(* 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, September 12, 2012, 1:30 p.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Opening Remarks
- (1) Visit to Japan by Russian volunteers
Senkaku Islands
Energy policy
Senkaku Islands
Japan-DPRK consultation
Senkaku Islands
Osprey
Japan-Russia relations

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Visit to Japan by Russian volunteers

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: I would like to make one statement at the outset of this press conference. In the Japan-Russia Summit held on the occasion of APEC at Vladivostok, President Putin requested the Japanese side’s cooperation on the visit to Japan by the young volunteers participating in Vladivostok APEC. To this request, Prime Minister Noda stated that we would provide our utmost cooperation. Given this, work based on ordinary procedures has been conducted, and we have completed the visa issuance to all volunteers who will be visiting Japan. The delegation of approximately 500 Russian volunteers is scheduled to enter Yokohama Port on September 13. I hope that all volunteers will have pleasant memories of their visit to Japan this time.

2. Senkaku Islands

Saito, Kyodo News: My question is with regards to the Japan-China relations. The developments in China over the nationalization of the Senkaku Islands are that the supreme leader, government officials, and the media have all stated that this is “illegal” and “invalid,” and asked for an immediate revocation of this decision. I have two questions on this point. First, regarding this China’s demand for a revocation of the nationalization, a decision which has already been made by the Japanese government, are there any possibilities that the decision will be revoked or some kind of measures will be taken to reconsider the decision? That is my first point and at the same time, do you consider these statements and behaviors criticizing Japan and demanding revocation as interference in domestic affairs, an infringement of sovereignty? My second question is, while the Government of Japan has repeatedly stated that the policy for nationalization is “the peaceful and stable management of the islands,” what specifically does this mean? At this point in time, are the islands peacefully and stably managed? If not, what measures should be taken?

Minister Gemba: I would like to respond to the first question raised by Mr. Saito. Needless to say, the Senkaku Islands are clearly an inherent territory of Japan. This is without any doubt in light of historical facts and based upon international law. With regard to our recent action, this is in other words a transfer of the ownership of the islands which were in private ownership to the Government of Japan since 2002 and thus there is absolutely no possibility to reconsider this transfer of ownership, i.e. acquisition and possession. In combination with this, the Japan-China relationship is of great significance. It is considered to be one of the most important bilateral relationships, and therefore, we hope to make the utmost efforts that this recent situation does not exert any impact on the broad relationship between Japan and China.

The definition of “interference” or “interference in domestic affairs” is, in my understanding, the act of coercing obedience and in this sense, I do not believe it corresponds to this definition. But as I mentioned earlier on, China has its own position. But as I also mentioned earlier on, the bilateral relationship between Japan and China is of great significance, and as I also mentioned yesterday, there were the Joint Communique of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People’s Republic of China in 1972, during the term of Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, and also the Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between Japan and The People’s Republic of China in 1978 under Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda. In 1998, I believe under Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, we announced the Japan-China Joint Declaration on Building a Partnership of Friendship and Cooperation for Peace and Development. In 2008, at the time of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, the Joint Statement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Comprehensive Promotion of a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests” was announced. By complying these statements, we will advance and further progress the strategically, mutually beneficial relationship. We will accumulate specific collaborative relationships. There is absolutely no change in this basic position.
In combination with this, the transfer of ownership, the acquisition and possession was indeed done for the peaceful and stable management of the islands, and Mr. Saito, you asked whether the peaceful and stable management of the islands is presently realized, and I basically believe that the Senkaku Islands are peacefully and stably managed.

Murat Han, Turkey News: China is protesting to the Government of Japan on the acquisition of the Senkaku Islands. What would be the Japanese response to this protest. In the Turkish media – I brought various copies of the newspaper articles – there are mountains and mountains of news with regards to this issue, and I would like to ask what the actual situation is and how the Japanese Government will respond.

Minister Gemba: Like I said before––I will not repeat the position of the Government of Japan on Senkaku. In accordance to my previous remarks, both Japan and China should address this issue with a broad perspective and in a calm fashion. Because of the significance of the Japan-China relationship, we hope to maintain close communication in order to avoid any contingencies or misunderstanding. We had communication between both countries’ foreign-policy officials yesterday, and communication is conducted today as well. I believe it is very important that we continue these close communications.

Murat Han: A few years ago, between Turkey and Greece, there was some territorial dispute on the islands, which resulted in a war, causing a lot of panic on the Turkish side as well as on the Greek side. There is no possibility of war?

Minister Gemba: It is my strong conviction that we should not allow the situation to escalate. Furthermore, in order to avoid any escalations, it is of the utmost importance that both Japan and China address the issue in a calm manner and with a broad perspective.

Ono, TV Asahi: Have you been informed of the reports that the Chinese ambassador to Japan may visit your Ministry to express their protest?

Minister Gemba: No, I have not been informed.

Sugimoto, Sankei Shimbun: With regards to the Senkaku Islands, the Japanese Government decided on its nationalization. But with regards to renovation of lighthouse and other facilities, the Government of Japan is adopting a policy not to go ahead. I believe there are requests from the local people and by the Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara for construction of facilities. Firstly, what are the reasons for not conducting construction of such facilities at this point? Secondly, according to some press reporting, Prime Minister, with regard to lighthouse renovations, was forthcoming but Foreign Minister Gemba opposed this, and that is the reason why the Government decided to forego this. Can you confirm the facts involved?

