Top > Announcement > Press Conference by the Press Secretary of MOFA > 10 February 2011

Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 10 February 2011

  1. The Second International Workshop on Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and their Integration in Japan
  2. Meeting between Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yamahana and the Representatives of 10 Countries and One Organization
  3. Certain International Meetings
  4. Statement by the Press Secretary on Measures by Israel on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
  5. Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the Announcement of the Final Result of the Southern Sudan Referendum
  6. Visit to Japan by H.E. Mr. Islam Karimov, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Mrs. Tatyana Karimova
  7. The Foreign Minister's Visit to the Russian Federation
  8. VIP Visits
  9. Questions concerning the Japan-Russia Relationship
  10. Questions concerning the Hague Convention

  1. The Second International Workshop on Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and their Integration in Japan

    2. Deputy Press Secretary Hidenobu Sobashima: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Today I have a number of topics to share with you before inviting your questions. We have distributed papers.

    Mr. Sobashima: The first is the Second International Workshop on Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and their Integration in Japan, co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Sophia University, Shinjuku City and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on 17 February next week.

    As you know, Prime Minister Kan upholds the "Heisei Opening," the third opening of Japan after the Meiji Restoration and the recovery and development after World War Two. Currently however, there may be many challenges faced by foreign nationals living in Japan. Therefore, at the workshop, experts will be invited from the Republic of Korea and Germany to present their experience on their relationship with foreign nationals and the integration of foreigners in their countries. Participants' active contribution in the discussion is encouraged. This is the first topic.

  2. Meeting between Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yamahana and the Representatives of 10 Countries and One Organization

    3. Mr. Sobashima: For your information, yesterday afternoon the ambassadors and representatives of a number of countries and an international organization visited Mr. Yamahana, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, and they discussed the issue of the Hague Convention, the Contention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Mr. Yamahana received the ambassadors and representatives of Australia, Canada, Columbia, France, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the European Union. The representatives explained the issue relating to the parental rights of children, the problems between their respective countries and Japan, and they expressed their expectation that Japan would conclude the Hague Convention at an early occasion.

    Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yamahana stated that we are aware of the seriousness of the issue of parental rights, and as for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is making every possible effort based on the view that we should attach the greatest importance to the welfare of the children in the difficult situation. As for the possibility of concluding the Hague Convention, serious deliberation is currently underway in the Government of Japan.

    Finally, the two sides, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yamahana and the representatives of 11 countries and organization, confirmed that they would continue cooperation for the purpose that appropriate measures be taken from the perspective of the welfare of children.

    This is an oral presentation of what happened yesterday afternoon.

  3. Certain International Meetings

    4. Mr. Sobashima: We have distributed information on the Sixth ASEAN-Japan Counter-Terrorism Dialogue that is underway from yesterday to tomorrow, from 9-11 February in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

    The Third ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Inter-Sessional Meeting (ISM) on Maritime Security, which will be held next week, 15 February in Tokyo.

    The 4th Japan-Pakistan High-Level Economic Policy Dialogue, which is being held today, 10 February, in Japan.

    And on the Dispatch of a Japanese Business Mission to Iraq, which took place on 7 February.

    These pieces of information are available on our website, so I will skip explaining these.

  4. Statement by the Press Secretary on Measures by Israel on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

    5. Mr. Sobashima: As for the statement by the Press Secretary on measures by Israel on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip....

    Japan welcomes the series of economic measures announced recently by Israel. Japan hopes that based on this announcement, measures will be fully and promptly implemented for economic growth as well as for the improvement of the social and living conditions in the Palestinian territories, particularly the Gaza Strip. Japan will pay close attention to any developments surrounding this matter.

    Japan also hopes that these measures will enhance the mutual trust between the Israeli and Palestinian sides, although they are not a substitute for negotiations for Middle East peace. Japan, for its part, calls upon both parties to exert further efforts for the resumption of peace negotiations.

