(* 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, September 4, 2012, 11:10 a.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Opening Remarks
- (1) Minister Gemba’s one-year anniversary as Minister for Foreign Affairs
- (2) Attendance at the APEC Ministerial Meeting
APEC Summit and Ministerial Meeting
Japan-North Korea Consultation
Japan-ROK relations
Japan-Russia relations
Execution of this fiscal year’s budget

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Minister Gemba’s one-year anniversary as Minister for Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: As I have just passed my first anniversary as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I would like to say a few words.

At my inaugural press conference one year ago I used the phrase “Military, Food, and Confidence” and stated that I wanted to make every effort for the maximization of national interest. I would now like to look back a little on the efforts made over the past year.

First of all, recently there have been territorial issues. As you all know, for Takeshima, we have made the claim of Japan based on international law fairly and unequivocally, including by submitting a proposal to institute proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). We have just begun to seek the understanding of international society, and we will continue to do so.

In addition, I understand we have responded appropriately to the actions and words of China related to the Senkaku Islands, which are based on its own assertions. Concerning the Northern Territories, as I am always saying, we have worked to advance negotiations with Russia in a calm and constructive environment based on agreements, documents, and the principle of law and justice. Moving forward, I want to continue these efforts.

I spoke of “Military, Food, and Confidence” earlier. In terms of “Military” – in other words, the field of security – we have made every effort toward the deepening of the Japan-U.S. Alliance. I have met with U.S. Secretary of State Clinton seven times. At this year’s 2+2 Meeting in April, I believe we achieved certain results on the realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan. Last year, we improved implementation of the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement regarding Japan jurisdiction over civilian component of the U.S. military, among other matters.

In addition, with neighboring countries, there are fields in which we have steadily strengthened cooperative relations. In particular, we have emphasized the need to construct networks based on international law through the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and other venues. We have also placed great importance on ASEAN. I believe we have made accomplishments in the field of maritime cooperation.

As to China – as I said earlier, there are China’s own assertions concerning the situations of the Senkaku Islands. Based on the Six Initiatives announced during Prime Minister Noda’s visit to China in December of last year, we are working to deepen our mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests. In particular, we have taken the first step forward with the holding of consultations on maritime affairs and with consultations between the maritime authorities of our countries. I think that this progress has been extremely significant.

Concerning the issue of North Korea, I think that we have seen thorough Japan-U.S.-ROK collaboration, and furthermore, cooperation with China and Russia as well. Currently, we are in the process of coordinating a consultation with the Government of North Korea.

Regarding Myanmar, which continues to progress forward with democratization, last December I visited the country, and last April we received the first visit from a President of Myanmar in 28 years. In July, we again had a Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and I communicated our intent to strengthen support such that the people of Myanmar would be able to enjoy the dividends of democratization, national reconciliation, and economic reforms.

Looking at issues within international society, just after I took up this position we decided to dispatch a unit of the Self-Defense Forces to South Sudan. Furthermore, we established guidelines for the overseas transfer of defense equipment, and successfully held the Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan. To speak even further, we are strengthening initiatives in the fields of space and cyberspace as new frontiers.

We also held a Japan-Iran Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (July 8), and we are currently working on Iran for a resolution of the nuclear issue. For the issues related to the Strait of Hormuz too, we are calling on Iran to refrain from provocative actions and language.

And then there is “Food,” which refers to prosperity. I believe that we have started to reverse the trend of the past 15 years in which Official Development Assistance (ODA) has been halved. I want to ensure this reversal of ODA in the formation of the budget for next fiscal year.

We have made progress on strengthening economic partnership. We have just agreed to begin negotiations on a Japan-China-ROK free trade agreement (FTA) within this year. With the EU, we have finished the start of the process toward Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations. As you all know, we are currently moving forward consultations with relevant countries about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). We aim to start negotiations on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in East Asia in November.

For “Confidence,” in other words, issues related to values, we are working to spread “Japanese values” through full-cast diplomacy. Right now, we carried out organizational reform within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and are revising, for instance, the contents of ODA toward ASEAN from that perspective.

