Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > December 18, 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: Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 10:52 a.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

  1. General election
  2. Realignment of the U.S. Forces Japan and the issue of Takeshima
  3. DPJ presidential election

1. General election

Kikuchi, Nippon Television: The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) lost a substantial number of seats in the general election. I would like to ask what you think should be reflected upon when it comes to managing the administration, and I’d also like to ask your views on the approach the DPJ should take to rejuvenate itself.

Minister Gemba: After the election, I gave deep consideration to identifying what voters questioned the most about the DPJ. I think the biggest issue was the governance of the party. The main reason that soured voters may be the chaotic state of the party. This is my current analysis. In any case, I think the DPJ needs to rebuild its base while making a fresh start in order to revive.

2. Realignment of the U.S. Forces Japan and the issue of Takeshima

Nikaido, Asahi Shimbun: One of the remaining tasks for the current DPJ government is to draw up plans for the return of the U.S. Forces facilities south of Kadena. I understand that this is scheduled to be done by the end of this year. Is the DPJ government going to do this while in power? If not, what is the reason for not doing so? In addition, similarly, there is the issue of independently instituting proceedings before the International Court of Justice regarding the Takeshima Island. Although it seems no decision has been made on this matter yet, could you tell us whether or not the DPJ government intends to start the proceedings?

Minister Gemba: Regarding the former issue, we are making preparations so that it can be done by the end of this year. However, since this issue is closely related to how the realignment of the U.S. Forces Japan will be proceeded, we need to consult parties concerned. On the latter issue, we are also making steady preparations. Nothing to add or deduct at the moment.

Nikaido, Asahi Shimbun: Does that mean that the decisions on both issues will be made while the DPJ is still in power?

Minister Gemba: As a matter of course, a certain level of continuity is expected of foreign affairs. For this reason, as far as the latter issue is concerned, it is not necessarily a question of what should be done by when.

3. DPJ presidential election

Hanamura, TV Asahi: Regarding the DPJ presidential election, are you running for it? In addition, what do you think is expected from the new President given the current circumstances?

Minister Gemba: I have been working as a member of the Cabinet for two and a half years, and thankfully, I think a lot of the people, if not all, of Fukushima Prefecture recognize my efforts as the last line of their defense. I strongly sense their feelings. However, I think now they are calling me to work in the front line in Fukushima. When I had a few visits to my constituency during the campaign, a lot of people told me that they would like someone who fully understands the situation in the area. I have strong feeling about this and that I would like to work on the ground for a certain period of time in order to make the utmost efforts for Fukushima’s reconstruction.

I heard that the leadership of the DPJ had decided to hold the presidential election on December 22. Since there is only a short time remaining, I think it will be difficult to facilitate debate on policies in front of the public. I think that what has been achieved by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and his Cabinet was not wrong. I also think we need to consider what the ideal form of the DPJ should be and face the reality in order to make a fresh start.

Yoshida, Nishinippon Shimbun: During the election campaign, the DPJ argued that the question to be answered was whether Japan should continue to move forward or turn backward. When the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) comes into power in the offing, do you think Japan will move backward? What do you expect or hope the LDP government will achieve?

Minister Gemba: We need to cooperate on every issue that serves the national interest of Japan. The DPJ should act in a fair and just manner. We should cooperate on matters that are in the national interest of Japan. When we disagree with the government, we should monitor the government fully and responsibly. At the same time, I also think the DPJ needs to rebuild its base as a political party from the start. I think we can certainly achieve this.

Kikuchi, Nippon Television: Are you considering running for the DPJ presidential election? Is there any possibility?

Minister Gemba: As I mentioned earlier, I would like to work in the front line in Fukushima.

Back to Index