(* 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, August 1, 2012, 2:45 p.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Main topics:
- The Senkaku Islands
- The anti-nuclear demonstrations
1. The Senkaku Islands
Ikeda, Kyodo News: According to some news report regarding the Senkaku Islands, there is an application by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to land on the islands and the central Government is considering of giving approval to it. Could you explain about the facts of the situation?
Minister Gemba: This is something that the Cabinet Secretary should be responding to, but to the extent I am concerned, I am not aware of any facts that have been reported by the press. Will there be submission of request from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government shortly? No, I have never heard of such information. Hypothetically, should the Tokyo Metropolitan Government submit a landing request, then we will examine such requests in light of peaceful and stable management and maintenance of the islands. Various considerations are underway to ensure their peaceful, stable management and maintenance. The central Government has a lease contract, and based upon the objective of the lease contract, we will examine such request and whether such landing is truly necessary. The Cabinet will make the judgment in a comprehensive manner if such a request should be submitted, but to my understanding there is no such fact as reported by the press.
2. The anti-nuclear demonstrations
Kamide, Freelance journalist: This is not directly linked to a diplomatic matter, but yesterday, I asked the same question to Mr. Edano, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, what he thinks about the anti-nuclear opposition which is becoming extensive and strong. Mr. Edano said that a clear demonstration of the will of the Japanese population is good for Japanese democracy. Maybe it is his personal opinion but that is what Mr. Edano mentioned. One possible interpretation is that the Japanese are not inclined to demonstrate or voice their opinions. However, to the international community, could it be a demonstration to the global community that the Japanese could be assertive, that they could oppose? I wonder if you had any comments, about the demonstration or anti-nuclear activities. Thank you.
Minister Gemba: The other day, I read an article that I thought was to the point. Words of a philosopher José Ortega y Gasset were quoted in that article. Aside from whether that expression was superb or not, to give you the conclusion, what I thought by reading his words was as follows: it’s necessary to listen carefully and strain our ears to those voices. Social networking services and new communications media have developed and that has had an impact on the way we demonstrate our will. In the past, demonstrations were organized by mobilizing friends and acquaintances, and this time by nature is different from such conventional type of demonstration. To the question about my impression on the demonstration that had taken place in front of the Prime Minister’s residence, I would like to say I am straining my ears and thinking about it.
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