(* 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 22, 2012, 5:25 a.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Opening Remarks
- (1) One-year period since the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand
- (2) Receptions on the occasion of the one-year period since the Great East Japan Earthquake
- (3) Speech by Foreign Minister Gemba and a Symposium on Foreign Policy
- (4) TPP (Consultation with Australia)
Questions concerning the review of the implementation of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)
Questions concerning the situation on Iran
Questions concerning TPP (consultation with Australia)
Questions concerning the realignment of the U.S. Forces in Japan
Questions concerning the imports of LNG from the United States

1. Opening Remarks

(1) One-year period since the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: At the outset, there are four points that I would like to mention about.
The first point is that one year has passed since the massive earthquake has hit Christchurch in New Zealand. I would like to once again extend my condolences to the victims of that earthquake. I understand that the memorial service was organized and the bereaved families attended that service. We will continue to offer necessary support to them. On the one year period since the Christchurch earthquake, Prime Minister Noda sent out a message to Prime Minister Key in which he once again expressed his appreciation for the consideration and support extended to the families of Japanese victims by those concerned on the part of New Zealand, as well as requests for thorough investigation of the reason behind the collapse of the CTV building, about which the bereaved families have a strong interest.

(2) Receptions on the occasion of the one-year period since the Great East Japan Earthquake

Minister Gemba: As we will soon mark the one year period since the Great East Japan Earthquake, in memory of the victims of that earthquake and in order to express appreciation to the support extended by foreign countries, and at the same time to send out appeal on the recovery of Japan and to send a message to mitigate reputational damage, on March 12th, I will host a reception at IIkura Guest House. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, we once again realized the need and importance of the “bond of friendship” with the international community and therefore we want to make this reception as an opportunity to realize the “bond of friendship” between disaster-affected areas and international communities. You might have received handouts that Isamu Sato, the mayor of Kurihara City of Miyagi Prefecture, who strived for accepting the medical professional team from Israel as well as the Monkey Majikc, that includes both Japanese and Canadian members, to whom we asked to be KIZUNA Ambassadors (Ambassadors of Resilience), and also the members of US Forces in Japan, foreign residents in Japan, NGOs and business personnel will be invited. At the same time we will have the demonstration performance of “the song of recovery” by Fukushima Prefectural Asaka Reimei High School Chorus. Also, around March 11th, receptions with the same objective will be held at 210 diplomatic establishments abroad.

(3) Speech by Foreign Minister Gemba and a Symposium on Foreign Policy

Minister Gemba: The third point is that last December I delivered a speech on foreign policy regarding the creation of a network in the Asia-Pacific region. I will make a second speech on foreign policy from 5:30pm on Tuesday, February 28th at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies. This speech will be on the theme of development of Japan’s international cooperation strategies. With a diplomatic agenda and schedule for this year in mind, I will talk about my basic view on and concrete measures on global issues. Also in this speech, I would like to touch upon the importance of various players involved in Japan’s diplomacy. On the theme of how these players, that is, global human resources should be developed by Japan, a symposium will take place after my speech.

(4) TPP (Consultation with Australia)

Minister Gemba: Regarding consultation towards participation in the TPP negotiations, on Tuesday, February 21, in Australia, officials of related ministries and agencies dispatched from Japan conducted consultations toward participation in the TPP negotiations with the officials of the government of Australia. They also collected information on the TPP negotiations. In these consultations, the Australian side expressed their welcome for Japan’s interest in its participation in TPP negotiations but did not go as far as announcing its support for Japan’s participation in the TPP negotiations. The Australian side said that on Japan’s participation in TPP negotiations, continued study would be necessary. On this matter, the two countries decided to continue to closely communicate with each other. The result of this consultation, just like the consultations with other countries concerned here to date, will be examined and publicly announced in due course.

2. Questions concerning the review of the implementation of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)

Shimada, NHK: In Okinawa today, a member of the civilian component, who was indicted as a result of the review of the implementation of the SOFA, was sentenced to one year and six months imprisonment. The presiding judge stated at the end that he does not think there is any difference of the view on killing people between Japan and the United States and the defendant should apologize. What is your view on this sentence? People in Okinawa are requesting fundamental review of the SOFA, and the Prime Minister earlier on said at the Budget Committee that he would like to consider establishing a consultative body to review that. Could you tell us the situation of consideration or your view on this matter?

