Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > August 31, 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: Friday, August 31, 2012, 8:41 a.m.
Place: Front Entrance Hall, Prime Minister’s Office

Main topics:

  1. Japan-North Korea Preliminary Consultation
  2. Abduction issue
  3. The issue of the Japanese flag being taken from the vehicle of the Japanese Ambassador to China
  4. Japan-North Korea Preliminary Consultation
  5. Senkaku Islands
  6. The issue of the Japanese flag being taken from the vehicle of the Japanese Ambassador to China
  7. Japan-Russia relations

1. Japan-North Korea Preliminary Consultation

Shimizu, Fuji TV: The consultation is still going on today. Do you have a recognition that the consultation has borne any fruit, especially in the discussion on the abduction issue?

Minister Gemba: The consultation is going on right now, so I will refrain from commenting until it ends. In any case, I believe my staff is doing what they are expected to do based on my instructions.

2. Abduction issue

Shimizu, Fuji TV: Some reports say that the Japanese Government has obtained information that Ms. Megumi Yokota remarried sometime in or after 1994 and gave birth to a boy, and that she had been alive at least until 2001. Could you comment on this?

Minister Gemba: We are doing our best to enable all the abductees to come back to Japan as soon as possible based on the assumption that all of them, including Ms. Megumi Yokota, are alive. Of course, we are collecting various information from multiple channels, but we cannot give you detailed information about that. I appreciate your understanding.

3. The issue of the Japanese flag being taken from the vehicle of the Japanese Ambassador to China

Shimizu, Fuji TV: A vehicle carrying Ambassador Niwa was attacked, and a Japanese flag was stolen. There are some reports that the suspects are not going to be indicted. How do you see that kind of treatment?

Minister Gemba: All I know is that all suspects have been identified and that Chinese security authorities are investigating the matter. Whatever the case may be, it is very important to request rigorous investigations and prevent similar incidents, while we work to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens in China.

4. Japan-North Korea Preliminary Consultation

Yokota, Mainichi Shimbun: The consultation was supposed to end yesterday, but it’s been extended until today. Does this mean that we will see some concrete outcomes of the division director-level discussions by the end of today?

Minister Gemba: We cannot predict the outcome of the consultation. I guess the division director-level meeting will be concluded today, but I have not confirmed it. As I told you several times in the past, I just wonder how many meetings we will need to undertake in the future. We need to negotiate persistently so that our position will be understood by North Korea.

5. Senkaku Islands

Lee, Hong Kong Phoenix TV: Some reports say that China made a proposal to Japan that no landing, research or development activities be carried out on the Senkaku Islands. Could you tell us if this is true? If China makes this proposal, how will the Japanese Government react to it?

Minister Gemba: I have not heard anything about what you just mentioned. As a matter of course, Japan and China are in frequent contact through various channels.

6. The issue of the Japanese flag being taken from the vehicle of the Japanese Ambassador to China

Ohtani, NHK: About the Chinese suspects who attacked the car carrying the Japanese Ambassador, it is quite rare that the Japanese Government receives a report from the Chinese side at the timing when no suspects have been detained. How do you see China’s stance?

Minister Gemba: I have received a report that China has identified all the suspects and that Chinese authorities are investigating the matter. In any case, I hope that the investigations will proceed quickly.

7. Japan-Russia relations

Takamatsu, TV Asahi: The APEC meetings are coming soon. Do you expect some kind of role from Mr. Yoshiro Mori, former prime minister, who is a specialist on issues related to Russia?

Minister Gemba: As I have said several times before, we are arranging Mr. Mori’s visit to the country.

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