Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > February 14, 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, February 14, 2012, 10:35 a.m.
Place: In front of Minister’s Reception Room

Main topics:

  1. Opening Remarks
    • (1) Attack targets Israeli diplomats
    • (2) Ambassador in charge of International Cooperation for Countering Terrorism and International Organized Crime
  2. U.S.-North Korea Talks
  3. Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan
  4. Negotiations for Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
  5. Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Attack targets Israeli diplomats

Minister Gemba: Let me begin by talking about two issues. One is the attack targeting Israeli diplomats. We were strongly shocked and outraged by the attack on Israeli diplomats which took place on February 13 in New Delhi, India and Tbilisi, Georgia. Such an act cannot be justified under any circumstances. We strongly condemn this act of brutality which was committed indiscriminately against innocent people, and would like to express our sympathy for the wounded and their families.
The background of this attack has yet to be investigated, and we will remain alert and keep watching the development. According to our embassies which contacted the local police, there has been no report that Japanese citizen was among the wounded.

(2) Ambassador in charge of International Cooperation for Countering Terrorism and International Organized Crime

Minister Gemba: With regard to the cyber security issue, we have officially announced today that Ambassador Tamotsu Shinotsuka, in charge of International Cooperation for Countering Terrorism and International Organized Crime, shall additionally take charge of the cyber policies.
International cooperation is becoming increasingly important in the area of cyber security. At Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have set up a taskforce dedicated to the cyber problem and have been working on the relevant policy making and coordination. By having the ambassador as the head of the taskforce, we are determined to address the cyber problem more actively than ever.

2. U.S.-North Korea Talks

Akiyama, TV TOKYO: The U.S. State Department has announced that U.S.-North Korea talks will be held in Beijing on February 23. What is your view on this announcement? In addition,could you comment on the prospect of the Six-Party Talks?

Minister Gemba: I am well aware of the talks and dialog to be held between the United States and North Korea. Since we have been communicating closely with the United States and South Korea on this issue, I was anticipating that the talks would be held at this timing.
I don’t think it is appropriate that I comment on the content of the meeting here, but I expect that the talks between the United States and North Korea will be a fruitful one. In the meantime, we will continue to maintain close communication with the United States and South Korea.

Akiyama, TV TOKYO: Could you tell us specifically what kind of development you are expecting?

Minister Gemba: As I have been reiterating, our aim is to comprehensively resolve the abduction, nuclear and missile issues. Our basic policy is to settle our unfortunate past with North Korea and normalize the relations with North Korea. I expect that various issues will be taken up at the United States-North Korea talks, and needless to say, the uranium enrichment issue would be discussed as a matter of great concern. However, as I have just mentioned, finding a comprehensive solution to the abduction, nuclear and missile issues remains the basic policy of the Japanese government.
This issue presents both risk and opportunity. All this time, we have been contemplating on how we can prepare for the risk and create the opportunity at the same time, and we have taken various measures to this end. I think that the fact that they are starting the United States-North Korea talks per se is a good thing.

3. Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan

Shimada, NHK: Regarding the impact of U.S. bases in Okinawa, you mentioned the other day that, in general terms, you think it important that the impact should be shared nationwide. Will it still be your stance when you hold talks with the U.S. on this matter?

Minister Gemba: It has always been in my mind even before I became Foreign Minister, I mean, as a general arguement. I have always thought and still think that Japanese people should give more thought to the fact that as much as 74% of the U.S. bases in Japan is concentrated in Okinawa that Okinawa is actually shouldering our national security and that Okinawa is having its impact. As I said earlier, I think it was at the press conference held here on February 3, the number of U.S. Marines who will stay in Okinawa will not deviate from the realignment road map we have been following, that is from the viewpoint of the deterrence factor. As for actual arrangements, we will work them out through consultation with the U.S.

Shimada, NHK: When you say that you need to work out actual arrangements from now, does it include the possibility that the U.S. Marines leaving Okinawa may be transferred to other parts of Japan?

