(* 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: Friday, December 28, 2012, 10:02 a.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Opening Remarks-Japan-China relations
Japan-Republic of Korea relations
“Comfort women” issues
Japan-Russia relations
Other

1. Opening Remarks-Japan-China relations

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: This is my first regular press conference after the Cabinet meeting. Thank you for your attendance.

Nikaido, Asahi Shimbun: As one of the immediate challenges, there seems to be the challenge of how to ease the tensions between China which is continuing advances to Japanese territorial waters and airspace. Coordination within the administration, say, meetings among relevant ministers, seems essential. What system will be adopted for future approaches to the issue?

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: Regarding those issues, we must closely collaborate within the government and at the same time take steady measures. This goes without saying. As we carefully confirm our existing system, if there is room for creativity, I hope to elaborate. We must continually deliberate for the better but the paramount is to firstly address the issue on the basic recognition that these collaborations are of great importance.

Nikaido, Asahi Shimbun: When you speak of “collaboration,” the establishment of a new committee by the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a ministerial council may be a possibility. Is newly establishing committees and taking measures your intent?

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: At this point, we have not reached any specific bodies to establish but firstly it is important to always share the existing understanding on fundamental common awareness. How to specifically address the issue on top of that will be further deliberated if necessary.

2. Japan-Republic of Korea relations

Matsumoto, Kyodo News: Yesterday, you had a Foreign Ministerial conference with the Republic of Korea (ROK) via telephone. In this teleconference, it is known that both sides referred to future-oriented Japan-ROK relations. Will you comment if there were any remarks by either side on the issue of Takeshima or historical issues?
Further, the inauguration ceremony in ROK is scheduled to take place on February 25 next year. What response is currently considered by the Japanese Government and please also explain the present state of preparations to dispatch Mr. Fukushiro Nukaga, Member of the House of Representatives, as special envoy, which Prime Minister Shinzo Abe mentioned the other day.

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: Firstly with regard to yesterday’s teleconference, if there were parts where the points you just mentioned were referred to, it is naturally conceivable that various discussions may arise within the context of respective challenges of neighboring relations. I recall touching upon it by expressing our will to overcome those challenges and establishing a stable relationship.
Regarding the presidential inaugural ceremony, invitations and others from ROK must be confirmed. Any response will be decided upon that. On the dispatch of Representative Fukushiro Nukaga, I am told that the schedule is currently being arranged. The relations with ROK, I regard it as the most important neighboring relationship. I believe it is extremely beneficial to conduct close communication and therefore we must continue our arrangement with this thought in mind.

3. “Comfort women” issues

Fujita, Asahi Shimbun: I would like to ask about the Kono Statement and Murayama Statement. This is a comment by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, saying that he will follow the position of succeeding cabinets on Murayama Statement. However, since he does not comment likewise on the Kono Statement, there have been reactions overseas that the Abe administration will assume the Murayama Statement but not the Kono Statement. As the Minister responsible for diplomacy, will you explain if that actually is the case?

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: On the Murayama Statement, the administration’s policy is in accordance with what the Chief Cabinet Secretary mentioned. I share the notion that this issue shall not be politicized or made a diplomatic issue. I think that is the extent of it.

Fujita, Asahi Shimbun: So remarks on the Murayama Statement will not be in line with the Kono Statement. Is this due to the difference of recognition in succeeding past government positions?

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: On the position of the Government, since it is the Government’s point of view on the Chief Cabinet Secretary’s Statements, I believe it comes down to the Chief Cabinet Secretary’s wordings and explanations. In addition, not to politicize it and not to make it a diplomatic issue are of the most importance. As the person responsible for diplomacy, that is my strong feeling.

4. Japan-Russia relations
Ando, Hokkaido Shimbun: There have been some media reports that a teleconference between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Vladimir Putin will be held today. Please let us confirm the facts. If it is to be held, what is the status of deliberations on topics to be discussed?

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: I am not aware of the facts at this point. I will confirm.

4. Japan-Russia relations

Ando, Hokkaido Shimbun: There have been some media reports that a teleconference between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Vladimir Putin will be held today. Please let us confirm the facts. If it is to be held, what is the status of deliberations on topics to be discussed?

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: I am not aware of the facts at this point. I will confirm.

5. Other

Kikuchi, Nippon TV: Former New York Yankees player Hideki Matsui announced his retirement today. To the Japanese citizen who has greatly succeeded overseas, please offer us your view including your personal thoughts on him if you have any.

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: On that report, I had a chance to see it on television this morning. Hearing the news of the retirement of Hideki Matsui who has earned huge success both in Japan and the U.S., as one professional baseball fan, I feel I will miss him very much. On the other hand, the fact that he was a big-name player both in Japan and the U.S. has given courage to and has excited baseball fans of both countries which I think is an exceptionally great accomplishment. There must have been great efforts put in to achieve his record and results. I pay my sincere respect to his career, and as a Japanese citizen and also as a professional baseball fan, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation. Based on his great achievements and experiences, I wholeheartedly wish for his further success.

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