Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 24 December 2009

Foreign Minister Okada’s visit to Russia
Fourth Plenary Meeting of the Japan-China Joint History Research Committee
Questions concerning Foreign Minister Okada's visit to Russia
Questions concerning the Japan-China Joint History Research Committee

Foreign Minister Okada’s visit to Russia

Deputy Press Secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura: Good afternoon and welcome.
At the outset, I have two brief announcements.
The first one is Foreign Minister Okada's visit to Russia. Foreign Minister Okada will visit Russia from the 27th (Sunday) through the 28th (Monday). Minister Okada will return to Tokyo on the 29th (Tuesday).
On the evening of the 27th, Mr. Okada will attend the Japan-Russia Intergovernmental Committee concerning Trade and Economy as co-chair with his Russian counterpart, Mr. Khristenko, Minister for Industry and Trade. On Monday the 28th, Minister Okada will meet with Mr. Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs. After the meeting the two Foreign Ministers will hold a joint press occasion. In the afternoon of Monday, Minister Okada will also pay a courtesy call on Mr. Naryshkin, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia.

Fourth Plenary Meeting of the Japan-China Joint History Research Committee

Mr. Kawamura: The second item is about Japan-China history study.
Today at 15:30, there will be the fourth plenary meeting of the Japan-China Joint History Research Committee in Tokyo.
That's all for my statements. I would like to invite your questions.

Questions concerning Foreign Minister Okada's visit to Russia

Q: Did you say that Foreign Minister Okada's visit to Russia that you just mentioned will be for two nights?

Mr. Kawamura: To be absolutely correct, he will leave Moscow on Monday in the evening, and arrive in Tokyo in the morning of Tuesday. It is a night flight from Moscow to Tokyo.

Q: And he will be attending the Japan-Russia Governmental Committee on Trade and Economy?

Mr. Kawamura: Yes, that will be held on the first day, upon his arrival in Moscow.

Q: I believe his main aim is to meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Lavrov, but what will the subject of discussion be, and why has this meeting suddenly been decided, during the Christmas and New Year season.

Mr. Kawamura: Let me start with the last part of your question, "why now, toward the end of the year?" Well, there have been summit meetings between Prime Minister Hatoyama and President Medvedev already twice this year since the inauguration of the new Japanese administration. The two leaders agreed that they will increase the interface, the discussion, on a variety of aspects of Japan-Russia relations, in order to strengthen our relations, because our bilateral relations are precious for the future.
Under that framework the two foreign ministers expected to meet, and therefore both sides were seeking the appropriate timing for meeting, and we have come to an agreement to meet on this occasion. There is no special hidden reason behind the meeting taking place at this time of year.

Q: It is not an emergency meeting.

Mr. Kawamura: No, it should not be construed as an emergency meeting in nature.

Q: I understand the timing issue. So will Prime Minister Hatoyama be visiting Moscow in the near future?

Mr. Kawamura: The visits to Russia by Prime Minister Hatoyama for summit meetings are a separate issue. Having said that the two leaders already agreed to enhance their interface, it would therefore be natural to seek the next opportunity for talks. In addition both leaders were of the opinion that the two foreign ministers should meet to promote Japan-Russia relations.

Questions concerning the Japan-China Joint History Research Committee

Q: When is the Japan-China meeting going to happen? Is it today?

Mr. Kawamura: Yes, today, in Tokyo.

Q: Are there any Ministry of Foreign Affairs participants?

Mr. Kawamura: The committee members of the Japan-China Joint History Research Committee comprise of professors and experts in history. It is not a governmental body.
Let me explain the background of the Japan-China Joint History Research Committee. It was established in 2006. Prior to the establishment of the joint committee there was a Summit Meeting between the Japanese Prime Minister and the Chinese President, and they agreed to set up the joint research committee. Based upon this agreement, in 2006 the Japan-China Joint History Research Committee was inaugurated, and they had the first meeting in the same year. Today's meeting will be the fourth plenary session.
There are some sub-committees on different subjects.

Q: It is a one day meeting?

Mr. Kawamura: I think so, yes. Today, for one day. A one-day meeting.

Q: Do you think now with the new Government administration of the Democratic Party of Japan, the relationship between China and Japan will strengthen further toward good relations between the two countries, because Mr. Ozawa is inclined to have and maintain better relations as compared to the previous Government administration.

Mr. Kawamura: I think I should refrain from comparison with the previous administration in terms of our foreign policy. Having said that, nobody would deny that China is an important partner in international relations and in trade as well. So as in the Prime Minister's general policy speech at the Diet when he initiated his administration, I think it was clear that Japan would explore the way to enhance our relations with Asia, including China, Korea, and others, but at the same time he underlined that the cornerstone of Japanese Foreign Policy is the Japan-US alliance. So it is a kind of a balanced view. We have the second-largest economy in the world, so we have many interfaces with various partners around the globe. We have to seek Asia-Pacific partnership, while at the same time we explore building a solid foundation with the rest of the world.

Q: Do you think that, since this is the first time after 50 years that the Government has changed, and do you believe that the new Government will continue to visit Yasukuni Shrine on a Government-level. Because this is a very important as far as relations between China and Japan are concerned, because the Chinese side has always been complaining about this visit on a Government-level. On the one hand we are having this meeting of the Japan-China Joint History Research Committee...

Mr. Kawamura: If I understand your question correctly, this joint research exercise between Japan and China is a kind of continuous exercise, over several administrations including the previous ones, so I think to jointly study the history is a common agenda for both nations. For your reference, the joint committee has two sub-sessions - one for ancient and medieval history, and another for the recent and contemporary history. Regarding the question of visits to the Yasukuni shrine, I have no comment.
If there are no further questions, I would like to say that this is going to be the last press conference of this year. I wish you all very happy holidays and a happy New Year. I will meet with you again on the 7th of January, 2010.

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