Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > May 8, 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, May 8, 2012, 10:46 a.m.
Place: In front of Minister's Reception Room

Main topics:

  1. Opening Remarks
    • (1) Visits to Southwest Asia, the Middle East, and Africa
  2. Questions concerning the Signing of a Japan-ROK General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA)
  3. Questions concerning the Japan-China-ROK Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Visits to Southwest Asia, the Middle East, and Africa

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: Over the recent holidays I went on official trips. With the intent to develop Network Diplomacy, I visited Southwest Asia, as well as Middle Eastern and African countries that are working toward democratization, along with addressing the Middle East peace process, the issue of Iran, and the historic changes. I visited seven countries and regions over the course of 10 days to feel the vigor of each location. Through various meetings, I was able to deepen Japan’s cooperative relations with each country or region. All of this made the visits extremely significant.

In Nepal, I had meetings with the heads of the government and major political parties. I encouraged them to make further efforts toward the establishment of a Constitution, and communicated that Japan would continue to support the firm establishment of democracy there.

In India, as an important partner for Japan which shares the democratic values and has common security positions, we held the Sixth Japan-India Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue and the First India-Japan Ministerial-level Economic Dialogue. In these dialogues, there were discussions on the strengthening of cooperation in the fields of politics and security, which included talk of setting up a dialogue on the maritime affairs, and on our bilateral economic relationship, including the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) Project and the issue of rare earth materials, among other matters.

In Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Jordan, and Egypt, I had direct and frank exchanges of opinions with local leaders. In order to make a positive contribution to peace and stability in the region, in each of these meetings, I directly communicated Japan’s position on the Middle East peace issue, the nuclear issue of Iran, and other matters. I also communicated that Japan would continue to support the self-reliant efforts of Egypt and Jordan toward their reforms.

As the first Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs to visit Morocco in 18 years, I expressed support for reform efforts in the country, and shared the view on the start of preparatory talks on an investment agreement. In addition, I served as co-chair of the Fourth TICAD Ministerial Follow-up Meeting. At the Meeting, we discussed with African countries the issues that TICAD V should place an emphasis on.

2. Questions concerning the Signing of a Japan-ROK General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA)

Murakami, Fuji Television: Regarding the Republic of Korea, some foreign media outlets have reported that a Japan-ROK General Security of Military Information Agreement will be signed. Could you explain the current situation and your view on this issue?

Minister Gemba: I think this agreement, GSOMIA, is a very important issue, and I myself have been discussing it directly with the Government of the Republic of Korea. We are still discussing various aspects, so I am not able to explain the conclusion at this stage. However, I fully understand the importance of this issue.

Noguchi, Nippon Television: What kind of military information is supposed to be shared, and how will the responsibilities be shared to collect such information?

Minister Gemba: I don't think it is appropriate to refer to a specific subject, but frankly speaking, information related to the recent case and other conceivable cases, for example. We will be able to build an environment where more information can be shared between Japan and the Republic of Korea. It does not mean that we currently do not share any information at all. However, signing GSOMIA will definitely enable us to share information more smoothly. Considering the case that occurred recently, it is only natural to continue to share information with the Republic of Korea.

Furthermore, Japan has an alliance with the United States, and the Republic of Korea also has alliance with the United States. When we consider the security environment in the Asia Pacific region, it is critical that Japan and the Republic of Korea deepen our relation in terms of security. I have consistently held the same view that GSOMIA is one of the concrete matters required to achieve this, and I have been discussing this issue at every meeting with the foreign minister of the Republic of Korea. Based on such background, I think it has to be realized by all means.

Takahashi, Hokkaido Shimbun: Is there a fixed schedule for the Defense Minister of the Republic of Korea to visit Japan? Also, do you think the issue of comfort women could be an obstacle?

Minister Gemba: Basically, the counterpart of Defense Minister of the Republic of Korea is the Defense Minister of Japan. I don't think it is appropriate for me to mention anything about that.

I do not know whether the comfort women issue could be an obstacle or not, however, needless to say, it is a separate issue and should be dealt with separately.

Imai, Yomiuri Shimbun: In the same context, what is your view on a Japan-ROK Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA)?

Minister Gemba: I also consider ACSA to be important next to GSOMIA. In the recent foreign ministerial meetings, GSOMIA has been discussed as the first priority, but ACSA has been certainly included in the discussions.

Shimada, NHK: Does the "recent case" you mentioned earlier mean the launch of a missile by North Korea?

Minister Gemba: It is more or less what you think.

Shimada, NHK: If Japan and ROK signed this agreement, Japan could take more prompt actions in such situations. Is that what is being expected here?

Minister Gemba: In the recent case, for example, it was difficult for Japan to intercept the missile due to our geological location. On the other hand, it would be possible for the Republic of Korea, from a geological point of view. It does not necessarily mean that GSOMIA will enable us to do so perfectly in such circumstances; however, it will provide an environment that will help make it possible.

3. Questions concerning the Japan-China-ROK Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

Ikegawa, NHK: The Japan-China-ROK Summit Meeting will be held this weekend. Could you tell us what kind of conclusion you have reached regarding the prospects of the Japan-China-ROK FTA that you mentioned the other day?

Minister Gemba: It is not possible to tell you the conclusion here as yet, but the recent conclusion in substance of the investment agreement has a major significance. And because it serves as a precursor to the Japan-China-ROK FTA, we need to move forward with the Japan-China-ROK FTA as well.

I expect that there will be a significant progress, but I have been thinking that for this kind of economic partnership, we always need to consider within the larger context the timing and speed as well as which level of economic partnership we should pursue and with which country. This is indeed a strategic thinking. We often hear news reports that China and Korea are moving ahead of us on this issue, but I am not too concerned about this. I think what is important is to decide what we should do and how we should proceed in what order and at what timing within the overall context. When put in such a context, I think that the TPP should come first as the grand strategy. Then, based on that, bilateral and trilateral FTAs such as the Japan-China-ROK FTA and the Japan-Australia FTA are also important.

I believe that for economic partnerships, it is important to consider things within the overall context.

Ikegawa, NHK: This is just to confirm, but are you of the opinion that Japan should proceed with the TPP ahead of the Japan-China-ROK FTA?

Minister Gemba: I acknowledge the TPP to be the foremost grand strategy. But this is not to say that we will not move forward with the Japan-China-ROK FTA. I would like to expect that there will be some progress with regard to the Japan-China-ROK FTA.

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