Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > April 24, 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, April 24, 2012, 10:11 a.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

  1. Opening Remarks
    • (1) Visit to Japan of H.E. Mr. Ollanta Humala Tasso, President of the Republic of Peru
  2. Questions concerning the Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan
  3. Questions concerning the Situation in North Korea
  4. Questions concerning the Situation in Myanmar
  5. Questions concerning Japan-Russia Relations

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Visit to Japan of H.E. Mr. Ollanta Humala Tasso, President of the Republic of Peru

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: It was approved in today’s Cabinet Meeting that from Tuesday, May 8 to Thursday, May 10, President Humala of the Republic of Peru, will pay an official working visit to Japan with his spouse.

On Wednesday, May 9, President Humala is scheduled to make a State Call on Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, and there will also be a Court Luncheon. On that same day President Humala will have a summit meeting and working dinner with Prime Minister Noda to have an exchange of opinions on bilateral relations, cooperation in the international arena, and other matters.

It is expected that the visit to Japan by President Humala this time will promote bilateral relations including economic relations, as well as cooperative relations in the international arena.

2. Questions concerning the Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan

Nishikawa, TBS: I would like to ask you about the interim report on the realignment of the U.S. Forces in Japan. I have heard that it is in the final coordination phase and the interim report could be published tomorrow. What is your current view on this issue?

Minister Gemba: I have been working on the coordination of this issue with both the Japanese and U.S. government, taking into account the needs of people in Okinawa. I am pleased to say that we have a prospect of achieving a certain goal.

Nishikawa, TBS: I understand that it is difficult to realize everything Japan wants in such negotiations. How satisfied are you with what you have achieved so far?

Minister Gemba: I think Japan’s arguments have been accepted to a large extent.

Nishikawa, TBS: It may not be easy to say, but approximately how much in percentage points do you think has been achieved?

Minister Gemba: Please ask me again tomorrow.

Noguchi, Nippon Television: Regarding the same issue, you mentioned that you took into account the needs of people in Okinawa, but how much of the needs have been met, and what has been achieved?

Minister Gemba: One of the most important issues for Okinawa Prefecture is the return of the land south of Kadena. As I previously explained, the land south of Kadena was planned to be returned sometime in the future. However, in that package, it was not possible to implement it until Futenma Air Station was relocated. That is why, as I explained from the beginning, the return of the land should be separated from the package in order to bring forward the reduction of the impact on Okinawa. I think we have achieved exactly what we had hoped for.

In other words, separating the issue from the package enabled us to see what can be returned now. I have been choosing my words very carefully to explain this situation, and as I said before, "first of all, the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps to Guam and other locations should be implemented, followed by the consolidation of the areas where facilities are located in Okinawa, and then the return of the land". Now, the return issue is even separated from the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps to Guam, so we have more areas that can be returned without the relocation of Marine Corps, as well as the ones that can be returned if the consolidation of facilities and areas are implemented or alternative locations are secured. Okinawa has been strongly demanding the return of the "Industrial Corridor" and the warehouse area in Makiminato Service Area. I have been negotiating on these specific areas for a long time, and I think we have met the needs of Okinawa to a certain degree.

3. Questions concerning the Situation in North Korea

Yoshioka, NHK: Yesterday, North Korea announced that it would take another provocative action against the Republic of Korea (ROK). What kind of provision is the Japanese government making?

Minister Gemba: I am aware of the media report. Yesterday, I gave some instructions to my staff in reaction to this; however, I cannot provide any information because this is related to intelligence.

I think the most important thing is that North Korea takes the recent presidential statement of the U.N. Security Council seriously and takes concrete actions in line with the presidential statement, and we need to collaborate with U.S. and ROK closely in handling the situation.

4. Questions concerning the Situation in Myanmar

Yoshioka, NHK: Regarding Myanmar, I understand that it has been agreed to write-off up to 300 billion yen of its debt. In the current severe fiscal situation in Japan, how do you think you can and are going to win public understanding for forgiving such a large amount of debt?

Minister Gemba: It is a kind of refunding rather than a write-off. I was sitting next to President Thein Sein at the working dinner, and I said to him that inevitably questions would be raised against such actions, but we praise Myanmar’s democratization, the efforts to promote national reconciliation and the overall reforms, and fully support such efforts for reforms. The important thing is to let the people of Myanmar realize that their individual effort for reforms will help them build more prosperous lives. I also urged the president to make things move forward by having thorough discussions with Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, which I would like him to think of his responsibility for the people of Japan about the assistance.

In addition, needless to say, Myanmar is located in an important area from a geopolitical point of view, and there is a high level of interest in terms of investment by enterprises in Japan. For this reason, Japan's support is important not only as a contribution to the international community but also to build win-win relations with Japanese enterprises. As a result, I believe it will bring wealth to Japanese people.

5. Questions concerning Japan-Russia Relations

Aiuchi, Hokkaido Shimbun: As of May 7, Mr. Putin, Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, will be inaugurated as the president. How are you going to develop Japan-Russia diplomatic relations? In addition, in many occasions you mentioned that you wanted to have substantial negotiation on the Northern Territories issue. Do you have a blueprint to realize that? If so, could you explain some part of it?

Minister Gemba: I have been contemplating on how to strengthen and develop relations with Russia, including the Northern Territories issue. The point is that I put importance on the relations with Russia and cooperation in all fields, as I have always said, and as I strongly believe in. As for the Northern Territory issue, I think it is important to have face-to-face meetings to build a trusting relationship between the leaders in order to make progress.

Although Japan-Russia relations have significantly high potential, they cannot enter a new stage without solving the territory issue. Therefore, I think it is important to promote efforts to solve the territorial dispute.

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