Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > December 27, 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 Fumio Kishida

Date: Thursday, December 27, 2012, 0:55 a.m.
Place: Prime Minister’s Office

Main topics:

  1. The Senkaku Islands
  2. Japan-China relations

1. The Senkaku Islands

Nanao, NicoNicoDouga: Will you share your views on the nationalization of the Senkaku Islands by the previous administration and also the impact of this issue on future diplomacy?

Minister Kishida: With regard to nationalization, I believe we must proceed with sufficient preparations, environmental arrangements, and procedures. I hope to once again confirm the proceedings taken by the previous administration, and based on our assessment, I will practically and steadily deliberate the ways to proceed further. That is my intention at this point.

2. Japan-China relations

Nikaido, Asahi Shimbun: I would like to ask about Japan-China relations. What approach will you take to restore Japan-China relations, which have suffered due to the issues surrounding the Senkaku Islands? Also, as you mentioned that you hope to hold a foreign ministerial conference with each country as soon as possible, will you give us the outlook for a Japan-China Foreign-Ministerial conference?

Minister Kishida: Firstly, needless to say, Japan-China relations are crucial bilateral relations for Japan. With regard to the Senkaku Islands issue and issues related to territory and sovereignty, I am certain that there is no doubt that the Senkaku Islands are an inherent part of the territory of Japan in light of historical facts and based on international law. We must address the issue of territory and sovereignty in an uncompromising manner. However, on the other hand, Japan-China relations include numerous mutually beneficial relations. Therefore, with respect to this important bilateral relationship, I believe we must also steadily communicate on the Foreign Ministerial level and address the issues in a careful manner.

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