Minister Gemba: The substantial discussion on this matter has yet to begin. What is important for us is to maintain close consultations with the U.S. from the viewpoint of how we can reduce the impact on Okinawa without compromising our deterrence.
What I have just mentioned is what I believe in general terms. I have always been saying it and I will keep saying it until the impact on Okinawa is reduced to a level which people in Okinawa finds it acceptable.

Shimada, NHK: Have you conveyed this thought to the U.S. as a general arguement?

Minister Gemba: I have already told you everything I can.

Yoshioka, NHK: You keep saying that it is a general arguement, but don’t you think that saying it at this timing may stir confusion among concerned parties including the local governments as seen in the Iwakuni case?

Minister Gemba: If so, then I will stop saying it. I have been saying it as a general arguement and basically I intend to keep saying it. But if it causes misunderstanding as you say, then I will refrain from saying it. But I still think that the entire nation should seriously think about our national security. What I want to say here is that all of us should give thoughts to the fact that our national security is impacting one particular area. If my intention is likely to be misinterpreted and reported, then I think I should stop saying it, but nonetheless I think it is a very important matter.

Shodo, Ryukyu Shimpo: Based on this general arguement, have you ever instructed the ministry officials to discuss the idea of relocating the U.S. bases to several different places across Japan?

Minister Gemba: No, I have not.

Shodo, Ryukyu Shimpo: Do you intend to do that?

Minister Gemba: I have already made my comments on this matter.

4. Negotiations for Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)

Ikegawa, NHK: The negotiations for Japan-Australia EPA have begun today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Although 5 years have already passed since the negotiations started in 2007, there seem to be no indications that they will be completed in the near future. With the negotiations for TPP participation also under way, how do you intend to proceed with the EPA negotiations?

Minister Gemba: Before that, let me get back to the previous question just to make sure that my statement will not cause any misunderstanding. What I said earlier is a general argument, and it is not my intention that it should be interpreted in connection with the present case. Having said that, there are short-term, mid-term and long-term and various possibilities, and I would like you to understand my comment that way.
Now, about the Japan-Australia EPA issue, we would like to put our efforts in the negotiations. Even if we participate in the TPP negotiations, we will not be certain about the timing at which the agreement will be reached. So, with the schedule of TPP agreement remaining uncertain, it is important that we steadily work toward completing the Japan-Australia EPA. In a sense, further delay in completing the bilateral EPA will only leave Japan behind other countries in terms of business environment. As such, we will make our best efforts to complete the Japan-Australia EPA, and I think that this is the understanding shared by the entire government. For instance, let’s assume that we participate in the TPP negotiations and come to an agreement. Then, I think there will be adjusting provisions and regulations to be set forth in between.

Ikegawa, NHK: About the agricultural goods which is classified as the sensitive items in question, what is the Japanese government’s plan to find a solution to this issue?

Minister Gemba: The basic policy of the Japanese government on this matter is already determined by the Basic Policy on Comprehensive Economic Partnerships. The bottom line is that we put our efforts in the negotiations while giving due consideration to the sensitive items. As for the handling of such sensitive items, it is already being taken up on the negotiation table.

5. Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan

Sakai, Sankei Shimbun: About the relocation to the Iwakuni base, you mentioned at the meeting with the governor of Yamaguchi Prefecture yesterday that the Japanese government will not request additional burden to the prefecture. Have you already conveyed this decision to the U.S.? You kept saying that this issue is not being discussed, and it appears that you suddenly changed your statement.

Minister Gemba: As I have been saying, this issue is not being discussed.

Sakai, Sankei Shimbun: So you are saying that since this issue is not being discussed, there is no need to request additional burden in the first place?

Minister Gemba: This issue has never been discussed at all.

Sakai, Sankei Shimbun: Is that why you told the governor yesterday that there will be no request for additional?

Minister Gemba: That is correct.

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