In addition, in March, together with the Minister of State for National Policy, I established the Liaison Meeting on Global Communication. I would like to propagate Japanese culture overseas as part of our national strategy, and to continue to take active initiatives toward increasing global understanding of Japanese values.

I will continue to make every effort to maximize the national interest of Japan.

(2) Attendance at the APEC Ministerial Meeting

Minister Gemba: I am scheduled to visit Vladivostok, Russia, from Tuesday, September 4, until Thursday, September 6, in order to attend the 24th APEC Ministerial Meeting.

APEC is the forum where member economies promote open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region and cooperate toward the further prosperity of this region. APEC has been a test of regional economic integration which Japan has been taking the leading on since its inaugurtion.

The APEC Ministerial Meeting that I will attend is a very important chance for direct discussion toward the resolution of shared issues within the region among the foreign and trade ministers of APEC member economies, aiming to establish a system for trade and investment based on open markets in the Asia-Pacific region

The main topics at the meeting this time will be the strengthening of food security, the strengthening of preparedness for emergency situations, support of the multilateral trading system, the liberalization of trade and investment and regional economic integration, the construction of reliable supply chains, and the close cooperation for the promotion of innovation, which are being emphasized by Russia as the meeting’s chair.

I want to contribute actively to the discussion at the meeting together with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Edano so that we can realize concrete achievements toward the regional economic integration and promotion of economic growth, much like the creation of a list of environmental goods which was agreed to by the Leaders during the APEC meeting in Honolulu last year.

2. APEC Summit and Ministerial Meeting

Hanamura, TV Asahi: Will you explain the current arrangement status of bilateral meetings during the APEC Ministerial Meeting?

Minister Gemba: There is only one day when I am planning to hold some meetings; however, not many foreign ministers are on site that day. It seems that many foreign ministers will be accompanying the heads of state, so there will not be many bilateral meetings, although coordination is ongoing. There will be some meetings scheduled.

Hanamura, TV Asahi: Do these include a meeting with the Russian counterpart?

Minister Gemba: It is currently being coordinated.

Hanamura, TV Asahi: Regarding the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting following the Ministerial Meeting, I understand that coordination is underway for a meeting between Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Mr. Hu Jintao, the President of the People's Republic of China. Although it is in a restrained tone, China is still expressing opposition to the survey activities around the Senkaku Islands by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. On the other hand, the Government of Japan is in the final stage of coordination for the nationalization of the islands. If a summit meeting is to be held, what will be the significance of the meeting, and what do you hope for in the meeting?

Minister Gemba: Your question is based on an assumption. I do not know whether the summit meeting will be held or not. I understand that whom Prime Minister Noda will meet with is currently being coordinated. As for the Senkaku Islands, I think you are well aware of the stance of Japan. Based on this stance, I think it is important to communicate closely with China in order to prevent the Senkaku Island issue from impacting the future development and bigger picture of Japan-China relations.

3. Japan-North Korea Consultation

Hanamura, TV Asahi: Regarding the Japan-North Korea Consultation, it has now been a while since the Japan-North Korea Preliminary Consultation was held last week, but will you state your view on this matter again? In addition, this coming September 17 marks the 10th anniversary of the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration. It has been told that during the last Japan-North Korea Preliminary Consultation, both Japan and North Korea made statements bearing this fact in mind. Is there any plan to hold the next high-level meeting by September 17?

Minister Gemba: The recent practical and in-depth exchange of correspondence at the director level was immediately reported to me through telegrams and phone calls, and I was also updated by Mr. Shinsuke Sugiyama, the Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau . We have made progress to a certain level; however, we need to achieve further practical progress. Since the issues to be addressed are of the interest for both Japan and North Korea, it is needless to say that Japan should appropriately and decisively address not only the issue of the remains of the war dead but also from the abduction issue which we place the most importance on, to national security and other issues. As you mentioned, September 17 marks the 10th anniversary of the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, and I think there is a possibility that the date could be one of the benchmark for the next consultation.

