to discuss this issue from various aspects, including the question of whether we should completely discontinue nuclear power generation.

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