Minister Gemba: I am aware of the content of the sentence on the defendant Ramsy. As you know, I think this sentence is the result of the review of the implementation of the SOFA, which had changed the status quo of trials of a member of the civilian component who was in performance of official duty. However, about the content of the sentence itself, Ministry of Foreign Affairs or I (Minister) should refrain from commenting, because it was delivered in accordance with Japanese legal system.
With regard to the SOFA, I (Minister) have compared it with, for instance, the status of forces agreement of the NATO the US-Korea Status of Forces agreement. Compared to those status of forces agreements, I would say that there has been a considerable progress in conjunction with the SOFA between Japan and the United States. In addition, two reviews were made on the implementation of the SOFA. As I always state, with regard to the SOFA, in such a way we should try to make an improvement step by step and I think that is the fastest way. If we consider fundamental revision, it will take considerable time like five or six years. And at the same time on the part of the United States, they should have many points to discuss. Therefore as a result of step by step improvements on implementation, I think that the SOFA has become more progressive than any other agreement. We should try to make further improvement and that is a practical approach. Prime Minister mentioned about the consultative body and I think that he consider it as one of the issues to be considered.. The Joint Committee itself is such a consultative body. Therefore, we would like to further discuss various issues at the Joint Committee and make continuous effort. At the same time, with regard to the review of the SOFA itself. While we steadily work on urgent issues such as the realignment of the U.S. Forces in Japan including the review of the package, which was recently announced, we should consider the appropriate timing for doing such a review.

Matsudo, Ryukyu Shimpo: This time a member of the civilian component was convicted. In the case of members of the US armed forces, in many cases it is only the admonishment that is granted. Do you have any intention to consider Japan can exercise jurisdiction over members of the US armed forces?

Minister Gemba: As I said earlier, members of the US armed forces and civilian components who commit a crime in the performance of official duty; this is not only in the SOFA between Japan and the United States but also in the agreements between the US and other countries. If the act is done outside of their official duty, then Japan has jurisdiction. We have made improvements because of very strong requests from the people in Okinawa, we reviewed the SOFA I would say that the Japanese Self Defense Forces were sent to Djibouti. In Djibouti, Japan has jurisdiction even over the act done not in the performance of official duty. Including all these things, we have to give it comprehensive consideration and I(Minister) would like to continue to think about what should be reviewed and at what time the review should be conducted.

3. Questions concerning the situation on Iran

Ikekawa, NHK: I would like to ask you a question about the US Defense Authorization Act. From March, all trade of goods other than oil with Iran could be subject to the sanctions. Is there any likelihood of an agreement between Japan and the US on the exemption? With respect to the situation of coordination with the US, at what stage are we?

Minister Gemba: With respect to the US Defense Authorization Act, as I have been saying, I think we have deepened mutual understanding on both sides. As you pointed out, this is something that has a time limit, therefore we should come out with a solid conclusion by the deadline.

Ikekawa, NHK: More specifically, do you have confidence that Japan will be exempted within this month?

Minister Gemba: Exemption is among the subjects of the consultation this time. We are gaining a certain understanding.

Iwata, Tokyo Shimbun: In your press conference on the other day, I think you stated that mutual understanding had deepened in the direction of reduction of 40% over five years. Now, with respect to this statement, will you keep this pace of the reduction or will you accelerate it and also increase the degree of reduction. Which are you heading for?

Minister Gemba: I think that Mr. Iwata wanted to ask the reason why I did not mention any numbers. One of the reasons is that this has to do with the private enterprises and we are not having talks with private enterprises on the assumption that the numbers are disclosed. Also there could be some impact onto the market. That is why we are taking cautious approach on this matter. As you pointed out, the amount of importation has been reduced from 500,000 B/D to probably 320,000 B/D. I think you are familiar with the general direction so far, that is, how we have reduced the import. Of course, numbers are discussed as well. We are deepening mutual understanding. The deadline is coming closer.

4. Questions concerning TPP (consultation with Australia)

Sakai, Sankei Shimbun: You mentioned that Australia did not announce its support to Japan’s participation in TPP negotiations. I think that may be because of sensitive items that Australian side has in mind. If Japan takes a further step ahead, there could be some strong opposition in the DPJ. On the other hand, if Japan does not go farther ahead, then Japan may not be able to gain support from Australia. Can you comment on this? T How are you going to handle the consultations with Australia?

Minister Gemba: We are considering having many pre-consultations with the US. With Australia, frankly speaking, I had thought that it would not be as simple as that the consultation can be concluded this time. You can understand that basically Australia has been requesting Japan’s commitment on ambitious liberalization. On this particular point, we have to cooperate closely with the Australian side. We have to give explanation on putting everything on the negotiating table. In the negotiations, we should give due consideration to sensitive items. Toward a high-level economic partnership, I think we are making headway, but, because of our past remarks in the Japan-Australia EPA negotiationss and the 80% tariff line in Japan’s existing EPAs, when it comes to ambitiousness of our commitment, Australian side may have some suspicion. I have not heard directly from the officials who were engaged in the negotiations. After receiving the report I would like to consider how to respond, based on how far the officials have proceeded in the negotiations. I (Minister) would like to consult with the ministers concerned as we move ahead.

