Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > July 24, 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, July 24, 2012, 8:35 a.m.
Place: In the Diet

Main topics:

  1. Opening Remarks
    • (1) Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba to Russia
  2. The deployment of Osprey helicopters to Japan
  3. The visit to Russia
  4. The deployment of Ospreys to Japan
  5. Reports that Mr. Uichiro Niwa, Japanese Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, will be replaced

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba to Russia

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: If circumstances allow, I will visit Sochi, Russia, on July 28 (Sat.). Preparations are in progress toward holding of a Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

2. The deployment of Osprey helicopters to Japan

Hasegawa, Fuji TV: The Ospreys arrived and landed at the Iwakuni base yesterday. The landing of the Ospreys was carried out in the midst of strong criticism from local people and others. First, please tell us how you take this situation.

Minister Gemba: The Ospreys will not be flown until the safety of the aircraft can be confirmed. This is the first point. To this end, as I have been mentioning repeatedly, Japan and the U.S. have made various coordination efforts, and I would like to consider specifically what can be done in the future.

Hasegawa, Fuji TV: Regarding what you just mentioned, and have been mentioning, about what can be done in the future, some say that the Japan–U.S. Joint Committee will be utilized as the framework for consultations with the U.S. side. Are you coordinating with the U.S. side in such a course?

Minister Gemba: We are making various coordination efforts, and as part of these efforts, I would like to see the first Japan–U.S. Joint Committee meeting will be held the day after tomorrow. I do not think that what I have been stating has changed, but after all, it is important to strike a suitable balance between safety and security on this issue, and at the same time, the Ospreys should not be flown until its safety will be confirmed. I think this is important, and I have been considering for a long time what can be done specifically to this end. I have always believed that the Japan–U.S. Joint Committee is one option, and therefore, this time – although we had already offered to hold the meeting – we decided to hold the first meeting the day after tomorrow.

Hasegawa, Fuji TV: At the meeting – whether it be the meeting to be held the day after tomorrow or a future meeting – are you going to request a change of Ospreys’ flight routes at the time of their official operation at Futenma,?

Minister Gemba: This is going to be the first meeting, and what you questioned now cannot be dealt with just in one meeting. However, I do think that setting adequate operation rules is an important point in considering the safety issue.

Yokota, Mainichi Shimbun: The first meeting will be held the day after tomorrow. If a certain conclusion or certain rules should be established, by when do you think it is desirable to achieve these? Are you of the opinion that you would like to reach a certain conclusion before the official deployment in Futenma starts regularly?

Minister Gemba: Of course, the earlier the more desirable. However, in any event, the Ospreys would not be flown until its safety can be confirmed. As part of efforts to this end, I would like to carefully carry out the things I just mentioned.

3. The visit to Russia

Ando, Hokkaido Shimbun: Recently, Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev visited Kunashiri Island. How are you going to address this issue to the Government of Russia during your visit?

Minister Gemba: As you know, the visit to Kunashiri Island by Prime Minister of Russia Medvedev contradicts the stance of Japan. We have expressed our strong regret on his visit, and I think it is inevitable to discuss this issue. I would like to make a careful decision on how I am going to touch this issue.

Ando, Hokkaido Shimbun: I understand that a summit meeting and negotiations regarding the Northern Territories issue will follow your visit to Russia, from next month onwards. In preparation for this future, what are you going to discuss with the Government of Russia at the meeting this time?

Minister Gemba: We are still at an early stage, so I would like to refrain from commenting at this stage.

Ando, Hokkaido Shimbun: Do you think you have a chance to meet President Vladimir Putin?

Minister Gemba: There will be a Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, with Minister Sergey Lavrov. We are currently coordinating meetings with other senior officials.

4. The deployment of Ospreys to Japan

Yamamoto, Chugoku Shimbun: Regarding the issue of Ospreys, Mr. Sekinari Nii, the Governor of Yamaguchi Prefecture, mentioned yesterday that if the Ospreys are stationed in Iwakuni Base for a prolonged period of time, he may change his stance regarding the cooperation to the realignment of the U.S. Forces in Japan, including the relocation of carrier-based aircraft from Atsugi Base. Could you tell us your view on this matter?

Minister Gemba: I have heard about the Governor’s comment only through media reports, so I do not know the details. I would like to accurately understand his comment first before I make any comment.

Yamamoto, Chugoku Shimbun: Am I right in thinking that you would like to meet the Governor to ask about his real intentions?

Minister Gemba: I suppose I may have such an opportunity. If I make comments based on only the headlines of media reports, it could cause misunderstanding. I need to fully understand the comment by the Governor, by myself, first.

Yamamoto, Chugoku Shimbun: Are you not concerned that if the backlash from the people of Iwakuni City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, including the governor, continues for a long period of time, it could cause negative impacts on the defense policy itself?

Minister Gemba: Yes, of course I am concerned about that. Therefore, as I have mentioned from time to time, it is necessary to ensure both safety and security. Obviously, there are requirements for security. As it is often discussed or explained, deterrence will be enhanced. There are requirements for security in the Nansei Shoto (Southwestern Islands) region. The CH-46E helicopters are very old. They were introduced 50 years ago.

　On the other hand, safety is a more important issue, and therefore, it is necessary to ensure both safety and security. For this reason, as I have mentioned from time to time, we have been considering specific actions to dispel safety concerns. As part of this effort, we have decided to hold a Japan-U.S. Joint Committee meeting.

5. Reports that Mr. Uichiro Niwa, Japanese Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, will be replaced

Tosa, Asahi Shimbun: According to some media reports, the Government of Japan is currently coordinating to replace Mr. Uichiro Niwa, Japanese Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, after the Diet session ends in September. Could you tell us if this is true?

Minister Gemba: As a principle, I do not comment on personnel issues. Regarding your question, we have not fixed anything yet.

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