(* 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, July 20, 2012, 9:12 a.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Main topics:
- Deployment of Ospreys in Japan
- Visit to Russia
- Deployment of Ospreys in Japan
- Visit to Russia
- Regarding the Senkaku Islands
1. Deployment of Ospreys in Japan
Yamaguchi, TV Tokyo: Ospreys are expected to arrive in Iwakuni soon. Even some ruling party law makers are requesting the change of the deployment plan, and local citizens are also becoming more vocal against the deployment. I would like to ask you once again how the Japanese government will deal with this.
Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: I will not comment on the arrival and unloading of the Ospreys since this will be announced by Minister Morimoto. However, as I mentioned earlier, the Ospreys will not be operated in any way, including for test flight purposes, until the safety of the aircraft is confirmed. This is what has been coordinated between the Japanese and U.S. governments. Therefore, the arrival will not impair the safety of local people.
We need to ensure that the safety of the aircraft is solidly confirmed after the aircrafts arrive in Japan. As I always say I always think else can be done to confirm safety since Japan needs to deal with security concerns, and, at the same time, needs to, ensure the safety, which is important above all. In this sense, there has been constant coordination between Japan and the United States.
The ship carrying the Ospreys has already sailed and the aircraft will arrive and land in Japan in line with the coordination between the two countries. However, we need to go through with certain consideration on what we can do to deal with subsequent issues, to dispel safety concern. I do not think it is easy to drastically change our plan in that process though. The safety is the critical issue at the end of the day, and something I always think about.
2. Visit to Russia
Yamaguchi, TV Tokyo: We have seen some reports saying there will be a Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as early as on July 28. What is the current status of planning for this?
Minister Gemba: My visit to Russia is still under consideration, based on various circumstances. I cannot say anything further about this right now.
3. Deployment of Ospreys in Japan
Yokota, Mainichi Shimbun: Regarding the Ospreys, in a TV program yesterday, Minister Morimoto said that the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee would discuss the safety control of Ospreys. Could you comment how the Japanese government is coordinating with the United States on this issue and whether the United States agrees to discuss this issue in the Japan-U.S Joint Committee?
Minister Gemba: I think I have always been consistent on this. I have been consistently thinking about what we can do to ensure the safety and to dispel safety concern as the Ospreys have departed and will arrive in Japan, and safety will also be confirmed. However, it is not that anything has been decided.
Yokota, Mainichi Shimbun: Will the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee discuss this issue?
Minister Gemba: It is not that anything has been decided, including what you asked. However, I have been thinking about what we can do on this issue for quite a long time.
4. Visit to Russia
Ando, Hokkaido Shimbun: Let me pose one more question about your visit to Russia. There are some reports that you are going to meet Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov in Sochi. As I see in the reported itinerary, President Putin also plans to visit Sochi around that time. Is it true that you are also seeking an opportunity to meet President Putin?
Minister Gemba: As I said a while ago, my visit to Russia is still under consideration. If I visit Russia, I believe I will meet Foreign Minister Lavrov naturally. However, I have nothing more to say on this issue as of now since my visit is still under consideration.
5. Regarding the Senkaku Islands
Nakai, Kyodo News: Regarding the Senkaku Islands, some reports say that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is going to request the Japanese Government for permission to land in the territory in the near future. I would like to ask you once again how the move by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to purchase the territory will impact the peaceful and stable maintenance and management of the islands by the Japanese Government. Will this move have some positive aspects or provocative aspects? I would like to ask you how you see this situation. Also, I would like to ask about your view on how the Japanese Government should deal with the landing request submitted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Minister Gemba: I have dealt with this question some times. I do not think I have to repeat the position about the Senkaku Islands since I have mentioned it repeatedly. They are an inherent territory of Japan, without a doubt.
I believe that the peaceful and stable maintenance and management is important. I do not want the circumstances related to the Senkaku Islands to negatively impact the broader aspects of Japan-China relations.
Nakai, Kyodo News: How should the Japanese government deal with the landing request?
Minister Gemba: As I have always been saying, while the intention of the land owner at the time of the submission of the request needs to be considered, the whole Cabinet will make a decision comprehensively by considering the purpose of this land leasing contract and the necessity of the landing.
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