Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > February 29, 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 29, 2012, 2:00 p.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

  1. Questions concerning Realignment of US Forces in Japan
  2. Questions concerning Outlook of Chinese Economy
  3. Questions concerning Nuclear Agreements
  4. Questions concerning Abductions Cases of Japanese Citizens by North Korea
  5. Questions concerning Sanctions on Iran
  6. Questions concerning Realignment of US Forces in Japan

1. Questions concerning Realignment of US Forces in Japan

Tosa, Asahi Shimbun: Concerning the Deputy Director-General level meeting on the realignment of the US forces in Japan which ended yesterday, as of yesterday, what was the content of discussion, and how far things have been decided?

Minister Gemba: With regard to so-called the Japan-US Deputy Director-General level meeting, discussions focused on, among others, the issue of Marine Corps unit deployment. As I have been saying from the past, I gave the instruction to actively discuss how it would contribute to the security of Japan and how it would affect the security of the Asia- Pacific Region as a whole. I understand such a discussion took place. It is not that any definite things have been decided. It is still in the process of discussion, so please understand that I can not give you the details of the discussion.

Tosa, Asahi Shimbun: You stated “actively discuss”, can you elaborate on that please?

Minister Gemba: About that matter, of course I have the wish to express using my own words. But please understand that since the consultation is still underway, discussion is still conducted and therefore nothing has been decided yet. In response to the explanation of the US, we should discuss the deployment and the number of the forces.
At first we have to make independent efforts to improve the defense capability and then discuss what kind of influence will there be given on Japan’s deterrence, while we perform analysis and evaluation. We are still in the midst of discussion between the two countries.

Shimada, NHK: Mr. Zumwalt, after the meeting, mentioned that concerning the deepening of Japan-US alliance the discussion took place. Minister, you said it is important to reinforce the defense capability of Japan on its own. For example, in the future deployment of Marine Corps, will further collaboration between Self Defense Forces and the Marine Corps be considered? Can you elaborate on the discussion on Japan-US alliance?

Minister Gemba: The discussion on Japan-US alliance, as I mentioned, was centered on the US Marine Corps deployment, and some other topics were discussed, too. At the same time, when we talk of Japan-US alliance in security arena, basically it is based on the article six of the Japan-US Security Treaty, as I mentioned in the past. The division of the roles and responsibility between the US and Japan in the Asia Pacific as a whole and also on a global basis should be made not only in the security aspects but in the softer aspect as well. It is my consistent view. In this particular meeting, to what extent discussion took place is something we will see from now.

Shimada, NHK: I think that land returns south of Kadena is part of discussion. In connection with that, Prime Minister Noda told that, when the cherry blossoms bloom, he wished to visit the United States but there is issue related to the Diet. Therefore Prime Minister’s visit to the US seems to be conducted sometime in Golden Week of May. Prime Minister also stated that, even if everything cannot be decided by then, he hoped that a certain direction is shown. Do you engage in consultation to find some direction until that timing?

Minister Gemba: Prime Minister’s visit to US is not determined yet. It will be at the time convenient to both parties. There will be Centennial Celebration of the Gift of Trees as you mentioned, but the timing has not been decided yet. On the occasion of Prime Minister’s visit to the US, the future of the Japan-US alliance and matters other than that will be discussed. As for the timing of his visits to US, there is no clear prospect yet. It will take weeks to months. Of course if the conclusion can be drawn earlier, that is better, but we should not rush to the conclusion. We should have the in-depth discussion. Without going into hasty conclusion, Japanese side should actively discuss to reach a conclusion in cooperation with the US side. Not only the form but substance should be discussed. Therefore we have started the discussion from the perspective of deterrence.

2. Questions concerning Outlook of Chinese Economy

Kaku, Xinhua: Next week, on March 5, the National People’s Conference will take place in China. In that the discussion will refer to economic reform and so forth. Considering the crisis in Europe and also the global economic slowdown, the environment surrounding Chinese economy is not necessarily good. What do you think of the outlook of Chinese economy?

Minister Gemba: With regard to the outlook of Chinese economy, I have stated that the development of China provides great opportunity for Japan and we would like to establish a win-win relationship, that is, a Mutually Beneficial Relationship based on Common Strategic Interests. In case of China, though number may not be exact, I think it is achieving the growth rate of seven to eight percent. This issue is what will transpire from now on. Basically, in terms of potential, China has more than sufficient. Then, demographically, like in Japan, the aging society with a smaller number of children may come about in China. If that kind of time comes about, it will lead to the decline in the work force. I think that China’s response to the problem is one of the salient points. As we are at the forefront of the aging society, we should show an example of providing the solution to this issue. I do hope that it would benefit China as well. In conjunction with the economic crisis in Europe, we should expect Europe to make their own efforts to resolve the issue. We extend cooperation to some extent by acquiring the EFSF bond. In the framework of the IMF, discussions are being made on what sort of cooperation and support countries can provide based on the Europe’s own efforts, between finance ministers and between the Minister of Finance of Japan and the Chinese Deputy Premier.  We will see in what extent and where we can join our forces to build a bulwark to prevent the European crisis coming this way and to support Europe itself. We should be seriously thinking about it.

3. Questions concerning Nuclear Agreements

Yoshioka, NHK: Because of the Great East Japan Earthquake, negotiations on nuclear agreements have been suspended, but I heard that, in the near future, you will resume those negotiations. Why is it necessary to resume the negotiations at this timing?

