Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > May 15, 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 15, 2012, 9:58 a.m.
Place: Front Entrance Hall, Prime Minister's Office

Main topics:

  1. Opening Remarks
    • (1) Creation of multiple entrance and exit points in the Northern Territories for free visits
  2. Questions concerning the 40th anniversary of the return of Okinawa to Japan
  3. Questions concerning the Northern Territories issue
  4. Questions concerning Japan-China relations

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Creation of multiple entrance and exit points in the Northern Territories for free visits

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: I have an announcement on the creation of multiple entry and exit points in the Northern Territories for free visits. During the Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in January, I made a request to Foreign Minister Lavrov for the creation of multiple entry and exit points for free visits and visits to graves in the four Northern Islands . We have been consulting with the Russian side on this matter since then.
As a result, on the occasion of the first free visit from tomorrow (May 16), entry and exit procedures can be undertaken offshore of Akiajiba on Suisho Island.
Although this measure is limited to this time only, it is the first step toward the creation of multiple entry and exit points, and thus the Japanese Government welcomes the measure.
With regard to the future visits to graves and free visits, we would like to coordinate with the Russian side to realize the wishes of the Japanese side considering the burden felt by former Japanese residents of the Northern Territories who are now reaching their old age.

2. Questions concerning the 40th anniversary of the return of Okinawa to Japan

Nishikawa, TBS: Today marks the 40th anniversary of the return of Okinawa to Japan. How do you feel about it? There are still various issues that have not been solved even after 40 years, including U.S. military base issues. Could you explain the approach that the Government is going to take on these issues in the future?

Minister Gemba: I think today, May 15, the 40th anniversary of the return of Okinawa to Japan, should be a day on which the whole Japanese nation thinks about Okinawa – its history, the impact of U.S. military bases on it, and its future. I think especially I, myself, should give deep and serious thought to Okinawa today. Following the recent agreement at the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (2+2), I am confident that defense cooperation between Japan and the United States will advance further, and at the same time, as the return of the land south of Kadena makes progress, concrete results will be achieved, visibly and steadily reducing the impact placed on Okinawa. I would like to promote further efforts so that the people of Okinawa can really see the progress.

3. Questions concerning the Northern Territories issue

Takahashi, Hokkaido Shimbun: Regarding the Northern Territories issues, could you tell us your current view? How do you interpret Russia's intention from the fact that they agreed to create an additional entry and exit point on this occasion?

Minister Gemba: The creation of multiple entry and exit points was strongly requested by the former Japanese residents when I visited the Northern Territories. Based on this, I made several requests regarding what we would like to be realized, including this request, to Foreign Minister Lavrov during the Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which lasted for four and a half hours. I think the fact that Russia promptly responded in this manner reflects that they are eager to develop cooperative relations in every field in the same way that Japan is.

At any rate, this is only the first step and we have a long way to go. Nonetheless, I welcome this move itself.

At first, Russia mentioned that there were various issues such as budgeting, but in the end they agreed to implement this measure, even though it is limited to this time only. I would like to exert continuous efforts so that this measure will not end as a one-off event.

4. Questions concerning Japan-China relations

Miyagi, Ryukyu Shimpo: In relation to the collision incident between a Japanese patrol vessels and a Chinese fishing trawler that occurred off the Senkaku Islands, I think that the deadline for compulsory prosecution by the Naha Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution will expire at midnight on the 16th. I do not think that Japan has been able to gain the cooperation of the Chinese side at this point. I believe that if the deadline passes, the appeal will be dismissed. I would like to know whether the government has the intention of requesting the Chinese side to cooperate on this matter. If the deadline passes in this way and the appeal is dismissed, Japan will face a situation where it will not be able to prosecute unless it can gain the cooperation of the Chinese side, regardless of the nature of the incident.

Minister Gemba: I am afraid that I will have to look into that.

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