  5. Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the Announcement of the Final Result of the Southern Sudan Referendum

    6. Mr. Sobashima: Then we have the statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan on the announcement of the final result of the Southern Sudan Referendum.

    On Monday, 7 February, the South Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) announced the final result of the Southern Sudan referendum, in which the overwhelming majority voted for the secession of Southern Sudan. Japan sincerely welcomes the fact that the referendum was held in a peaceful manner and that major progress was seen in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). In anticipation of the expiry of the CPA due to be implemented in July of this year, the Northern and Southern Sudan peace process is at a crucial stage. Japan strongly expects that the parties involved in both Northern and Southern Sudan will accept the results of the referendum and smoothly advance negotiations on various issues toward the envisaged secession and independence of Southern Sudan. To this end, Japan will proactively support the efforts of both sides.

  6. Visit to Japan by H.E. Mr. Islam Karimov, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Mrs. Tatyana Karimova

    7. Mr. Sobashima: As for the visit to Japan by H.E. Mr. Islam Karimov, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Mrs. Tatyana Karimova, as you know, yesterday, the President held a summit meeting with Prime Minister Kan. Before that, Foreign Minister Maehara paid a courtesy call on the President. As a result of the summit meeting, a joint statement was issued by the two leaders, and we have distributed the text. As it says, the Prime Minister and the President conducted a future-oriented exchange of opinions on a broad range of issues. As a result, this joint statement was issued. The joint statement covers the strategic importance of the relations between the two countries; cooperation in the field of politics, including the mutual visits of political leaders at various levels; cooperation in the economic field, of course trade and investment relations and others; cooperation in the international arena, and promotion of exchange of people.

  7. The Foreign Minister's Visit to the Russian Federation

    8. Mr. Sobashima: As announced by the Foreign Minister himself in his press conference on Tuesday, 8 February, Foreign Minister Maehara plans to visit the Russian Federation tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, 11-12 February. He plans to have a meeting with his counterpart in the Russian Federation, Foreign Minister Lavrov. And also, he plans to have a meeting of the Japan-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Issues with Mr. Khristenko, Minister of Industry and Trade.

    When the two foreign ministers of Japan and the Russian Federation met in Yokohama last November, they agreed that the two countries should further develop their cooperation in various fields including politics, economy, culture, and cooperation in the international fora.

    Foreign Minister Maehara is looking forward to having the second round of exchanges on the issue of the Northern Territories with his counterpart, and he intends to engage in this discussion based on the basic position of the Government of Japan. Also he looks forward to having discussions with his counterpart and Minister Khristenko on measures to further enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields including economic areas. The Foreign Minister hopes that his visit this time will contribute to the further advancement of the bilateral relationship of the two countries.

    These are the topics.

  8. VIP Visits

    9. Mr. Sobashima: On the information on visits, Ms. Kikuta, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs is on her official visit to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands from 9-12 February.

    I have just mentioned that Foreign Minister Maehara will be visiting the Russian Federation tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.

    Also, State Secretary Matsumoto will be visiting New York from tomorrow 11 February until Sunday, 13 February, to participate in the G4 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, to be held in New York. G4 means Brazil, Germany, India and Japan. In the G4 meeting, the foreign ministers of the four countries will review the situation on the issue of Security Council reform, and they are expected to discuss how to go forward from there.

    This is what I would like to share with you and I invite your questions.

  9. Questions concerning the Japan-Russia Relationship

    10. Q: On the issue of the visit to Russia, it is pretty clear that in the last few days tensions have escalated again with reports of a bullet being sent to the Russian Embassy out here, the Russian flag being [allegedly] dragged, some protests in Moscow – how does the Foreign Minister see the issue to be resolved going ahead? I realize in the past he has said "finding common ground in other areas," but with the tension escalating again, where do you see the resolution going?

