(* 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: Tuesday, October 30, 2012, 10:38 a.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Senkaku Islands
Impending diplomatic challenges
Sexual assault by U.S. servicemen
The Senkaku Islands
Discussion with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda
Japan-North Korea relations
Japan-ROK Relations
Japan-China Relations
Domestic political issues

1. Senkaku Islands

Kikuchi, Nippon Television: Chinese vessels have been continuously invading the contiguous zone around the Senkaku Islands. Please once again give us your view and explain how you will address China.

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: Whenever there are invasions of the territorial water of Japan, obviously we lodge a protest and demand self-restraint. Along with these measures, since it is important to peacefully calm the situation and prevent any contingencies, as you well know, we are currently conducting communications in various formats.

2. Impending diplomatic challenges

Kikuchi, Nippon Television: A new session of the Diet started yesterday. The Noda Administration is forced to manage the Diet and the Government under difficult conditions. In terms of diplomatic affairs, North Korea issues, Japan-Russia negotiations, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's visit to Russia in December are all ongoing, but as the centripetal force of the administration is extremely weakening, please give us your view on how you will achieve diplomatic results under the current condition.

Minister Gemba: There are various diplomatic challenges. Regarding the Japan-China relations you asked about earlier, as I mentioned, although it may require some time, I believe we must work persistently and patiently to calm down the situation. It is also necessary to stabilize the economy as well as cultural and human exchanges.

In addition, the relationship with our neighboring countries such as the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Russia is equally important, as described in Prime Minister Noda’s policy speech. Especially, considering that there will be a presidential election in the Republic of Korea, I hope to make sure not to mishandle the situations.

As for Japan-Russia relations, I think they are generally developing in a positive atmosphere. I have an actual feeling that this is a shared notion with the Russian side. As you well know, recently a channel for dialogue with the Security Council of the Russian Federation was established. In November, First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Igor Shuvalov, namely the responsible official for economic policies, will be visiting Japan. I expect further progress on the development of cooperative relations between Japan and Russia in all fields will be achieved. Based on such a background, I hope to make some progress as well on the issue of greatest concern, the Northern Territories issue.

In addition, as I mentioned in my recent speech, I believe the present circumstances are an extremely important moment to form rules for peace, stability and prosperity, and establishing order in the Asia-Pacific region as well as the entire international community. I am proud of Japan’s initiatives in and our contribution to forming such rules during the last year and two months including our relationship with the Asia-Pacific region, especially ASEAN members. We hope to continue our contribution to these rulemaking efforts.

Further, I would like to highlight the issue of the Japan-U.S. Alliance. Because of the Joint Statement of the Security Consultative Committee (2+2) announced in April 2012, I believe in a sense Japan-U.S. relations came back onto the right track, and so I believe it is necessary to promote more efforts toward the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps from Okinawa to Guam or other places and the return of the land south of Kadena Air Base.

The current urgent tasks include the handling of the heinous and impermissible assault incident by U.S. servicemen, and other issues which must be addressed. So these issues must be solved on a one by one basis including the issues with North Korea, which I am hoping to achieve concrete results.

3. Sexual assault by U.S. servicemen

Nikaido, Asahi Shimbun: Regarding the handling of the incident caused by U.S. servicemen you just referred to, you mentioned the other day that you hoped to convey concrete ideas, but are there any certain timeline to make such a request to the U.S. side? And also, will this idea be addressed at Japan-U.S. Joint Committee meetings, and if not, what other occasions do you have in mind?

Minister Gemba: We have already expressed our requirements to the U.S. side. This is not exactly dealt within the framework of the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee, but rather we expressed our specific ideas after the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee meeting. We will continue expressing our opinions.

As you are well aware, the liberty card program is currently under review. As I mentioned during my visit to Europe, instead of repeating words such as "enforcement of official discipline" or "recurrence prevention," we must go further and implement improvement measures. On the other hand, there is a question of how to ensure effectiveness. The people of Okinawa are facing these issues on a daily basis, and as I talk with them and am directly briefed by them on the telephone, I find that they are very knowledgeable and there are many people who have specific knowledge on the liberty card program itself. I am told that in the end the program is not observed. Taking account of this point, I will express what needs to be said from Japan's point of view, including how to ensure the effectiveness of the measures. I hope to make the utmost efforts to achieve a satisfying result for the Japanese side.

