(* 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: Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 5:20 p.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Opening Remarks
- (1) Prime Minister Noda’s attendance at the Japan-China-Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit
- (2) Visit to Japan by the President of the Syrian National Council
- (3) Visit to Japan by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia
Questions concerning Japan-Australia Relations
Question concerning Japan-China-ROK Summit
Question concerning Japan’s Diplomacy toward Africa
Question concerning Situation of Sudan
Question concerning Japan-ROK Relations (Issue of Comfort Women)
Question concerning TPP
Question concerning Japan-Australia Relations
Question concerning Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan
Question concerning Domestic Politics (Omitted)

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Prime Minister Noda’s attendance at the Japan-China-Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: Prime Minister Noda, if circumstances permit, will visit Beijing, China from Saturday, May 12 to Monday, May 14 to participate in the Japan-China-ROK Summit.

(2) Visit to Japan by the President of the Syrian National Council

Minister Gemba: From Thursday, May 10 to Friday, May 11, one of the major leaders of the dissidents, Dr. Burhan Ghalioun, President of the Syrian National Council, will be visiting Japan based on an invitation program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. President Ghalioun is scheduled to exchange views with myself and other officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during his visit. In Syria, for more than 13 months, there have been crackdowns on the dissident groups. Japan hopes that all violence will be seized as soon as possible, and that the rightful desire of the Syrian citizens for reform will be achieved. The invitation is conducted as part of Japan’s efforts toward the improvement of the situation in Syria.

(3) Visit to Japan by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia

Minister Gemba: From Wednesday, May 16 to Friday, May 18, the Honorable Bob Carr, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, will visit Japan. On Thursday, May 17, we will hold the signing ceremony of Japan-Australia Information Security Agreement, as well as Japan-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and a working dinner. His visit will present the first time for me to meet with Foreign Minister Carr.
Australia is our strategic partner which shares value and interest with Japan in the Asia Pacific region. In recent years, there is a rapid progress in the area of security cooperation, so the signing of the Information Protection Agreement this time is one of the important achievements accomplished in this field. With Minister Carr, I am going to have an unreserved exchange of opinions not only on the bilateral relations, but also on regional and international situations.

2. Questions concerning Japan-Australia Relations

Yokota, Mainichi Shimbun: I would like to ask about the Japan-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the Japan-Australia Information Security Agreement (ISA) which you have just mentioned. What is going to be the expected effect of the agreement? The holding of the 2 + 2 has been postponed. What is the situation of coordination and the prospect of holding the 2 + 2 between Japan and Australia?

Minister Gemba: With regard to the ISA, as the security environment of the Asia Pacific Region as a whole is changing, the importance of security cooperation between Japan and Australia is increasing. Therefore, in that context, we have hoped to conclude Japan-Australia ISA, the scope of which is broader than that of the GSOMIA. For that purpose, we have conducted negotiations to date. I believe that, as our similar agreements with the U.S., the NATO and France, the Japan-Australia ISA will enhance security cooperation between Japan and Australia.
We are hoping that the 2+2 can be held as soon as possible. As you are aware, this time we will be holding Foreign Ministers’ meeting. However, it is very difficult to coordinate schedules of all four 2+2 related Ministers. Considering the increasing importance of Japan-Australia cooperation in the Asia Pacific Region, I would like to hold the 2+2 as soon as possible. There have been some opportunities to hold the 2+2, but at the same time, there was a change of Foreign Minister on the part of Australia. We would like to arrange the schedule for the meeting.

3. Question concerning Japan-China-ROK Summit

Higashioka, Asahi Shimbun: With regard to the Japan-China-ROK Summit, DPJ has placed emphasis on Asia, as seen in the initiative for an East Asian Community. I think this is the fourth Japan-China-ROK Summit since the DPJ took power. So, in that context, what is the significance of the summit this time? What are your views?

Minister Gemba: Regarding the question by Mr. Higashioka, on the significance of the Japan-China-ROK summit, I think there are three significances as follows. One is the signing of the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Investment Agreement. Second, as I mentioned yesterday, with regard to the trilateral FTA, we will try to advance to obtain some result. The third point is enhancing partnership in the issues of North Korea.
To be frank, I think that there is a debate on what the concept of an East Asia community itself means. Anyway, Asia is a very important region. Therefore, I would like to make utmost effort for the success of the Japan-China-ROK Summit.

4. Question concerning Japan’s Diplomacy toward Africa

Kaku, Xinhua: I would like to ask a question regarding Minister’s visit to Africa., you stated that you are achieving the plan to increase the amount of ODA to Africa to US$1.8 billion over the five years from 2008 to 2012. What is your plan to increase the amount of ODA to Africa from the year 2013? How do you assess China’s foreign policy on Africa? So, how are you going to promote cooperation with China in relation to Africa?

Minister Gemba: I think that Ms. Kaku’s question is about Japan’s achievement in TICAD and future policy on Africa, and Japan’s evaluation on China’s ODA and investment toward Africa And also, what possible cooperation between Japan and China can be envisaged? First of all, Japan began TICAD process in 1993. This was at a stage when interest toward Africa was not very high. However, from the perspective that interest toward Africa should be enhanced, the Japanese Government took the lead in launching this initiative.
To date, with regard to commitments made through TICAD IV, Japan has fulfilled its commitment. That is the first thing which I can point out. This is not just in terms of ODA. In terms of private sector investment, the amount is more than the target and ODA is in line with the target. What we should do after TICAD V and onwards is something which, over the next year, we would like to consider. The relations between Japan and Africa should be one of win-win, and inclusive of infrastructure development, relations need to be enhanced.
With regard to Japan’s evaluation on ODA and investment carried out by China toward Africa, I think that in itself is very positive. For Africa, increased assistance in cooperation from emerging donors is something that should be welcomed.
In case of Japan, we do have transparency. The Japanese approach is as follows: Every year, we have a follow-up process at the ministerial level, whereby we confirm the level of achievements. We also get views and feedback from Africa, and we ask for ownership from Africa. We see ourselves as partners. We also seek their self-help efforts as well. In my view, in the case of emerging countries, in terms of the transparency of the substance of the activities, there needs to be further efforts. Having said that, I think that there is potential for donor countries to cooperate in Africa.

