Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > March 16, 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: Friday, March 16, 2012, 7:55 a.m.
Place: In the Diet

Main topics:

  1. Opening Remarks
    • (1) Holding “Briefing for Foreign Companies and the Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo concerning the Special Zone for Reconstruction”
  2. Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan
  3. Attempt by Former Minister Nakai to Contact with North Korea
  4. Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Holding “Briefing for Foreign Companies and the Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo concerning the Special Zone for Reconstruction”

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: As part of our reconstruction efforts under the principle of “Open Reconstruction” policy, we will hold a briefing on the Special Zone for Reconstruction for foreign companies and the diplomatic corps in Tokyo. The briefing, co-hosted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cabinet Office, Reconstruction Agency, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and JETRO, will be held Friday, March 23, next week at JETRO headquarters in Tokyo. Representatives of local governments affected by the disaster will also attend the briefing to give presentations on their reconstruction plans as well as the attractiveness of their areas. In order to accelerate the reconstruction process, I hope that foreign companies as well as Japanese companies will participate in reconstruction projects. We would like to explain how to participate and hope that those companies will contribute to create a model for Japan’s rebirth. The details on this issue will be on the handouts we will distribute to you later.

2. Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan

Hanamura, TV Asahi: During his visit to Yamaguchi Prefecture, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kato stated that there would be no relocation of marines to Iwakuni and that it had been acknowledged by the U.S. side. Could you tell us about the possibility of relocating marines to other areas of Japan as well as the possibility that more than 10,000 marines will remain in Okinawa?

Minister Gemba: The relocation of carrier-based aircraft from Atsugi Base and KC-135 from Futenma to Iwakuni are already written in our road map as I have been reiterating. I myself have explicitly conveyed to the governor of Yamaguchi and the mayor of Iwakuni that the central government would not be requesting additional burden from Iwakuni. As the U.S. has officially acknowledged this decision, the Parliamentary Vice-Minister went to Yamaguchi to explain about that. As for the possibility of relocation to other areas of Japan, I would rather refrain from making comments as it may invite misunderstanding. However, I can say that we are vigorously discussing this issue by thoroughly studying it from the aspects of corps deployment, size of relocation and the number of personnel to be relocated. The strategic environment surrounding us has changed since 2006. In view of this change, we have been actively discussing the form of deployment that is most suited for the present environment as well as what we can do to contribute to the security of the Northeast Asia. As I mentioned before, it will be weeks or even months before we will come to a conclusion, but we will remain committed to addressing this issue. Although we have not reached any conclusion on this issue, some media are already reporting how many personnel will be relocated to where and such, but the number varies from one media to another. The fact that the reported number is not consistent itself shows that final conclusion has not been reached yet. Of course, we have the situation of U.S. Forces to consider as well. At any rate, we would like to take more time to work on this issue.

Hanamura, TV Asahi: What about the possibility that more than 10,000 marines will remain in Okinawa?

Minister Gemba: That is the number according to our basic policy.
 
Hanamura, TV Asahi: What you mean is you will keep the number of personnel below 10,000?

Minister Gemba: As the basic policy, yes.

3. Attempt by Former Minister Nakai to Contact with North Korea

Hanamura, TV Asahi: It is now a known fact that Mr. Nakai, former state minister in charge of the abduction issue, is trying to contact with North Korea. Whether Mr. Nakai can actually visit North Korea or not, there is an issue of repatriation of Japanese wives living in North Korea. Also, there is another issue of collecting the remains of those who were not allowed to leave North Korea after the war and died there. There are Japanese nationals who are requesting permission to go there for collecting their remains or to visit their graves. What do you think of the significance of coping with the aftermath of the war?

Minister Gemba: As far as this issue is concerned, I understand that Mr. Nakai is acting as a private person. As such, I would like to refrain from commenting on it as a government minister.
Generally speaking, I think the dialogue between Japan and North Korea will be necessary in the future, although at present we are not making any arrangements for it. As for the collection of the remains, I am aware of the requests.

Hanamura, TV Asahi: What about the significance of addressing these issues?

Minister Gemba: At the moment, I have no comments.

Hanamura, TV Asahi: There has been a report that during Mr. Nakai’s visit in January, a MOFA official was accompanying him as an observer. Can you clarify if it is a fact?

Minister Gemba: I have nothing to comment.

4. Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan

Chugoku Shimbun: From the talks held in Iwakuni yesterday, did you get the feeling that negotiation concerning the relocation of carrier-based aircraft and the sale of the Mt. Atagoyama development site will proceed smoothly?

Minister Gemba: I strongly hope so.

Chugoku Shimbun: You think the talks have now moved on to a next stage?

Minister Gemba: Regarding such issues as the relocation of carrier-based aircraft from Atsugi Base and the sale of Mt. Atagoyama development site, we sincerely hope to obtain their understanding to carry on these projects as planned.

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