Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > January 20, 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 20, 2012, 0:33 p.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

  1. Opening Remarks - Dispatch of Relevant Ministries' Officials for Consultations with Countries Concerned toward Japan’s Participation in TPP negotiations
  2. Issue of Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan
  3. Domestic Political Situation (Omitted)
  4. Issue of Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan
  5. TPP
  6. Sanctions on Iran
  7. Situation in North Korea

1. Opening Remarks - Dispatch of Relevant Ministries' Officials for Consultations with Countries Concerned toward Japan’s Participation in TPP negotiations

Minister Gemba: Relevant Ministries' officials dispatched from Japan held consultations with their counterparts of Vietnam and Brunei in charge of TPP negotiations towards Japan's participation in TPP negotiations. The consultations were held in Vietnam and Brunei on Tuesday, January 17 and Thursday, January 19, respectively. Furthermore, the officials collected information on TPP negotiations.
 I heard that the result of the overall consultations with both countries this time were very positive. Both Vietnamese government and Brunei government have welcomed for Japan’s interest in participating in the TPP negotiations. I understand that Japan obtained basic support from them.
 As for Chile and Peru, countries participating in TPP negotiations, I would like to inform you  that we are dispatching relevant Ministries' officials on Tuesday, January 24 and Wednesday, January 25, respectively, for coordination and consultations, upon consideration on those countries’ request.

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

Shimada, NHK: It seems that the Chief Cabinet Secretary and other Ministers concerned with Okinawa-related issues had a meeting following the cabinet meeting this morning. Please tell us if some consensus has been formed then. Furthermore, I think that you have talked with the new Minister of Defense Tanaka. Would you tell us the contents of your talks?

Minister Gemba: Following the appointment of Minister of Defense Tanaka, It was necessary to share basic views among relevant ministers. We exchanged views for that purpose.

Shimada, NHK: Minister of Defense Tanaka is going to meet Okinawa Prefectural Governor Nakaima today. Please tell us what kind of attitude you expect the Minister to have when he attends the meeting and what you hope for the meeting.

Minister Gemba: The Minister is going to meet the Prefectural Governor today, and as a matter of course, I am hoping that he will make efforts to build up trust with the Prefectural Governor step by step.

3. Domestic Political Situation (Omitted)

- (Omitted.)

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

Tajima, Nihon Keizai Shimbun: I would like to ask a question about Okinawa-related issues. Minister of Defense Tanaka will visit Okinawa on January 22 and 23, and hold talks with Governor Nakaima. Last autumn, you and other Ministers concerned with Okinawa-related issues visited Okinawa successively. Do you have any plans or intentions to visit Okinawa again and seek Okinawa's understanding to the relocation of the base?

Minister Gemba: I do not have any specific plan of visit now. As a matter of course, however, I would like to visit Okinawa when my visit deepens the relationship of trust, even if it does only slightly, and leads to a reduction of the burdens on Okinawa.

5. TPP

Ikegawa, NHK: With regard to the announcement about the TPP that was released a while ago, I believe that it was one of the major aims of the consultations to listen to the requests from both of the governments for Japan's participation in the TPP negotiation. Please tell us if there were any requests from the governments concerning Japan's participation in the TPP.

Minister Gemba: I am afraid but I have not received a report in detail. I understand that we have obtained their basic supports, and I do not think there are any problems in particular.

6. Sanctions on Iran

Sakamaki, Bloomberg: Japan-U.S. consultations were held over the sanctions against Iran which were authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act of the United States. Please tell us how you take the results and your response for the time being.

Minister Gemba: Japanese officials concerned informed the American counterpart that it is important for us to cooperate with the United States and the rest of the international community. Next, as I have reiterated, we must attach importance to the Japanese economy, world economy, and stable oil price as well as the post-earthquake situation, and I understand that the U.S. side responded that it would implement the Act carefully. Furthermore, we showed our intention of considering a reduction of crude oil imports from Iran. In addition, we requested the United States that they apply the so-called exemptions to Japan. I think that we had a good consultations, which deepened our mutual understanding, and we would like to hold the next round at an early date and continue to have close Japan-U.S.consultations.

7. Situation in North Korea

Noguchi, Nippon Television: I understand that Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission Matsubara said at today's press conference a while ago that two Japanese people, who had been detained in North Korea, were released and they returned to Japan. I would like you to confirm the facts, and please tell us how you as Minister for Foreign Affairs evaluate the facts.

Minister Gemba: The issue has many parts on which I must refrain from making comments, but to be precise, one of them returned to Japan while the other person's return is still under scrutiny. I would like to mention that the Government of Japan and MOFA have been requesting their humanitarian consideration on the two persons.

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