4. Japan-ROK relations

Sugimoto, Sankei Shimbun: A question on national security in the context of the past year’s diplomacy. We believe that both you and the Prime Minister have worked tirelessly, placing emphasis on Japan-ROK-U.S. security arrangements, and in particular, have mounted efforts on bilateral relations with the ROK such as the signing of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA). However, the GSOMIA remains unsigned and it appears that as a result of the recent deterioration in Japan-ROK relations, talks in relation to security issues have stagnated. Do you believe that the series of events leading to the deterioration in Japan-ROK relations has affected Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation, or has it impacted Japan-ROK security cooperation? If it has, how do you aim to defuse the situation?

Minister Gemba: Firstly, in relation to the landing on Takeshima, we must take a firm stance. On top of that, it is imperative that we remain calm, the reason being, as Mr. Sugimoto mentioned, that security interests, Japan-U.S.-ROK – and Japan-ROK – cooperation are extremely important. Therefore, even in situations such as this, for instance when addressing DPRK issues, I without a fail ensure that the ROK Government is notified, and directions are given that they are notified in advance. It is issues and occasions such as this that I am referring to when I say we must remain calm. Separating unrelated issues and understanding issues separately is in fact what I believe is the new form of Japan-ROK relations. We will continue our assertions on Takeshima, and thus I believe it is a difficult issue on which to come to terms. That said, even with certain set of circumstances, our necessary cooperation must be unshakable and that is what future Japan-ROK relations should look like. I also believe that we must consider ways to approach the issue so as to have as little impact as possible on relations with the next ROK administration.

5. Japan-Russia relations

Ando, Hokkaido Shimbun: Russia will be hosting the APEC meetings for the first time. You mentioned earlier the possibility of a Japan-China summit meeting, and so we assume you are also preparing a Japan-Russia summit meeting as well. Deepening economic relations with Russia is extremely important and how do you expect such relations to help promote negotiations regarding the Northern Territories issue?

Minister Gemba: First of all, the main focus of this APEC as a whole is green growth, which originally was adopted at the APEC in Yokohama in 2010. As APEC is a framework to promote trade and investment, so to speak, it was decided at the APEC in Hawaii in 2011, which I attended, that the applied tariff rates for the List of Environmental Goods will be reduced to 5% or less by the end of 2015. The List of Environmental Goods will be determined at the coming APEC. For example, the tariff rate for wind power generators or solar heaters will be swiftly reduced, and when tariff rates are reduced in the APEC economies, green growth will be further promoted as a whole, and this will be in the national interest of Japan, too. For this reason, I would like to emphasize this point for the upcoming APEC. Obviously there are other issues such as food security and the overall Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) issue, but I believe it is of the most significance to achieve concrete results on this matter at this APEC meeting which is, in fact, not very easy, since there are still many conflicting views.

Based on this, the meeting will be held in Far East Russia, in Vladivostok this time. As you are well aware, Russia has put enormous efforts on the development of the Far East. As I have discussed during my meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the cooperation between Japan and Russia in the area of Far East development has great potential. In promoting cooperation like these, I would like to point out that President Putin, especially during his first term, has promoted all kinds of economic cooperative initiatives when demarcating various maritime and land borders. Taking this into account, I hope to develop cooperative relations with Russia in various fields, and at the same time make progress on solving the issues, including the most concerned Northern Territories issue, the attribution of the Four Northern Islands, as well as concluding a peace treaty.

6. Execution of this fiscal year’s budget

Matsuura, Yomiuri Shimbun: I would like to ask in relation to budget execution. If the bill that enables the government to issue deficit-covering bonds is not passed in either October or November, how do you perceive this would impact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

Minister Gemba: This in fact is currently being investigated at the moment, and I am yet to hear a report. However I would assume that there will be numerous implications. In particular, since the Official Development Assistance, the ODA accounts for a large percentage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' budget, I cannot discount the possibility of an impact on the ODA, both loan aid and grant aid. As a result, it is possible that it will affect the export of package-type infrastructure, as well as our relationship of trust with recipient countries. It has been reported that the Democratic Party of Japan will decline political party grants for a period of time, but it is my view that the budget and the bill should be passed as a joint package, and that it should be made a customary practice in Japan. I, myself also struggled with this matter last year during my previous position as Policy Research Committee Chair. After holding talks with the opposition parties, I believe that we should establish a custom of passing a budget with the bill as part of the same package.

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