Minister Gemba: I am not sure about which negotiations you are asking. I cannot mention on a specific negotiation, however, basically, as I always mention, the responsibility and lessons, particularly lessons and the knowledge we acquired from the nuclear accident should be shared with the rest of the world. When it comes to nuclear agreement, the contents differ. For instance, Chernobyl accident. For instance, to learn the lessons about the accident in Chernobyl, a nuclear agreement can be considered.
In order to facilitate the export of nuclear power plants, a nuclear agreement can also be concluded. If that is to serve the second purpose that I mentioned, we should judge in comprehensive manner considering what kind of energy policy they adopt, whether they have to depend absolutely on the nuclear power generation, or if they have a very strong expectation and trust on Japanese technology in the area of nuclear power. This does not mean that we have to offer our proposal to them unilaterally. As I mentioned, conditions must be set. If there is a strong trust and expectation from the partner countries and if the energy situation of the partner country is well understood that they have to depend on the nuclear power generation absolutely, I think we need to meet their trust and expectation. That is our basic position.

Yoshioka, NHK: Turkey was one of the countries included in my question. Concerning Turkey, before the earthquake, Japan was ahead of IVS in winning the order or the negotiation. While the negotiation was suspended, last month, President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea (ROK)visited Turkey and the ROK will be in the negotiation table with Turkey again. Are you thinking of concluding the nuclear agreement with Turkey so that the deal on the export of nuclear power plants could be won?

Minister Gemba: I have had discussions with related ministers of Turkey from time to time and I visit Turkey myself. I am sure that the expectation of Turkey to Japan in this area is very high. It is not that we are making the forceful marketing, but rather I think it was a case of Deputy Prime Minister, the Turkish side approached us by saying that Turkey will continue to promote renewable energy resources but still they will have to depend on the nuclear power generation. In such case, Japan is the country that Turkey trusts. Such remarks were made more than once. Therefore, based on that, we will judge in a comprehensive manner.

4. Questions concerning Abductions Cases of Japanese Citizens by North Korea

Noguchi, Nippon TV: In the US-North Korea Dialogue last week, the issue of abduction was raised. As a Foreign Minister of Japan, what is your view on the current status of the abduction issue? And after the dialogue between the two countries, Mr. Sugiyama, Director General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, in our interview, stated that Japan should make further efforts for the resolution to the Abduction cases of Japanese Citizens by North Korea. Do you think of any new development on the issue?

Minister Gemba: In the US-North Korea Dialogue, I heard from the US that the issue of abductions was raised. And on that matter, North Korea did not show any particular response and that was what was reported to us. About the current situation, as I always mention, the abduction issue must be resolved together with the nuclear and missile issue in a comprehensive way. I often stated, on North Korea’s situation, “risk and opportunities”. We have to prepare against risk while creating opportunities and those efforts should be continued. Mr. Noguchi asked about the situation of the bilateral the relation between Japan and North Korea, but it is very difficult for me to describe it right now. But I would like to make utmost effort so that all the abductees are able to return to Japan. To that end we have to urge North Korea to take concrete actions on this matter. We do not deny the possibility of dialogue, and in the end the dialogue is needed, but we have to find the appropriate timing and appropriate way to conduct the dialogues.

5. Questions concerning Sanctions on Iran

Ikeda, Kyodo Press: Concerning the National Defense Authorization Act, in the public hearing of the Senate, Secretary of State Clinton said that Japan would make efforts to reduce the import of oil by 15% to 20%. Is it the direction that Japan has already conveyed to the US? And today is the last day of February. What about the state of negotiation towards agreement?

Minister Gemba: I am aware of the remarks of the Secretary of the State but I am not able to talk about specific numbers because it is related to the market and I hope you will understand why I cannot refer to that. And concerning the National Defense Authorization Act and scope of the sanction, I discern it is the final leg of deliberation and the degree of understanding on both sides has been substantially deepened. And at this point in time, I do not think that the Japanese banks will be the target of sanction. What is important here is the international collaboration and our direction to continue to reduce the import of petroleum from Iran. We are discussing this issue and we should cooperate to make the sanction against Iran will be effective and to prevent the nuclear development by Iran. Along with that, considering the environment surrounding the Japanese economy especially in post-earthquake era, we should try to minimize the impact of this and if possible, try to make the impact to zero. And we have been taking necessary measures.

6. Questions concerning Realignment of US Forces in Japan

Shimada, NHK: I think that the explanation by the US was made on the unit structure and rotation. Minister, you always state that Japan will actively discuss from the perspective of deterrence. In response to the changes, including rotation, by the realignment of the US Forces in Japan this time, what Japanese government concerns? What point Japanese government focuses on?

Minister Gemba: If I use my own expression to explain that point, I am afraid that information about the discussion which is currently held might be leaked and therefore I must be very careful about my words on that issue. Anyway, we have to look at what the deterrence means, and I think that is the capability to deter the attack from our enemy. The environment around the security has changed significantly. And we need to share that recognition between the two countries and the realignment of the US Forces and the realignment of Marine corps that take place in that context. And the division of roles between the US forces and Self Defense Forces also exists in that context and therefore we have to have the solid discussion about that matter. And furthermore, by the joint press release in the beginning of February,  the discussion between Japan and US has become easier, on the deepening of the Japan-US Alliance, the planning effort, the missile defense, the extended deterrence, space, cyber, and the security of the secrecy of information , though, of course, the discussion had been held in the past. I believe that the deepening of discussions between the two countries will lead to the enhancement of deterrence. And therefore the agreement between the two countries, although we are still in the midst of discussion between the two countries, will certainly contribute to the further deepening of Japan-US alliance in my view.

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