Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > January 13, 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: Friday, January 13, 2012, 10:23 a.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

  1. Opening Remarks
    • (1) Visit to Middle East
    • (2) Japan-France Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue
    • (3) Official Trip to Nemuro Jurisdiction District
    • (4) Cabinet Reshuffle
  2. Issue of Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan
  3. Contact by Mr. Hiroshi Nakai, House of Representatives Member with North Korean Official
  4. Visit to the Middle East
  5. Sanctions on Iran

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Visit to Middle East

Minister Gemba: I would like to make a comment on my visit to the Middle East. My visit was for the purpose of pursuing an active diplomacy toward emerging nations, and I could get the feeling of something with my own skin the vitality of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and other countries called emerging nations this time. I think it was worthwhile to have deepened Japan's collaborative relationships with these countries.
As you are aware, 30%, 21%, and 10% of the crude oil that Japan imports are from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar, respectively. We agreed on enhancing their cooperation in energy security. Furthermore, I was able to exchange very concrete views on the field of renewable energy and confirm their cooperation as well.
In Afghanistan, I had talks with President Karzai and the Foreign Minister. It was meaningful that I could arrange for the directionality of the Tokyo meeting expected this July rather than just confirm the contents of the meeting.

(2) Japan-France Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue

Minister Gemba: I am going to have the first Japan-France foreign ministerial strategic dialogue with Foreign Minister of France Alain Marie Juppé noon today. A time frame of three hours is given for the dialogue, and I would like to exchange views in depth on regional issues and global issues as well as Japan's bilateral relations with France.

(3) Official Trip to Nemuro Jurisdiction District

Minister Gemba: I am going to take an official trip to the Nemuro jurisdiction district tomorrow. I am scheduled to make an inspection of the Northern Territories from the sea and Cape Nosappu. I would like to see the Northern Territories with my own eyes and earnestly hear the local people's feelings and thoughts about the return of the Northern Territories.

(4) Cabinet Reshuffle

Minister Gemba: All the Ministers' letters of resignation have been collected at today's Cabinet meeting.

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

Takeuchi, TBS: It is currently in progress, but it is said that the Minister of Defense will be replaced in the cabinet reshuffle. You yourself have emphasized the trustworthy relationship between Okinawa and the relevant cabinet members. What do you think of the influence that the replacement will have on the issue of the relocation of Futenma Air Station?

Minister Gemba: It has not yet formally decided as replacement, and I think that it is not so appropriate for me to make a comment at this time. In any case, I think it is important for the Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, State Minister in Charge of Okinawa, and Chief Cabinet Secretary, who are under the command of the Prime Minister as a matter of course, to work in cooperation with the single purpose of responding in good faith to this problem.

3. Contact by Mr. Hiroshi Nakai, House of Representatives Member with North Korean Official

Takeuchi, TBS: We understand that Mr. Hiroshi Nakai, a former Japanese state minister in charge of the abduction issue, had a contact with a North Korean official in China. Were you aware of this in advance?

Minister Gemba: I am aware of the media report, but I understand that this is absolutely an activity as an individual Diet member.

4. Visit to the Middle East

Ishida, Yomiuri Shimbun: Regarding your visit to the Middle East. You said that you agreed with the Middle Eastern countries on enhancing cooperation in energy security. According to Japan's current crude oil imports, Japan's dependency rate on the Middle East is close to 90%. Meanwhile, there are issues such as the situation of Iran. What do you think of the increasing dependency rate of crude oil imports on the Middle East?

Minister Gemba: As you point out, it is a fact that Japan's dependency rate of crude oil imports on the Gulf countries in the Middle East is 90%, so I think Japan should consider the diversification of energy for a solution of this issue in the first place. That is why Japan's former basic energy plan intended to increase our dependency rate of energy on nuclear power to the 50% range. However, from now on, Japan will mainly focus on the fields of renewable energy and energy saving including energy storage, so it will be the basic direction.
 Immediate economic issues, however, can never be ignored. In that sense, I think we must squarely face the reality and take assuring measures for the immediate economic issues. In that sense, of course, there is an important purpose of visiting the Middle East this time as you might guess.

Ishida, Yomiuri Shimbun: Do you mean Japan should expand energy-saving and renewable energy technologies from the viewpoint of energy security rather than the diversification of import sources?

Minister Gemba: Basically, I think we should pursue both. However, crude oil, for example, is available from regions other than the Middle East while energy-saving and renewable energy    require certain lead time for technology development. In that sense, we should continue to addressing this problem while considering the factor of time. The time factor refers to the time required for renewable energy and new energy or energy-saving and energy storage technologies to become more widespread or enter a new stage. We are to present a clear vision of them and address the problem of crude oil or LNG, which Japan is to utilize relatively more often in the future.

5. Sanctions on Iran

Ikegawa, NHK: During the talks between Minister of Finance Azumi and Treasury Secretary Geithner yesterday, Minister of Finance Azumi indicated that Japan will reduce crude oil imports from Iran in a stepwise manner as early as possible. However, there is an opinion that this indication was a little too hasty a judgment. What is your view on this point?

Minister Gemba: At Present, approximately 9% of the crude oil that Japan imports is from Iran. The quantity has decreased by approximately 40% from 500,000 BD to 300,000 BD for the last five years. I understand that Mr. Azumi stated his own opinion with consideration of the current state and future prospects of the situation.
 Crucial thing is that effective sanctions be made against Iran. This is what matters first. There is one more important matter, that is, above all, stability of the market or price of crude oil need to be　secured simultaneously. Two things will occur if the price of crude oil should rise. One is that the oil price hike will benefit Iran. That is, this could result in a situation conflicting to the purpose of the sanctions.
 At the same time, the rising price of crude oil will adversely affect not only the economy of Japan but also the economy of the world. Furthermore, the United States could experience a downturn in consumption. I exchange views on these points candidly and frankly with Secretary of State Clinton, and we would like to have the United States carefully implement the Act, making allowance for such circumstances, to which Secretary of State Clinton promised. I think it is important to deal with the matter in close contact with the United States paying attention to remarks made on such matters.

Ikegawa, NHK: Can I understand that the remarks made by Mr. Azumi are personal ones?

Minister Gemba: As I mentioned, in my understanding he made the remarks with consideration of the current state and future prospects of the situation.

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