Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > January 25, 2013

(* 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 Fumio Kishida

Date: Friday, January 25, 2013, 0:12 a.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

  1. Opening Remarks
    • (1) Abduction of Japanese nationals in Algeria
    • (2) The Prime Minister’s instructions on global warming countermeasures
  2. Abduction of Japanese nationals in Algeria
  3. Japan-China relations
  4. Abduction of Japanese nationals in Algeria
  5. Looking back on the past month as the Minister for Foreign Affairs
  6. Abduction of Japanese nationals in Algeria

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Abduction of Japanese nationals in Algeria

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: Concerning the abduction of Japanese nationals in Algeria, today at 6:48 a.m., the government aircraft carrying seven Japanese citizens and the bodies of the nine victims arrived at Haneda Airport. I received them at the airport, where we observed a moment of silence and paid a floral tribute for the deceased. A feeling of intense anger and grief was anew at the great number of precious lives lost in this incident.

Regarding the additional victim confirmed yesterday evening, the body will be flown by a civil aircraft and is expected to arrive at Narita Airport by tomorrow afternoon, on the 26th.

In addition, a moment ago, at the seventh meeting of the governmental emergency headquarters, Prime Minister Abe gave instructions that the Government verify the facts of this incident and undertake swift deliberations on the necessary response in a unified manner.

Having received these instructions, within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have established a response team, which I lead to strengthen safety measures for Japanese companies and citizens overseas and have began works. These works will include necessary hearings from experts on future measures based on the backgrounds of this incident, as well as the local response to the incident, the response in Tokyo, the response of relevant diplomatic missions overseas, and the response of other countries. These works will be done as early as possible. We also hope to move forward with this in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office.

In parallel with these efforts, as a way of taking each possible measure promptly, in the wake of this incident, we will take the following measures for the foreseeable future.

First, related to risk information for each region, including the Middle East and Africa, we have just recently updated our information on Algeria and the surrounding countries, including Mali, Libya, Niger, and Mauritania. We will further scrutinize the information and continue to update it as needed.

Second, I have instructed that relevant diplomatic missions to hold public-private safety countermeasure conferences at an early date and report the results to the head office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Based on this, and in parallel with the works by the response team, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will specify the challenges about safety measures which should be dealt urgently, and will address them in a swift manner.

(2) The Prime Minister’s instructions on global warming countermeasures

Minister Kishida: During the meeting of the Headquarters for Japan's Economic Revival this morning, the Prime Minister gave instructions to review the conditional target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by the 19th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP19) to be held in November this year. He also instructed that an aggressive climate change diplomacy strategy be formulated toward the contribution of Japanese technology to the world.

2. Abduction of Japanese nationals in Algeria

Ohtani, NHK: I would like to once again ask what sorts of specific interactions you had with the survivors you met at Haneda Airport this morning, and whether you plan to meet the families of the victims. I would also like to ask when Mr. Minoru Kiuchi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, will depart Algeria, as he is expected to arrive in Japan tomorrow afternoon.

Minister Kishida: Regarding your first question, I had the opportunity to meet with the survivors this morning at Haneda Airport. I offered words of consolation, and I recall they lightly nodded in return and told me “thank you.” Those were the exchanges. On your question on further schedules and whether I will meet with the families of the deceased, I will closely work with and carefully consider it with JGC. With regard to the departure schedule of Parliamentary Vice-Minister Minoru Kiuchi, we are currently considering his flight. Arrangements are being made for a flight arriving in Japan tomorrow afternoon, but I have not received the final information on his departure schedule.

3. Japan-China relations

Nikaido, Asahi Shimbun: I would like to ask about the visit to China by Mr. Natsuo Yamaguchi, Chief Representative of New Komeito. On meeting Mr. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chief Representative Yamaguchi mentioned that he hoped to open the door to a Japan-China summit meeting. What is the stance of the Japanese Government on this? Also, during his meeting yesterday with Dr. Wang Jiarui, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Dr. Wang claimed the shelving of the issue of the Senkaku Islands. What is your take on his statement as the minister?

Minister Kishida: When Mr. Yamaguchi visited China, he met with the Chinese side. I understand that both sides reconfirmed the significance of Japan-China relations and the political intention of working to improve the relations through their discussions. I am aware of news reports on a prospective meeting between the leaders of our two countries, but I think we need to further work on this issue.

Regarding your question on the meeting with Minister Wang Jiarui, I have heard that Minister Wang stated what you pointed out, but I have also heard that Mr. Yamaguchi did not agree with him. The stance shared by Mr. Yamaguchi and the ruling party of the Japanese Government has been clearly stated. This is my recognition.

Saito, Kyodo News: May I ask if it is the basic stance of the Japanese Government that it would be better to conduct high-level exchanges with China, such as those between dignitaries, leaders, and foreign ministers in spite of the current situation? Or does Japan plan to wait for a better time since an appropriate environment is not in place for this? What do you think?

Minister Kishida: Although Japan-China relations are certainly going through a difficult phase right now, I believe it is beneficial for both countries to interact and communicate at various levels, including the political level. I plan to work on improving Japan-China relations based on this policy.

4. Abduction of Japanese nationals in Algeria

Sugimoto, Sankei Shimbun: Will you explain the instructions you gave in relation to the incident in Algeria? First, you mentioned that you will continue to update warnings and alert information. Have you elevated any alerts today? Second, you have given instructions for Japanese diplomatic missions abroad to hold public-private safety countermeasure conferences. How many Japanese diplomatic missions are subject to your instruction and what are they specifically instructed to consider?

Minister Kishida: I will confirm and report back the number and other detailed information later since I do not have the materials on this with me right now. I will get back to you with that information.

5. Looking back on the past month as the Minister for Foreign Affairs

Okada, Chugoku Shimbun: It will be almost a month tomorrow since you were appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will you share with us your views on your accomplishments in the past month and future challenges?

Minister Kishida: I have faced many incidents and events during the past month. I have also visited such countries as ASEAN member states, Australia, and the United States. I have once again come to clearly recognize the difficult situations in the Asia Pacific region and in the international community in general. Given such situations, I feel again acutely aware of the important responsibility of Japanese diplomacy in protecting our national interests and ensuring regional safety and stability. I am fully committed to making further efforts to fully exert my responsibilities in these conditions.

6. Abduction of Japanese nationals in Algeria

Matsumoto, Jiji Press: I would like to ask about the instructions you gave to establish a response team and other initiatives. First, are these initiatives based on the recognition that there have been problems with the past initiatives implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Japanese Government, or that the past initiatives have been insufficient to protect Japanese nationals abroad? Second, as you have mentioned to work as early as possible, what will be the estimated schedule for summarizing various views and results?

Minister Kishida: Regarding your first question, in the recent incident, the entire Japanese Government closely communicated with relevant local parties and stakeholders in relevant countries, and made maximum efforts at collecting information. However, I believe that in our measures there are some areas that could be improved. We are required to continually rework our risk management structure. As the global situation continues changing, we must be able to respond to these changes. We plan to work on future measures based on this understanding.

As for the schedule, we plan to expedite our work. The Prime Minister’s Office will also establish a committee to discuss this issue. We will proceed with the operations of our response team in line with the discussions held by that committee. In the end, the entire Japanese Government will complete the verification and consideration process, and share the outlook for completion.

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