Minister Gemba: I will be repeating myself again. This acquisition and possession of the islands by the Government is for the purpose of realizing peaceful and stable management of the islands over the long term. That was the intention. That is my understanding.

3. Energy policy

Yokota, Mainichi Shimbun: On the energy and environment strategy. The relevant ministers were gathered today—I think you were there, too. Have you conveyed the U.S. concerns, what concerns the U.S. has at this meeting? Also, the concerns by the U.S., are they having any impact on the Japanese Government’s decision?

Minister Gemba: Rather than the concern by the U.S., frankly stating, the review of the energy policy obviously has an impact on the international community. If you would specifically envisage, I think you will understand this. For instance, this is strictly hypothetical, but if nuclear energy is to be reduced to zero, the problem of how to handle plutonium will certainly remain. Not only in relation to Aomori prefecture, there will be the problem of how to manage plutonium if enrichment and reprocessing are to be continued. And also, there will certainly be a question of international non-proliferation and various impacts on the market. So, I think there is a need to sort out these related questions on a one-by-one basis and that indeed is what we are seriously discussing at this point.

Yokota: So, Minister Gemba, you are saying that you do not feel the United States has concerns with regard to Japan’s deliberations on the nuclear power plants and possible future nuclear zero plan?

Minister Gemba: Because this is an energy policy, Japan, as a sovereign state, is in the position to make its own decision. But, on the other hand, it is not just limited to the United States, but there are commitments made to the international community to this day. Our policy must be in consistency with these commitments and the issues must be sorted out. Having said that, I believe that the process of revisiting our various promises and making our final decision on that basis are important.

4. Senkaku Islands

Ohtani, NHK: The purchase of the Senkaku Islands has been decided, and vessels have come to the periphery of the islands and anti-Japanese demonstrations are taking place in various places. The Chinese Government is taking a rather hard-line stance. What are your views on their stance and what kind of stance do you hope for the Chinese Government?

Minister Gemba: In a nutshell, I hope that they take calm-headed and appropriate measures, and in addition to that, we are requesting the Chinese Government to assure the safety of the Japanese citizens in China, and we are also calling for attention to the Japanese citizens residing in China.

5. Japan-DPRK consultation

Yoshida, Nishi Nippon Shimbun: About Japan-DPRK consultations, in my understanding, a Director-General-level consultation was scheduled around September 17. How is the situation, and if there is a delay, what are the reasons for the delay?

Minister Gemba: As you say, yes, that was one plan that we had in terms of timeline. But as for the schedule, we are still in the process of coordinating the date. Today is the 12th so there may be delays, but coordination work is now underway. I cannot give you the reasons for this.

6. Senkaku Islands

Nakai, Kyodo News: With regard to development of facilities at the islands, there are reports saying that the Japanese Government would not build any facilities there. Has this policy been confirmed among the relevant ministers?

Minister Gemba: I think it would be best that this is addressed with one voice from the Chief Cabinet Secretary representing the Government. As I said earlier, it is my understanding that the acquisition and possession of the Senkaku Islands is a transfer of ownership and is for the purpose of peaceful and stable management of the islands.

7. Osprey

Mekaru, Okinawa Times: Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto visited Iwakuni today stating that the timing of full-fledged operation at the Futenma airbase will not make it in time at the beginning of October as initially planned by the U.S., but operation by the end of October is a possibility. Minister Gemba, do you share the same view, and with regards to an overall Japan-U.S. agreement which is the premise for the operations, Minister Morimoto mentioned next week or the week after. What is your take on this?

Minister Gemba: I apologize for repeating myself again. I have always said that the schedule is not fixed at the outset. We need to do this carfully. Since Japan is currently proactively confirming safety, we must explain this in an easy-to-understand fashion. And the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee, which has been held rather frequently, as I said yesterday, has still not been able to obtain sufficient agreement yet, and, therefore, to earn sufficient agreement on low-altitude flights and noise regulation, I hope to maximize all efforts. But efforts will not be sufficient; we need to produce results, and after the results have been produced, we can decide on the date, the schedule.

But when you want to come to an agreement, I think there has to be some kind of a guide. Otherwise, because this is a discussion between the Japanese and the U.S. side, without a guide, it would be rather difficult to come closer to an agreement. And that is why Minister Morimoto shared that sense of schedule. In the end, we need to focus on what results we can earn. But I think a guide is important for us to be able to facilitate our negotiations. In order for us to conclude difficult negotiations, we should use various leverages to put things together, and I think that was the intention behind Minister Morimoto’s statement.

8. Japan-Russia relations

Ando, Hokkaido Shimbun: At an informal press gathering during APEC, Vice-Minister, Foreign Minister and head of state level meetings have been agreed, and the Prime Minister mentioned outlooks for a ministerial meeting in November. Are you informed of this plan? And in your discussion with First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Igor Shuvalov, it was mentioned that a Japan-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Issues meeting is to take place in November. So is there a possibility that a Foreign Ministers’ meeting will take place at the same time?

Minister Gemba: In November, I believe First Deputy Prime Minister Shuvalov is scheduled for November. There may be a Foreign Ministers’ meetings at a multilateral scene, such as the United Nations General Assembly, but frankly speaking, it is still unclear. So, with regard to November, I think he was referring to the meeting with the First Deputy Prime Minister Shuvalov.

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