Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > March 13, 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, March 13, 2012, 8:50 a.m.
Place: In the Diet

Main topics:

  1. Opening Remarks
    • (1) Additional Measures against Iran
    • (2) Relaxation of Travel Restrictions by Taiwan
  2. Situation in North Korea
  3. Additional Measures against Iran

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Additional Measures against Iran

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: Iran, contrary to the series of resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the IAEA Board of Governors, continues and expands its enrichment-related activities. Based on such a  situation, at today's Cabinet Meeting, it was approved that Japan adds an Iranian bank to the list of those subject to Additional Accompanying Measures pursuant to UNSC resolution on Iran, which were conducted in 2010.
Japan will make efforts for a peaceful diplomatic resolution of the nuclear issue of Iran in cooperation with the international community, while placing diplomatic pressure on Iran. In addition, we will tenaciously work on Iran to solve the problem.
Japan welcomes the move to the resumption of talks between the EU 3+3 and Iran, and strongly hopes that substantial progress will be made toward the resolution of the issue.

(2) Relaxation of Travel Restrictions by Taiwan

Minister Gemba: Taiwan relaxed its travel restrictions.
President Ma Ying-jeaou of Taiwan announced at yesterday's reception in Taipei that Taiwan would lift its travel restrictions to the entire area of Fukushima prefecture except for the area within a radius of 30 km from TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and the deliberate evacuation area. Until the announcement, we had strongly worked on Taiwan through various means such as sending letters, and therefore I highly evaluate Taiwan’s decision.
We would like to continue to actively provide information on the current situation of Japan to the international community.

2. Situation in North Korea

Akiyama, TV Tokyo: North Korea's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ri Yong Ho has reportedly made a remark recently to the effect that North Korea will soon allow inspectors from the IAEA. Has the Government information about this?

Minister Gemba: I suppose you are asking about information on the relations between the United States and North Korea, in particular. Anyhow, I have been reiterating that it is important that North Korea takes concrete actions and that it is necessary that they discuss pending issues including IAEA-related matters. I think some detailed arrangements have been making progress if the media report is true. The final goal, however, is the total suspension of North Korea's nuclear-related activities, and I think North Korea's response is good for the first step.

3. Additional Measures against Iran

Yoshioka, NHK: With regard to Tejarato Bank, I am afraid that it will be difficult for small and medium-sized companies to find an alternative financial institution even if a transition period is provided. I do not think that the impact on the economy will be avoidable. Please tell us what you think of the sanction with consideration of the impacts on Japanese exporting companies.

Minister Gemba: We have been making arrangements to provide a certain grace period and minimize the influence on Japan's economy. We have finished making the arrangements. This is a matter different from the Defense Authorization Act, but there may be a little influence as you said. We have been making the arrangements in order to eliminate the influence. As a matter of course, I think that international cooperation is the most important aspect now. As I have been reiterating, we are always thinking about what can be the most effective sanction. Please take that the current measures as a part of it.

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