(* 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, March 6, 2012, 9:25 a.m.
Place: In front of Minister’s Reception Room
Main topics:
- Presidential Election in Russia
- Situation in Iran
- Japan-China Relationship
- Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan
1. Presidential Election in Russia
Hirouchi, NHK: Although Mr. Putin won the Russian presidential election, there are already voices in Russia suspecting electoral fraud. What is your view of this election result, including such speculations?
Minister Gemba: As for the suspected irregularities, the government of Japan has dispatched a monitoring group for this election and we have received a report saying that, while various measures were newly implemented for the election, there is still a room for improvement such as the procedures at polling and vote counting stations. Having said that, I think that the actual result was an overwhelming one.
As I have been saying, I put importance on the relationship with Russia. With our changing strategic environment in the Asia-Pacific region, we are hoping to deepen our cooperative relations with Russia in every field. In this context, finding a solution to the Northern Territory issue is becoming more important than ever. As such, we will put our efforts in negotiating with Russia to solve the territorial dispute of the Northern Territory based on the existing agreements and documents in accordance with the principles of law and justice.
Hirouchi, NHK: In regard to solving the Northern Territory issue, are you planning to visit Russia or considering to arrange for a summit meeting between Prime Minister Noda and Mr. Putin after his inauguration?
Minister Gemba: Yes, I have received an invitation. Since Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov came to visit us in January, I think it is my turn to visit them. Let me say, however, that my visit and Prime Minister’s visit to Russia is still under consideration and is not finalized yet.
2. Situation in Iran
Yoshioka, NHK: While the possibility that Israel may strike Iran is discussed, what are the measures that are being considered at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for protecting Japanese nationals overseas?
Minister Gemba: Regarding the protection of Japanese nationals overseas, we at MOFA have spent considerable amount of time to discuss and prepare the measures to be taken in the event of contingencies. However, the most important thing about Iran’s nuclear issue is that we should find a diplomatic and peaceful solution, and I think that is the way it should be. To this end, we are working in coordination with the international community in implementing effective sanctions against Iran, and if required by the situation, I think we will have to work on Iran through a direct channel. As for the evacuation of Japanese nationals in the event of contingencies, we will take all possible measures.
3. Japan-China Relationship
Takahashi, Hokkaido Shimbun: China has protested Japan for naming some of the islands in Senkaku Islands. Could you tell us about the purpose of naming these islands, and also how you view the protests from China?
Minister Gemba: This is an issue which has been under the control of the Headquarters for Ocean Policy from the start. These islands serve as the basis for the boundary of our exclusive economic zone or EEZ. I understand that the decision to name these islands was made for the purpose of managing and maintaining this boundary.
It goes without saying that Senkaku Islands is our inherent territory. This is an indisputable fact both historically and in light of the international law. The status quo is that we do have effective control over these islands, and as such, the view of the Japanese government on this issue is that there is no territorial dispute to be solved in the first place. I think that based on this view islands that serves as the basis for the EEZ boundary have been named, and such islands subject to be named are not limited to ones in Senkaku. The naming of islands will be conducted nationwide.
As such, it is quite regrettable that China has named these islands on their side, and I have already made a strong protest against it.
However, I think that this issue should not get in the way of the stable development of the Japan-China relationship.
4. Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan
Hirouchi, NHK: In regard to the repair cost of Futenma Air Station, there has been a media report that the U.S. had requested Japan to bear the cost in the U.S. forces realignment talks. Could you verify if this is a fact, and if so, tell us how the government will respond to the request? Also, I think burdening the repair cost may result in fixing the Futenma situation in its present form. How does the Japanese government intend to cope with it?
Minister Gemba: I think that Futenma situation should not be fixed in its present form. In order to break through the stalled talks, we have been discussing the reduction of impact on Okinawa and relocation to Guam as well as how to respond to the constantly changing security environment. We had had such talks even before the realignment issue came up. The repair of the base has been carried out as necessary to ensure the operational safety. If the base were left to be aged without repair, it could endanger the safety of the local residents. So, this repair talk had always existed before this issue came up, and repairs have actually been carried out. Basically, I think that the repair issue should be treated separately from the ongoing Japan-US talks.
Yokota, Mainichi Shimbun: Are you implying that Japan will continue to bear part of such repair cost?
Minister Gemba: This repair talks had always existed in relation to the Status of Forces Agreement, regardless of the realignment of U.S. forces, and will continue to exist no matter whether it is about Futenma base or otherwise.
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