Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > February 15, 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: Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 3:55 p.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

  1. Realignment of the U.S. Forces in Japan
  2. Visit to Japan by Mr. Ehud Barak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the State of Israel
  3. U.S.-China Relations
  4. Sanctions on Iran

1. Realignment of the U.S. Forces in Japan

Shimada, NHK: The Defense Secretary Panetta said that they are negotiating with the Philippines to relocate U.S. Marine Corps there. Do you believe that the Philippines is a major candidate as a new site?

Minister Gemba: Well, the United States will continue to realign its forces in the Asia Pacific region with strategic rationality, and, of course, we will actively participate in the discussion on the realignment of the U.S. Forces, because it relates not only to the security of Japan and East Asia, but to the deterrence and security for the Asia Pacific as a whole. But I do not think that now is not the right moment to tell you which forces in what numbers will be relocated, or transferred where. Therefore, I would just like to say that we will actively participate in this discussion.

Shimada, NHK: You said that you will be actively participating in the discussions, but you said that this is not the time for you to disclose the details. Is it correct to assume that you have information to some extent though Japanese Government cannot disclose it?

Minister Gemba: In informal talks, we have exchanged various views, and, we will begin official talks. If it is a matter related to the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, there is no doubt that we will have discussions.

Hanamura, TV Asahi: On Friday, I believe Governor Nakaima of Okinawa will be coming to Tokyo for the urgent request by Council for Promotion of Dezoning and Reutilization of Military Land in Okinawa, and the new mayor of Ginowan, who was newly elected, will be coming. Mr. Gemba, in the process of the two governments’ agreement on the realignment, I believe you talked with the Governor on the phone, but you have not met him directly. Do you intend to have a meeting with Mr. Nakaima this time?

Minister Gemba: As we have to consider the position of the Governor, I do not think I should mention where and how much communication I have had. But we have had a certain level of communication. Earlier on, I met the governor when Cabinet decision on Okinawa promotion law and the law concerning the use of the land was made. Since he is coming over again, although the time is rather limited, I am hopeful that we will have some sort of communication.

Shimada, NHK: In relation to Hanamura San’s question, Governor Nakaima, in a regular prefectural assembly, said that he will strongly request that the revision of the US-Japan agreement be steadily implemented one by one. On the other hand, he said that it will be realistically impossible to relocate Futenma to Henoko in Nago city and that based on the review of the bilateral agreement Futenma should be returned to Japan as early as possible. How did you receive these words? Also, I believe that you announced that you will be revising the Japan-U.S. agreement, so given this situation, how do you intend to go about seeking the understanding of the Governor and the local communities regarding the Futenma issue?

Minister Gemba: The current situation, in a nutshell, is a complete stalemate. For 15 years there has not been any change to the situation; what is important is to move it along. We have to reduce the impact on Okinawa first, and we work on the relocation of Futenma air station as well. But we should not force it. If that is the case then all efforts must be made to have a good understanding of the people in Okinawa and that is the only way to go forward. Of course with the decision made by Prime Minister Noda we would like to prioritize the reduction of the impact on Okinawa. With respect to relocation of Futenma, to have an understanding, we have to be careful and persistent in making explanations. On the fact that the security environment is getting more difficult, I believe the Governor and other people have a better understanding than before. However, I know that the statement that was just mentioned by you has been aired by the governor in many places.

2. Visit to Japan by Mr. Ehud Barak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the State of Israel

Sakamaki, Bloomberg: My question is about the Middle East. The Deputy Prime Minister Barak of Israel is visiting Japan from today. With rising tensions between Iran and Iraq (sic), what would be the significance of his visit? You are going to have dinner with him. Defense Minister Tanaka and the Prime Minister will also meet with him this evening. What sort of expectations do you have?

Minister Gemba: Within the Ministry, on this point, we are yet to discuss at my level what will be discussed in this meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister. But we will, of course, be covering not only the issue of Peace in the Middle East, but also, we hope to have an exchange of views and discussions overall on the Iranian situation as well. Israel, needless to say, has officially stated that it will not rule out any measure. As I mentioned earlier, I believe that it is extremely important to impose effective sanctions so that in the end, we can achieve a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the situation. So from that perspective, I believe that we will be engaging in discussions.

3. U.S.-China Relations

Matsumura, Asahi Shinbun: Mr. Xi Jinping, Vice-President of China has arrived at the United States; he has made an official visit as a leader-in-waiting. He has been welcomed by the United States as a state guest. He has not visited Japan yet since his position in the coming leadership highly likely. Looking at the next ten years, what will the Japanese government do in order to enhance the relations with the top executives of China? Also, the 40th anniversary to commemorate the normalization of diplomatic relations with China will open officially tomorrow. What do you　 intend to do in extending economic relations with China?

