(* 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 30, 2012, 3:22 p.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Opening Remarks
- (1) Request to the Syrian Ambassador to leave Japan
- (2) Negotiations on the Agreement between Japan and India on Social Security
- (3) Visits to Japan by H.E. Mr. Milan Rocen, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro, and H.E. Mr. Hashim Thaci, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo
Question concerning Japan-Russia relations
Question concerning the Situation of Syria
Question concerning Japan-Russia relations
Questions concerning the situation of Syria
Questions concerning the situation of North Korea
Domestic Politics (Omitted)

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Request to the Syrian Ambassador to leave Japan

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: First relates to the request to the Ambassador of Syria to Japan. From May 25 to May 26, in the Houla Region in Homs Governorate in the northwest part of Syria, many civilians, inclusive of children, have been killed. We would like to reiterate our resolute condemnation of such inhuman acts of violence. I think it is clear that the major part of the responsibility for this tragedy lies with the Syrian Government which has not yet implemented the proposal of Mr. Kofi Anan, the Joint Envoy of the League of Arab States and the United Nations.
Japan has taken actions inclusive of economic sanctions to strongly urge the Syrian Government to immediately halt this violence. Also, based on the recognition on the case of the Houla Region, in order to express our protest to the Syrian Government, today, we summoned Ambassador al Habash, the Syrian Ambassador to Japan, and requested that he leave Japan as soon as possible.

(2) Negotiations on the Agreement between Japan and India on Social Security

Minister Gemba: The Government of Japan and the Government of India have reached substantial agreement on the Agreement between Japan and India on Social Security, as a result of the fourth round of intergovernmental negotiations which has been held from May 28 in Tokyo.
With a conclusion of this Agreement, it will be possible to coordinate application regarding public pension systems between Japan and India. For the companies advancing in respective markets, this would mean reduction in the burden on social security payment, that is, avoidance of duplicable payments of social security contribution. We hope that this will promote bilateral economic exchanges and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Both countries will conduct necessary work and coordination such as finalization of the draft of the Agreement, so that early signature of the Agreement is possible.
I think the amount of trade between Japan and India is 1/15 of that of Japan-China trade and 1/5 of that of China-India trade. However, I believe that this Agreement will enhance the potential of Japan-India economic relations, as shown in the First Japan-India Ministerial Economic Dialogue which was held the other day.

(3) Visits to Japan by H.E. Mr. Milan Rocen, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro, and H.E. Mr. Hashim Thaci, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo

Minister Gemba: Next week, in the first half of the week, His Excellency Mr. Milan Rocen, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro, will be visiting Japan. Also, in the second half of the week, His Excellency Mr. Hashim Thaci, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, will be visiting Japan.
I will hold a Foreign Ministers’ meeting with Minister Rocen on June 4. Prime Minister Noda will hold a summit meeting with Prime Minister Thaci on June 8. I will also have a meeting with Prime Minister Thaci on June 7.
Minister Rocen is the first foreign and European integration minister to visit Japan from Montenegro Also, Prime Minister Thaci will be the first prime minister to visit Japan from the Republic of Kosovo. These are two countries which are keys to stability of the southeast region of Europe, and we hope that the visits of these two leaders will enable further development of friendly relations between Japan and Montenegro, and Japan and Kosovo.

2. Question concerning Japan-Russia relations

Noguchi, Nippon Television: My question is about Japan-Russia relations. According to media reports regarding the Northern Territories, in response to an invitation by Russia, a Korean company is planning a wharf construction in a part of the Northern Territories. How will you express the position of the Government of Japan? In relation to this, I think Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister, Mr. Yamane, referred to this on his visit to Russia. What is the report that you received?

Minister Gemba: In one word, it conflicts with the position of Japan. We cannot accept any act which premises the jurisdiction of Russia. We have had necessary communications with the Republic of Korea(ROK) and in relation to Russia, as you pointed out, Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister Yamane and others have conveyed the position of Japan. I would like to say that it is very regrettable.

3. Question concerning the Situation of Syria

Yoshioka, NHK: Question about the situation of Syria. On your press conference on May 18, you had mentioned that what Japan can do is, in addition to humanitarian assistance, making an effort to unify the anti-government forces and working on them. You held a meeting with Dr. Burhan Ghalioun, President of the Syrian National Council on May 10, however, he resigned later. Regarding the request to the Syrian Ambassador to leave Japan, I think it is aligned with Western countries. Beyond working together with Western countries, what does Japan intend to do? What is the level of commitment of Japan regarding Syrian issue?

