Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > October 12, 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, October 12, 2012, 10:56 a.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

  1. Opening Remarks
    • (1) Visit to France, the United Kingdom and Germany
    • (2) Relationship between Japan and the transitional government of the Republic of Madagascar
  2. Japan-China relations
  3. Takeshima issue
  4. Domestic political issues
  5. Negotiations with the DPRK
  6. Visit to Europe
  7. Japan-Russia relations
  8. Japan-China relations

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Visit to France, the United Kingdom and Germany

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: I will be visiting France, the United Kingdom, and Germany from Monday, October 15, through Saturday, October 20. In France, I will hold the 2nd Japan-France Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with Mr. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Frence. Further, in the UK, I will hold the First Japan-UK Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue and a working dinner with the Rt Hon William Hague MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the UK. On top of that, I will hold a meeting and a working lunch with Mr. Guido Westerwelle, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, in Germany.

Since the occurrence of the Great East Japan Earthquake, leaders and foreign ministers of these three countries have successively visited Japan since the occurrence of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Japan shares with these three nations the same basic values such as democracy, the rule of law, market economy and free trade. They are our important partners and also fellow members of the G8 countries. I would also add that these countries wield strong influence over the formation of international opinion. Taking such facts into consideration, I will visit these countries to crystallize the policies that were confirmed at the highest level regarding bilateral relations, and will hold extensive exchanges of opinions through the framework of the strategic dialogues.

During this visit, I am planning to further develop relations between Japan and Europe by exchanging opinions on a wide range of issues such as the situation in East Asia and the European economy. I expect that this visit will, as a result, help foster favorable international opinions towards Japan. In addition, as the EU side is pursuing a negotiation mandate by the end of this year, I am planning to redouble my efforts toward achieving the economic partnership agreement (EPA) between Japan and the EU.

(2) Relationship between Japan and the transitional government of the Republic of Madagascar

Minister Gemba: Madagascar has been politically unstable since the coup d’état which occurred in March 2009. However, progress has been made in the democratization process, such as the announcement in August this year to hold a presidential election in 2013. Taking such progress into consideration, the Government of Japan has decided to inform the Madagascan transitional government of the continuation of our friendly relations. I have mentioned this at the Cabinet Meeting today.

2. Japan-China relations

Hanamura, TV Asahi: It is our understanding that the Japan-China Director-General-level meeting was held yesterday and an agreement was reached to hold a vice-ministerial-level meeting at the earliest possible date. Firstly, what is your response to this outcome? On the other hand, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, during yesterday’s press conference, made a reference to your remarks the other day on the map published in 1960. He mentioned that your remarks made no sense whatsoever and were absurd. It seems the two countries’ claims remain far apart. I would like to once again ask how you intend to improve Japan-China relations.

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: The Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held during the UN General Assembly. At this meeting, we reached an agreement that the two countries would continue mutual communication. Naturally, what is important is that what cannot be compromised will not be compromised. However, it is essential for both Japan and China to calmly consider what would be best for the goal of avoiding any contingencies, peacefully calming down the situation, and helping ensure that economic, cultural and personnel exchanges between the two countries are held in a stable manner even if a certain amount of time is required. I believe indeed that it is part of that effort.

Hanamura, TV Asahi: Do you mean that efforts toward improving relations with China are already in progress? Also, do you have any specific timeline for the next Japan-China vice-ministerial-level meeting?

Minister Gemba: This is not an easy path. Having said that, based on the perspective which I explained earlier, we are indeed conducting close communications with China. As for the schedule of the vice-ministerial-level meeting, it is still under coordination but it will certainly be held.

3. Takeshima issue

Hanamura, TV Asahi: My question is on the Takeshima issue. Regarding the institution of proceedings regarding Takeshima before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Shuji Kira commented yesterday that he would begin considering whether it is appropriate for the Government of Japan to independently institute proceedings before the ICJ. We understand that the Japanese government is moving for an independent institution of proceedings but are there any possibilities of further consideration on not independently instituting proceedings or on taking some more time?