4. The Senkaku Islands

Kamide, Freelance: Regarding the issue of the Senkaku Islands, as you mentioned that it is a repeated incident, and although you are promoting discussions with China in various formats, as long as Japan keeps its stance that there is basically no issue of territorial sovereignty, wouldn’t there be various limitations as many former senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and experts on diplomacy have been pointing out? Taking account of this point, how much progress do you think the current negotiation can make? I think it would be difficult with the Japanese side setting certain issues aside, and although there are many who criticize that the Government of Japan is creating a bottleneck, what is your view on the current situation?

Minister Gemba: We are considering ways to maintain our basic position as the Government of Japan while calming the situation peacefully. We believe both Japan and China should both promote further efforts on this point in a calm manner.

Kamide, Freelance: There have been various criticisms that Prime Minister Noda missed the sign sent from President of China Hu Jintao. What is your view on this point?

Minister Gemba: We have been thoroughly explaining our stance to the Government of China for a very long period of time.

Kamide, Freelance: Am I right in understanding that the stance, or the view of the Government of Japan has not changed at all on this issue?

Minister Gemba: No, it hasn't changed at all.

5. Discussion with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda

Matsuura, Yomiuri Shimbun: You visited the Prime Minister's Office earlier today. Will you tell us what you discussed with Prime Minister Noda?

Minister Gemba: I'm afraid I am not able to comment on this matter.

6. Japan-North Korea relations

Hanamura, TV Asahi: As October comes to an end, there has not been any progress in Japan-North Korea Consultations. Inviting the North Korean side to Japan or what other measures are you considering in order to earn a positive attitude from the North Korean side? I am sure there are constant efforts made through the Beijing route but how do you plan to overcome the current stagnant situation?

Minister Gemba: In any case, I believe the most important point is to achieve some results by holding consultations. Although we will make voluntary efforts until we have some prospects in this regard, we may need to wait a certain period of time and I hope to be sure not to miscalculate the timing.

7. Japan-ROK Relations

Nogami, Asahi Shimbun: Regarding Japan-ROK relations, you mentioned earlier that you hope to not mishandle the situation considering that the presidential election will take place in the Republic of Korea. Will you tell us your view on what kind of handling is required in relation to instituting proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?

Minister Gemba: Regarding the issue of independently instituting proceedings before the ICJ, as I previously described, the preparation has been making steady progress. That is all I can say. We are continuously carefully monitoring the response from the Government of the ROK regarding this difficult issue lying between our two countries.

8. Japan-China Relations

Yoshinaga, Mainichi Shimbun: The 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) will be held next week on November 5 and 6. Two years ago, when there was tension between Japan and China, the then Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Premier of the State Council of China Wen Jiabao had a face-to-face meeting, which led to the easing of tensions. I understand that Premier Wen Jiabao will be attending this upcoming ASEM again. How do you plan, or are you seeking a way, to take the opportunity of ASEM to help ease the tensions between Japan and China?

Minister Gemba: Nothing has been decided yet, including whether a meeting will be coordinated or not. As I have been explaining, we are making various efforts to promote communications, but in determining whether or not to hold a summit meeting, the effect and the timing should be carefully examined. Whether ASEM is the right timing or not for the meeting, I believe that is yet to be determined.

9. Domestic political issues

Hasegawa, Fuji Television: Yesterday, on the very day Prime Minister Noda delivered his policy speech, two members of the Democratic Party of Japan submitted their withdrawal letters to the party. What is your response to this matter? In addition, it is said that more members may be leaving the party in the time to come. How much sense of crisis do you have on this matter?

Minister Gemba: It is regrettable to see some members leaving the party. As the election approaches, I do not believe it is the right behavior for politicians in the true sense of the word to take actions solely to win their election. I hope no more members will take such actions based only on their own election results.

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