Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > May 11, 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, May 11, 2012, 9:55 a.m.
Place: In front of Minister's Reception Room

Main topics:

  1. Questions concerning the Japan-China-Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit
  2. Questions concerning Japan-Russia Relations
  3. Questions concerning the Deployment of Osprey Helicopters in Okinawa

1. Questions concerning the Japan-China-Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit

Nishikawa, TBS: The Japan-China-Republic of Korea (ROK) Trilateral Summit is going to be held in this weekend. Could you once again explain what your objective is for this summit? We also hear some rumor that the three countries will make a joint statement on starting trilateral FTA negotiations by the end of this year.  How do you recognize this rumor in relation to the fact?

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: The first objective is signing an investment agreement. This is actually quite important. Especially, the inclusion of certain ban on demanding disclosure or transfer of technology is significant, since this is an issue that has been a big headache for Japanese companies. Introduction of Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) is another point, which not only works for inviting South Korean and Chinese investment to Japan, but is also effective for Japanese companies making investments in China or South Korea. So signing this investment agreement is an important objective of this summit.
I also hope that the commencement of the FTA negotiations by the end of this year is decided. Hopefully, the investment agreement this time will move us forward to the next step. From a broad perspective, I believe that it is appropriate if we can start the negotiations by the end of this year.
Furthermore, it is important to communicate closely and share our views on various issues including North Korea.

Yokota, Mainichi Shimbun: What is the reason you think it is appropriate for the three countries to start the negotiations by the end of the year?

Minister Gemba: As I am always saying, there is a large context under which we decide when to start and when to conclude on individual economic partnership. What I am talking about is bilateral, trilateral, and multilateral arrangements, not limited to a single economic partnership. In that sense, I think it is appropriate for Japan, China, and Korea to start the negotiations by the end of the year.

2. Questions concerning Japan-Russia Relations

Tosa, Asahi Shimbun: President Putin stated that he will not participate in the G8 Summit. I would like to ask you how you take the news and whether this has any impact on Japan since Prime Minister Noda originally planned to have a summit meeting with him, taking this opportunity.

Minister Gemba: I know that President Putin will not attend the G8 Summit. We will continue to cooperate with Russia in every area. Japan also needs to resolve our greatest issue, which is that concerning the Northern territories, and sign a peace treaty with Russia. To resolve this biggest issue, a trust between the two leaders is indispensable. It requires us to have several summit-level dialogues. In that sense, I may say I was a little disappointed by losing the opportunity through the upcoming G8 Summit. However, there are many other opportunities available such as the G20 meeting, enabling us to create a trust-based relationship between the leaders of the two countries. This cannot be achieved by just one-time meeting. I myself have observed that it is necessary for us to set up ample amount of time to discuss issues in details. I hope we will be able to set up another opportunity for this purpose. I think Prime Minister Noda can set up a teleconference with President Putin.

3. Questions concerning the Deployment of Osprey Helicopters in Okinawa

Yokota Mainichi Shimbun: Some reports say that Osprey aircraft will be deployed at a U.S. base in Naha in mid-July. Let me confirm if this is true. An Osprey accidentally crashed in Morocco. Do you think it is necessary to explain the facts related to the incident including its reason before the Ospreys are deployed in Japan?

Minister Gemba: We do need to explain the deployment of the Ospreys to the people of Okinawa. In particular, the Ministry of Defense will take leadership on this issue. I imagine that Minister Tanaka is talking with Secretary Panetta on the phone to receive a briefing on the incident. As of now, however, Japan has not officially informed when and how the Ospreys will be deployed to Japan. So I cannot tell anything about this. It is an operational issue of U.S. Forces.
We need to explain this issue to our citizens. So it will be important for us to ask the United States about this issue and disclose the appropriate information.

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