Minister Gemba: As the Government of Japan, preparations for the independent institution of proceedings before the ICJ are under way in a steady manner. On the other hand, if I may add, I am paying close attention to the response by the Republic of Korea. Preparations in a steady manner; it is no more or  no less.

4. Domestic political issues

Matsuura, Yomiuri Shimbun: Diet sessions have been adjourned for some time. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has many important matters to be discussed, including the Hague Convention. How do you hope to improve the current situation?

Minister Gemba: The Hague Convention is obviously an important item and I believe it is under deliberation in the Diet. I am hoping to ratify the Convention as early as possible. However, although Diet deliberation is of great importance, I wonder it has now been deliberated for the longest ever period. Moreover, the Bungeishunju magazine pointed out an issue the other day, saying that Japanese Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers spend as much as five-to-ten times more time attending Diet sessions in comparison to other developed countries. I personally believe that we should reach across party lines and work with candor on what is the best way for deliberations in the Diet. However, I must note that what I just stated is only a general idea, and as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, I will refrain from making any specific suggestions on how Diet deliberation should be conducted..

5. Negotiations with the DPRK

Nikaido, Asahi Shimbun: On the Director-General-level meeting with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), you mentioned the other day that coordination would be made based on the outcome perspective of the meeting. It is said that the DPRK is hoping to hold the meeting in mid-October. Is this schedule still feasible?

Minister Gemba: My answer will be the same as the answer I gave recently. It remains unchanged, or rather, it continues to be under coordination. In my view, the utmost importance is the outcome.

Nikaido, Asahi Shimbun: Is that view based on the necessity to further hammer out details on the abduction issue?

Minister Gemba: Naturally, Japan places great emphasis on the abduction issue. I believe the conclusion reached at the director-level meeting with the DPRK was that the two countries would discuss a broad range of issues including topics of interest for both sides, and the abduction issue is of course the most essential for Japan. There are obviously various issues including missile, nuclear, and others which are respectively significant, but what I’ve just mentioned is consistent with what I have mentioned thus far.

6. Visit to Europe

Ikeda, Kyodo News: With regard to your visit to Europe, you mentioned that the countries you will visit all have influence in forming international opinions. As Japan continues to be in friction with the ROK and China on territorial issues, i.e., on Takeshima and the Senkaku Islands, do you plan to explain Japan’s position on these?

Minister Gemba: I will naturally discuss with those countries topics which were delivered at the UN General Assembly. On top of that, since China and Japan are ranked second and third in the world in terms of GDP, and since it hold great impact not only on peace and stability in East Asia but also on the overall global economy, Japan-China relations and the East Asia situation will also be on the agenda. This is a Strategic Dialogue, so it is a matter of course for me to discuss those topics and also explain our position. I believe I will also explain the necessity for both Japan and China to calmly address the situation with a broad perspective and the fact that Japan has consistently responded in a calm way.

7. Japan-Russia relations

Ando, Hokkaido Shimbun: Will you update us on the status of coordination of the vice-ministerial-level meeting between Japan and Russia which was planned for mid-October? Do you have any topics you hope to discuss at the first meeting?

Minister Gemba: It will be held in mid-October, but I cannot give you any specific schedules. We will discuss a broad range of topics and will probably require a certain amount of time for discussions.

8. Japan-China relations

Kurashige, Asahi Shimbun: I would like to confirm your statements on the Senkaku Islands. You have mentioned that there are no sovereignty issues regarding the islands but a diplomatic issue exists. I think that this may be apt to be misleading. Will you once again clarify your position?

Minister Gemba: In what sense do you believe it to be “misleading”?

Kurashige Asahi Shimbun: When you use the term “diplomatic issue,” there will be a necessity for Japan and China to officially discuss the issue for a solution.

Minister Gemba: Are you suggesting that we should not use the term?

Kurashige, Asahi Shimbun: Rather, I am hoping to know the exact intention of your remarks.

Minister Gemba: I believe diplomatic issues are diplomatic issues—nothing more, nothing less.

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