5. Question concerning Situation of Sudan

Noguchi, Nippon Television: You held meetings with the Ministers of Sudan and South Sudan. How do you evaluate the current situation in Sudan right now? Also, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces are deployed in Juba in South Sudan. But should there be worsening of the security situation, will that affect the activities of the Japanese Self-Defense Force in Juba? Also, one more thing, what is the contribution that we should make towards Sudan?

Minister Gemba: When I attended TICAD, I held meetings with Foreign Minister of Sudan and the Vice Minister of South Sudan who was, in the past, Minister. I worked on both parties in similar manner.– The same kind of approach does not mean identical approach, but, In short, the peaceful coexistence of North and South Sudan is vitally important for these two entities. Therefore, we worked on them to observe the U.N. Security Council Resolutions. The detailed substance is a bit different in two approaches, but that is the general approach that I made to these two entities.
By now, Japan extended US$730 million of aid in good balance to North and South Sudan. International community is more inclined toward South Sudan, but well-balanced assistance has been given by Japan. Therefore, I felt that both North and South Sudan have their listening ears to what Japan says.
While I made those approaches, I conveyed my concerns that, if situation worsens, then the economic assistance that we are conducting might be hampered. I also communicated the importance of observing the Security Council Resolutions, for example, the monitoring of the borderlines.

I asked South Sudan’s Vice Minister about the situation of Juba, and he said that there should be no worry about Juba. However, an investigation team has been dispatched by the Ministry of Defense. I have heard about the conclusion, but I have not been informed of the details. So, I have to know the details of our Ministry of Defense’s survey and investigation of that region. As I said at the outset, as Japan has extended well-balanced assistance was the hallmark of Japanese assistance. Therefore, to, these people listened to the words of Japanese Government with a very serious attention. That is what I want to say, particularly in this juncture. Both North and South Sudan are well aware that there is no way other than coexisting in peaceful way. So, I reiterated that peaceful negotiation should be pursued. My honest comment is that there are things that Japan can do.

6. Question concerning Japan-ROK Relations (Issue of Comfort Women)

Azumi, Freelance: Comfort Women Monument is built in Palisades Park, New Jersey. In Chuo Nippo’s column dated May 4, it is mentioned that Consul General of Japan visited the mayor, and talked about promoting attractive projects such as investment projects, youth exchange, Cherry Blossom Boulevard, then he mentioned his concern on the Comfort Women Statue in the city. The mayor was infuriated and the next day, he held a press conference and disclosed the information about the encounter between the Consul General and the mayor. When I ask a question to you regarding the negotiation with foreign countries, you do not answer saying that it is a diplomatic issue in the process of negotiation. But is this the diplomacy that was done by our country? I think it is too counter-productive. Are you aware of this incidence? If what mentioned in the column is different from the fact, then I think that Ministry of Foreign Affairs should correct it. That article is written in Japanese, and it is readable anytime. I was shocked. What is your view on this?

Minister Gemba: I am not aware of the developments that you referred to.

7. Question concerning TPP

Takahashi, Hokkaido Shimbun: I would like to ask about TPP. Japan Post has decided to postpone their entry into cancer insurance market. Do you believe that it can be a tailwind for Japan to participate in the TPP negotiations, particularly in relation to the U.S.?

Minister Gemba: I think you are referring to the interview by Asahi Shimbun. I wonder whether it is advisable for me to make a further comment regarding the comment by an executive of Japan Post in that interview. What I can say that the consistency with the WTO Agreement must be ensured. My recognition is that the consistency is ensured in the bill. If I remember correctly, there was an additional resolution of the House of Councilors which mentioned that the competition with other private companies must be able to be conducted on level playing field. So, in that general context, what Japan should do is to make absolutely clear that the consistency with the WTO Agreement has been ensured.

8. Question concerning Japan-Australia Relations

Yoshioka, NHK: I would like to ask a question on the Japan-Australia Information Security Agreement which you mentioned in the opening remarks. You said that the scope of the Agreement is a little broader than that of the GSOMIA. In my understanding, the Agreement stipulates that the public safety-related information will be shared. So, I think that the Japan-Australia Information Security Agreement is different from the Agreements with the U.S. or NATO, which are aimed for GSOMIA. Why are you going to have this Agreement with Australia?

Minister Gemba: In a nutshell, if it is secret information, then it should be treated in this equivalent manner. About the technical details, I hope that you will ask it on the day of the signing ceremony or ask an official at the working level. But my understanding is that, we will share information mainly in relation to security issues.

9. Question concerning Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan

Yokota, Mainichi Shimbun: According to some news reports in the evening paper, as a part of the commemorative projects for the 40th anniversary since the return of Okinawa, in the West Futenma Housing Area which was included in the areas eligible for return in the 2 + 2 Joint Statement, cancer treatment facilities will be constructed, or energy cooperation initiative will be carried out. Can you talk about whether or not this is a true report?

Minister Gemba: I have not heard about that. At least, I do not know. I saw West Futenma directly, and actually the houses and the land were not used. Therefore, I think it can be returned soon. , but I do not think there is any concrete idea on how to use the site.

10. Question concerning Domestic Politics (Omitted)

Back to Index