Minister Gemba:　Mr. Xi Jinping is considered to be the next leader and he is visiting the United States. The United States and China are deepening their mutual understanding and that, in itself, I think is a very good thing. As I said before, the strategic stability among Japan, the U.S. and China has become more important now than any time in the past. We have an alliance with the United States. With China, we have a Mutually Beneficial Relationship based on Common Strategic Interests, so we would like to establish a win-win relationship and we regard China’s development as an opportunity. So we would like to engage in strategic dialogues among the three states and that is what I have been saying all along. With respect to our economic relationship with China, first and foremost, the Japan-China-Korea trilateral investment agreement, I believe, is important. If the investment agreement is concluded, then there would be a considerably high standard of environment for investments. So, such move will help turning the development of China into an opportunity for Japan indeed.

4. Sanctions on Iran

Koyama, Freelancer: Over the last week, in three countries, there were terrorist attacks against Israeli diplomats. As a result, probably when Israel attacked　Iran, there might be an all-out war rather than targeting only nuclear facilities. It is highly likely that there will be a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. 80% to 85% of the crude oil exported to Japan goes through the Strait of Hormuz. If it is blocked, then that will bring about major damage to the Japanese economy. I assume you are considering using different routes, but the entire 80% would be impossible to be brought to Japan. So, of the 80%, what proportion do you think can be diverted to other routes to be brought to Japan? Is that possible?

Minister Gemba: I have already issued a statement yesterday on the terrorist attacks against Israelis. I believe that your question was about the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. I believe that the other day, you also posed a question on this same issue. It is true that 84% of oil imported into Japan passes through the Strait of Hormuz. A little less than 20% of LNG imported into Japan passes through that strait. When you look over the world, I believe that about 20% of the total oil that the world consumes passes through the Strait of Hormuz. I guess your question is whether we have contemplated various scenarios for the particular situation. It’s true that we have made various scenarios for all sorts of situations, including the place and number of oil pipelines to which we can divert the oil imports and also the stockpiles of oil. As the Prime Minister has answered at a Diet session, we are taking into consideration a variety of different circumstances, and we are considering what we can do in response to all of these circumstances. But what is most important at this juncture is, while building such scenarios, to make efforts to prevent such situations from occuring. As I always say, international coordination is necessary for implementing effective sanctions. The U.S. Defense Authorization Act has been enacted, and we are at the final stage of coordination, leaning toward reducing oil imports from Iran, including the application of exemption measures. For those sanctions to be effective, if I may say further, we need to work on India and China. Whether things will be resolved only by imposing effective sanctions is another question. I believe at some juncture, we have to have dialogue. We have a certain level of historic friendly relations with Iran. Up to now, we have been working on Iran at all levels, and we will continue to do that at appropriate timings.

Yokota, Mainichi Shimbun: With respect to the sanctions on Iran and the Defense Authorization Act, the U.S. Government has announced their guidelines. There are no specific numbers or objectives that are included in it. By the end of the month there has to be a conclusion. Once in Japan and once in the US there were working level talks. What would be the schedule, including the possible need for additional working level talks?

Minister Gemba: We have not discussed among us on this matter but as I said earlier, in a nutshell, we are discussing issues including the application of exemptions and we are approaching a final conclusion on the issue. However we have not reached a conclusion yet.


Koyama, Freelancer: Earlier on, Minister, you explained the best case scenario but I would like to ask you about the worst case scenario. In this case you said that you are ready but you said you would not be able to explain more in detail?

Minister Gemba: Frankly speaking, for me to disclose the worst case scenario in a place like this, is that really appropriate? I believe that there are many possible scenarios other than the one that was pointed out earlier. So for these scenarios, to say specifically in that case, I do not think it is appropriate that I   mention, at this press conference, from where and how we will bring oil.

Koyama, Freelancer: Not only the government, but the people and companies have to be prepared, too. So they have to know what may happen otherwise they have no way to prepare.

Minister Gemba: With regard to the possibility of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, is there any foreign minister who concretely mentions his view on that particular point? I am not aware of that. What is important is the consideration within the government, and I believe that we should be prepared to take necessary measures when it happens.

Koyama, Freelancer: Ninety percent of crude oil imported into Japan is from Middle East and Japan is the only such country, so the damage on Japan was greatest. That is why I am asking this question.

Minister Gemba: It is not only Japan. I think that China also imports a lot of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. So we need to think if each country should openly discuss everything about the worst case scenario at this juncture. I believe that my position requires me to make statements taking that into consideration.

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