Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > February 1, 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, February 1, 2013, 9:35 a.m.
Place: in the Diet

Main topics:

  1. Terrorist attack on Japanese nationals in Algeria
  2. Situation in North Korea
  3. Japan-Russia relations

1. Terrorist attack on Japanese nationals in Algeria

Kikuchi, Nippon Television: Following the abduction of Japanese nationals in Algeria, do you have any updates, or have there been any developments, regarding measures for information collection abroad?

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: As I mentioned at the last press conference, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established three main pillars of foreign policy following the incident in Algeria: we will strengthen measures against international terrorism, support the Sahel, North Africa, Middle East and other regions, and will promote dialogue and exchange with these areas. Under these three pillars and based on the discussions by our response team, it is our policy to take specific measures, and deliberations on these measures are currently undertaken. It will also be important for Japan to enhance alignments with the United States as well as European and other relevant countries. We are currently working on this issue based on this policy. That is our current situation.

2. Situation in North Korea

Kikuchi, Nippon Television: Regarding the nuclear test by North Korea, do you have any updated information?

Minister Kishida: We have been receiving a variety of information on this and are currently monitoring the situation with great concern. That is our present situation.

Kikuchi, Nippon Television: Do you believe preparations for the nuclear test has progressed significantly?

Minister Kishida: We have received varying information. Since this is an issue related to intelligence, I will refrain from commenting any further. At this time, we are monitoring the situation with great concern.

Ohtani, NHK: It has already been almost a week since North Korea announced its plan to conduct nuclear tests. However, no actions have been taken by North Korea yet. Do you believe this is the result of the countries’ diplomatic efforts?

Minister Kishida: The response by North Korea was firstly the statement by the Foreign Ministry denying the Joint Statements of the Six-Party Talks. It also denied further dialogue for nuclear disarmament. Additionally, from the high-level, the National Defense Commission issued a statement referring to nuclear tests. These are highly regrettable, and in response to this situation, Japan must work closely with the U.S., the Republic of Korea, China, Russia, and other relevant countries. We are making every effort to enhance our alignments and communication with these countries.

Under these circumstances, North Korea should firmly execute its obligations stipulated in past United Nations (UN) resolutions and the Joint Statements of the Six-Party Talks, and must refrain from any provocative acts. We must continue to clearly communicate this message to North Korea and North Korea must fully accept it.

3. Japan-Russia relations

Ando, Hokkaido Shimbun: It was announced yesterday that a Japan-Russia vice-ministerial Strategic Dialogue will be held next week, on February 4, and that the Prime Minister will officially visit Russia this year as the first visit by a Japanese Prime Minister in a decade. Preceding the Prime Minister’s visit, a former Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit Russia. What strategic dialogue do you expect during this meeting in preparation for the Prime Minister’s visit and with regard to discussions concerning the Northern Territories?

Minister Kishida: Since this is a strategic dialogue, there will be discussions on a wide range of regional topics, including our bilateral relations, and also the point you have pointed out. That said, because it is a strategic dialogue, I hope for a solid exchange of views on a wide range of topics.

Ando, Hokkaido Shimbun: Specifically, do you believe the agenda of this meeting will cover the schedule of the Prime Minister’s visit to Russia?

Minister Kishida: That sort of topic may be covered in the meeting, but nothing has been decided as of now.

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