    Mr. Sobashima: Thank you. Indeed, there is a gap between the two countries on the issue of the Northern Territories. However, we, the Government of Japan, feel that what is the most important is that, based on the various agreements and the documents that were signed or agreed to between the two countries, both sides should make efforts to, in a calm manner, persistently seek progress on this issue. Therefore, for this purpose, dialogue is important. By the visit of the Minister of Foreign Minister himself to the Russian Federation, at least exchanges will be made. Our side very much hopes that progress will be made also.

    Q: It is about the incident which happened on Monday with the flag near the Russian Embassy – maybe it is not quite right to ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about it, but maybe you can comment – is the Japanese side going to investigate this incident with the Russian flag that was [allegedly] insulted by activists of right wing movements? Is Japan going to investigate this? And is there any law in Japan that restricts such acts? Any law?

    Mr. Sobashima: I'm sorry; I missed the last part of your question, although I understood the earlier part of your question.

    Q: I am not quite good at the Japanese law system, but is there any law in Japan that restricts such acts that are held to insult the symbols of the authority of other states, or the embassies that represent those states in this country? Is there such a law?

    Mr. Sobashima: The short answer to your last question is "yes." We are investigating the issue; however, as far as I am aware, we do not have a conclusion of this investigation on the possible insult on the national flag of the Russian Federation. So my understanding is that we are still investigating the issue, and based on the findings we will take appropriate action.

    Q: Am I right that Japan is now making an investigation into whether this was an act of insulting a flag or not?

    Mr. Sobashima: Yes, the answer to that question is "yes." We are now investigating. But as far as I am aware – I am not aware of the conclusion. My understanding is that we are still gathering information on what actually happened in front of the embassy of the Russian Federation. Based on the conclusion of our investigation, we intend to take appropriate action.

  10. Questions concerning the Hague Convention

    11. Q: I have a question in response to the joint statement that was issued yesterday regarding the Hague Convention-

    Mr. Sobashima: No, as for the Hague Convention, 10 countries and the European Union, their representatives had a meeting with Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yamahana. As far as I understand, there was no such thing as a joint statement after the meeting. The joint statement was from Prime Minister Kan and President Karimov of Uzbekistan.

    Q: No, I mean the joint statement put out by those countries. I am just wondering how much closer Japan is to signing the Hague Convention. What is your response to the statement that was put out by these countries, and how much closer is Japan to signing the actual convention?

    Mr. Sobashima: Thank you. I think I have already explained to you the response made by Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yamahana. He said that the Government of Japan is very seriously considering the possibility of concluding the Convention. At the same time, the basic policy of Japan is to address the issue in view of "the welfare of children first." We attach great importance to the welfare of children. From this perspective we are making serious considerations.

    As you know, I think it was last week, we announced the result of a questionnaire that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conducted for Japanese who have this problem of parental rights. We announced the result of this survey. Various views were expressed. Our basic position is that we attach the greatest importance to the welfare of children. From this perspective, we are very seriously considering the possibility of concluding the Convention.

    Already, at the state secretary level, there was a meeting of concerned ministries, headed by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Fukuyama, and we have had various consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, and other ministries, and also, the Government is having a discussion with the ruling parties. So very serious considerations are underway, and we intend to advance these considerations so that we will be able to reach a conclusion as early as possible.

    Q: When were those meetings held? Was that within the last few weeks?

    Mr. Sobashima: The State-Secretary meeting was held on 25 January.

    Q: Just a follow-up question – there has been pressure from other countries on Japan to join the Hague Convention for years, it sounds like from what you are saying is that there are concrete steps being taken. What has changed? Is it the increasing pressure from other countries? Why take these steps now when there has been pressure for years?

    Mr. Sobashima: Yes. I shouldn't say it's the increasing pressure, but yes, we are having continued discussions with the countries concerned, yes. I said "yes," but I did not repeat what you said.

    No other questions?

    Thank you very much for coming.

Back to Index