Minister Gemba: With regard to Mr. Yoshioka’s question to what extent Japan is committed? I think it is necessary to decide what we can do and what we cannot do in a cool-headed manner. Generally speaking, but, in terms of diplomacy, we cannot do anything that goes beyond national capability. Therefore, in realistic terms, we must determine in a very calm manner as to what we can do. On top of that, from the humanitarian perspective, we have extended assistance of 3 million and 5 million dollars.
Yesterday, I discussed the issue of Syria with the foreign minister of Iraq. Last August the Government of Japan already expressed that President Assad should step aside. Therefore, Japan will pursue international cooperation and continue humanitarian assistance. The issue is that the anti-government forces are not united. As you pointed out, the other day, the leader of the anti-government forces visited Japan. But, even after that, things did not go very smoothly. Therefore, I think that the Government of Japan needs to consider how to support efforts of the anti-government forces for the unification.

4. Question concerning Japan-Russia relations

Azumi, Freelance: Going back to the issue of the Northern Territories – about two weeks ago, there was a news report in Russia that Korean and Chinese companies would expand into the Northern Territories. In relation to the report, to the Deputy Prime Minister Okada, I asked what his view was as a former foreign minister. He answered that it is favorable that economic reconstruction will be realized in the Northern Territories. This sounds a bit different from your earlier comment. How should I interpret? Does this mean a disagreement between the Cabinet members?

Minister Gemba: First of all, I do not believe that there is any disagreement between the Cabinet members. As I always say, what is important is to enhance relations of trust between Japan and Russia including at summit level. At the foreign ministerial level, I believe that we have been able to cultivate relations of trust. Therefore, all we have to do is the negotiation for concluding a peace treaty, after the resolution of the territorial issues.
Between Japan and Russia, we have been able to foster a very positive climate. So I hope that they should refrain from activities which will undermine that climate.

5. Questions concerning the situation of Syria

Saito, Kyodo News: I am going back to the question related to Syria. What was the Syrian side’s response to the request to leave Japan? This is question number one.
Question number two. By the request, have you broken off diplomatic ties with the Assad administration?

Minister Gemba: I have not been informed of the Syrian side’s response today. Anyway, the request does not mean severing our diplomatic ties. Also, this is not PNG. It is not a notification of persona non grata. That is not the case, but it is something that should be very seriously construed as policy measures. No matter to what extent we might request to Mr. Assad to step aside, it does not mean that we sever ties with the Syrian Government.

Sugimoto, Sankei Shimbun: Question about Syria – regarding the request to the Syrian Ambassador to leave Japan, as of yesterday of Japan time, the G8 countries except for Russia and Japan decided to expel Syrian Ambassador. As of today, Japan has conveyed the request. I think Japan was lagging behind other G8 countries. Do you think Japan’s coordination with the Western countries is sufficient?

Minister Gemba: I think it only means that there was a very slight time lag. I will refrain from making detailed comments. But, I believe it is not true that we do not have good coordination with the Western countries.
This relates to the previous question by Mr. Yoshioka to a certain extent. Of course the issue of Syria is very important, but the priorities of diplomatic policies will vary country by country. Also, there are differences in terms of the degree of interest. We will make the utmost effort to do what we can do.

6. Questions concerning the situation of North Korea

Higashioka, Asahi Shimbun: Question about North Korea. Recently, it is repeatedly reported that Ambassador Song Il Ho of North Korea, in charge of Japan- North Korea normalization talks, mentioned that North Korea is ready to return the remains of former military personnel from Japan. I think this is a message in a sense to the government of Japan. Regarding Ambassador Song’s comment, what is your reaction? The next question is: Taking this opportunity, is there an idea on the government of Japan to engage in consultation for the resolution of the abduction issue?

Minister Gemba: With regard to the question posed by Mr. Higashioka in relation to the remains of the Japanese and also Ambassador Song Il Ho’s comments or message, concerned parties have made requests to the government on the remains and commemoration. Therefore, the issue of the remains is an important unresolved post-war humanitarian issue.
As I have stated before, we are not having any dialogue with North Korea. We will not have a dialogue right now. We are not making any coordination for the dialogue.
Dialogue with North Korea - again, I have had a consistent position. I believe that we do not need to close the window of opportunity, and there should be appropriate timing and appropriate way. At the end of the day, the position of the Government of Japan is to solve issues in a comprehensive manner inclusive of the issue of abduction, the nuclear issue and the missile issue. So what would be the best path to pursue? This is something which I continue to consider. Also, the launch of the missile, or which they refer to as “satellite,” if North Korea were to show the right decision, inclusive of taking concrete actions toward denuclearization, then we have to respond to that and we are prepared to do so. That message continues to be provided, as you know.

7. Domestic Politics (Omitted)

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