(* 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, July 25, 2012, 2:15 p.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Main topics:
- Deployment of Ospreys in Japan
- The Northern Territories
1. Deployment of Ospreys in Japan
Saito, Kyodo News: Regarding the Ospreys, I would like to once again confirm your views. Minister, up until now in press conferences and in various committees when you talked about the significance of the Ospreys, you repeatedly mentioned the requirements in relation to the security pertaining to the Nansei Shoto Islands. You also talked about the importance of the Ospreys from the standpoint of deterrence. Can you elaborate further on the security requirements in relation to Nansei Shoto Islands? How do you see the security environment pertaining to the Nansei Shoto Islands right now, and why do you believe that the Ospreys are necessary from the perspective? I would appreciate an easy to understand explanation.
Minister Gemba: I have received a question from Mr. Saito with regard to the situation in the Nansei Shoto Islands. The security situation surrounding Japan is severe. This is my basic recognition. We have the problem of North Korea. Concerning China, the development of China provides an opportunity not only for Japan but also for the entire world, but the reality is that its advancement toward oceans has been increasingly remarkable. When it comes to defense and security of Japan, I just mentioned North Korea and China, but I believe there are other issues as well. As you are aware, as for the way our defense capabilities should be, we created the notion of the dynamic defense, and the shift towards Nansei Shoto Islands or southwestern areas is taking place. There should be an issue of having operations as seamless as possible. The Ospreys will be not only about Japan’s defense, but also about Japan-U.S. cooperation. In securing Japan’s security, the replacement of equipment and enhancement of capabilities will contribute to enhancement of deterrence. As I always mention, compared to CH-46E, the Osprey is as twice as fast, has three times more load capacity, and has a four times larger radius of activity. If you use air refueling tankers, the radius of activity will expand even further. I think this fact is significant. In that sense, I believe there is a need in terms of security. However, we have to make the need and safety compatible. So, as part of it, the first meeting of the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee will be held tomorrow. We need to have discussions on this aspect as well at the meeting. The responsible Director-Generals of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense will visit the United States. They will be dispatched to thoroughly discuss the way cooperation between Japan and the United States in terms of security and defense should be. The issue of the Ospreys will be also discussed.
Tanaka, Japan Internet Shimbun: Yesterday in the Upper House Budget Committee, in responding to a Diet member Yamaguchi from Okinawa, Prime Minister Noda mentioned that the helipad which is being constructed in Takae is not based on the premise of operation of the Ospreys. Is there any possibility that the helipad will be used for the Ospreys as a result? What is your comment on it?
Minister Gemba: With regard to the situation pertaining to the helipad in Takae, I am not able to offer an accurate comment at this juncture, so I would like to look into it and respond to you later. I will give you a document later.
Kamide, Freelance: I will not go into details, but if the issue pertaining to the Ospreys goes into the final stage, in light of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, Japan will have to comply with it. In that case, the residents of Okinawa may build the momentum that they want to have the treaty revisited. Should accidents occur, who will take responsibility? There are various potential problems. These issues have been raised in the Diet, but inclusive of all these issues, the current explanation to the Japanese public sounds just like this is simply about convenience of the U.S. Although you also mentioned that it would benefit Japan as well, this kind of problem will not be raised if the U.S. does not insist. Also, it is a matter of whether Japan accepts or not, and not an issue that the Japanese are proactively involved in. Taking into account the exclusively defense-oriented policy, can you talk about these issues in a more straightforward manner? When this conflicts with the issue of security and when the voice of the Okinawa residents are to emerge, are you going to say we have to accept this because of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty?
Minister Gemba: It is a premise under the Treaty of Security between Japan and the U.S. That being the case, in the committee today, various discussions were conducted including whether this can be subjected to prior consultations which was mentioned in the Kishi-Herter exchange note. At this point in time, rather than looking at the system itself, I think it is very important to have substantive consultations. As I responded to Mr. Saito’s question earlier, it is not the case that it is inevitable because the United States is saying so, or there is a need in terms of security of the U.S. This is actually a need for Japan’s security. At the same time, safety needs to be confirmed. Under responsibility of the Japanese Government, Japan should independently confirm the safety. Furthermore, we have to discuss the issue of operation. Also, I have been making further considerations including what else can be done. I still cannot share with you in concrete terms what I am contemplating at the moment, but I have been considering all the time.
2. The Northern Territories
Naka, RIA Novosti: Concerning the minister’s visit Russia, I have two questions. Regarding Russia’s proposal of joint development of the four islands of Kunashiri, Etorofu, Shikotan, and Habomai, Foreign Minister Gemba mentioned, in a press interview by Japanese media in September, that in principle, joint development is feasible as long as it does not harm the legal position of Japan. How does it not present any harm on Japan’s position? And do you have any concrete proposal to make from the Japanese side during your visit to Russia? As my second question, which is more minor, in the upcoming visit, do you have any plan to conclude the Japan-Russia Cultural Cooperation Agreement, in terms of establishment of the cultural center?
Minister Gemba: There were two questions. The first question was about the so-called joint development. My basic position has not changed. It is about what kind of joint economic activities will be possible while our legal position is not harmed. At this juncture, I am not able to offer any concrete comments, but concrete dialogues are being conducted to a certain extent. However, it is not clear whether any achievements will be made in this field during my upcoming visit. With regard to the establishment of a cultural center, this is something we are now trying to finalize, but I basically hope to mention this issue.
Tosa, Asahi Shimbun: Minister, I think your visit to Russia will be the first substantial discussion which you have been talking about, after the signal of “start.” What kind of outcome would you like to achieve?
Minister Gemba: The visit is scheduled for Saturday. I will see former Prime Minister Mori today. I wish to receive various advice from various persons, and we would like to have thorough consideration within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formulate our position. However, Prime Minister Medvedev visited Kunashiri Island the other day, and this was discussed in the Diet Committee today. My basic recognition is that various cooperation between Japan and Russia in various areas would be mutually beneficial if you calmly analyze and evaluate the strategic environment surrounding the two countries. In proceeding with such cooperation, mutual trust relationship is indispensable. Therefore, we have to build such mutual trust between the two countries. Based on that, we will proceed with cooperation between Japan and Russia in various areas. Furthermore, regarding the territorial issue, while it might be the “start” of talks on this subject, we have to create the environment where we will have frequent consultations not only at the working level, but also at the level of foreign ministers and also the leaders of the two countries. I hope that my visit will become the first step of this process.
Yokota, Mainichi Shimbun: Given the press conference of President Putin in March, there are rising expectations of progress to be achieved in terms of the territorial issue in Japan. However, I think the position of Japan and that of Russia are far apart. What is your recognition of the current situation with regard to this territorial issue?
Minister Gemba: The position of Japan is that the attribution of the four islands belongs to Japan. In that regard, I understand that there is a major difference between the positions of the two countries. As I mentioned earlier, without resolution of the territorial issue, there won’t be conclusion of a peace treaty. Therefore, I believe it is the case that it is the biggest issue or bottleneck in advancing cooperation in various areas. Sometimes this is referred to as a negative legacy. Therefore, I hope that my visit to Russia will serve as one step forward with regards to the territorial issue.
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