5. Questions concerning the realignment of the U.S. Forces in Japan

Tosa, Asahi Shimbun: In connection with the review of the realignment of the US forces in Japan, you remarked at a diet session that it should be discussed from a broader viewpoint, including Japan-US Alliance. As you mentioned at the Diet, in 1996 there were the Hashimoto-Clinton talks, and in the talks between Bush and Koizumi there were remarks that the issues should be addressed on global basis by cooperation between Japan and the US. Are you considering anything with regard to deepen a new Japan-US alliance?

Minister Gemba: I (Minister) think that the issue of Futenma is very important. Futenma Air Station should not stay there forever. On top of that, I have been irritated that there are other major issues relating to Japan-US Alliance that are slow to advance because of the issue of Futenma. Having said that though, I am proud that there has been steady progress on some issues. We should just start from whatever possible by delinking the package, while maintaining deterrence we try to mitigate the impact on Okinawa. As a result, I feel that the discussion on the US-Japan Alliance as a whole can further develop As Tosa-San stated, in the meeting between Hashimoto and Clinton in 1986, the US-Japan alliance, which used to be an alliance against the former USSR, was repositioned as the public goods for the Asia-Pacific Region. Then in the Bush-Koizumi talks in 2006, the Japan-US Alliance was considered as the alliance on global basis. Now that we are seeing changes in the security environment, we are now seeing the center of gravity shifting toward the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, however, when it comes to the issues in the Asia-Pacific Region and global challenges, the partnership between Japan and the United States is essential. Therefore, I have to think about creating comprehensive and creative Japan-US alliance considering roles each country should play. This has to do not only with hard power, but also with soft power. In terms of the hard power, as I sometimes mentioned at the Diet session, that is about planning efforts, extended deterrence and RMC as well as the space and cyberspace that we also need to consider and make further advancements. To stimulate such progress, the agreement was reached recently and can serve that purpose. Also, the soft power, that is people-to-people exchange and cultural exchange, and, in fact, TPP, could be considered, in my opinion, as one of the elements that constitutes soft power. In this meaning, the US-Japan Alliance has to move to one step higher.

Kamide, Freelancer: What Minister Gemba stated is based upon the following assumption that has to do with the Constitution and the definition of Japan-US Security Treaty. When we talk about the Far East, how can those remaining questions be resolved? It is not that easy that if we say something global, then we can solve everything. This is something that requires steady efforts. Could you tell us about your basic principles? What is considered to be most important?

Minister Gemba: I think your question is about the relationship with the Constitution. First, the division of roles between the Self Defense Forces and the US forces is very important. Self Defense Forces and Japan should do what they can do. I think that the urgent deployment capabilities in the Southwest is something that the Self Defense Forces have to have a better capability of and a very important issue for us. Furthermore, various studies about the right of collective self-defense are being made, but Noda Administration does not have an intention to change the interpretation of the right of collective self-defense at this point. Regarding the Japan-US Security Arrangement, I think this is about Article VI of the Japan-US Security Treaty rather than about the Constitution. Thus far, on various occasions, I have said what I’ve said. Basically, the Japan-US Security Treaty talks about the Far East, as it is mentioned. When you say Japan-US Alliance, as I said a moment ago, in the Far East and the surrounding areas of the Far East, I am not saying that we should expand military deployment, without limit in accordance with the Japan-US Security Treaty. Japan should do what it can do in accordance with Japanese laws on issues that require global response. So, we will not always operate in accordance with the Japan-US Security Treaty on a global basis, including Japan. What the Constitution allows to do should be done on a global basis, considering the position of Japan-US Alliance. Of course the center of gravity is shifting to the Asia-Pacific region, so within the Asia-Pacific region, not just the division of roles between the Self Defense Forces and the US Forces, but also other divisions of responsibility need to be studied further.

Kamide, Freelancer: Do you think that there is no contradiction in what you are doing now?

Minister Gemba: I do not think there is any contradiction.

6. Questions concerning the imports of LNG from the United States

Yokata, Mainichi Shimbun: About the import of natural gas from the United States, the Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura said that Japan would actively be involved in the promotion of the import. w what is your view on the significance of the import from the US and its need? What sort of diplomatic negotiations have taken place? According to a news report, when Prime Minister visits the US, an agreement might be reached. What is your outlook?

Minister Gemba: It is not yet decided. I have heard that The Vice Minister of METI was sent for the consultation. I think that basically diversification of the source is important. However, I understand that the United States cannot decide soon whether to expand exports or not.. I think that they cannot come out with a conclusion without careful examination on issues including its impact on the price. I think that probably the US is currently investigating on this possibility and that we should carefully watch how it evolves. In January, I visited the Middle East and had various discussion on oil and crude oil, as well as LNG. From the point of view of energy security, as the nuclear power plants are not currently in operation, the energy security is something that we have to work on with responsibility considering Japan’s macro-economy.

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