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

Press Conference by the Assistant Press Secretary, 10 March 2011

  1. Courtesy call on Foreign Minister Matsumoto by US Assistant Secretaries Campbell and Gregson
  2. Japan-US Security Subcommittee meeting
  3. Telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Matsumoto and Foreign and Trade Minister of the Republic of Korea Kim Sung-hwan
  4. Press conference by Foreign Minister Matsumoto
  5. Japanese assistance to Afghanistan
  6. Japanese measures with respect to Libya
  7. Questions concerning Acting Foreign Minister Edano
  8. Question concerning the telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Matsumoto and Foreign and Trade Minister of the Republic of Korea Kim Sung-hwan
  9. Question concerning the foreign policy of Foreign Minister Matsumoto
  10. Question concerning the Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting
  11. Question concerning the relocation of Futenma Air Station
  12. Question concerning Chinese military spending
  13. Question concerning the Japan-US Alliance
  14. Question concerning North Korea
  15. Question concerning the uprisings in the Middle East
  16. Follow-up question concerning North Korea

  1. Courtesy call on Foreign Minister Matsumoto by US Assistant Secretaries Campbell and Gregson

    2. Mr. Matsunaga: The first is about this morning's courtesy call by Assistant Secretaries Campbell and Gregson on Foreign Minister Matsumoto.

    Today starting from 9:25, for around 45 minutes, Foreign Minister Matsumoto received a courtesy call from Dr. Kurt Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State, and Mr. Wallace Gregson, Assistant Secretary for Defense, and others. Foreign Minister Matsumoto stated that the Japan-US Alliance is the cornerstone of Japan's diplomacy and in this regard, the succession of Japan's Foreign Minister from Mr. Maehara to Mr. Matsumoto would not affect the relationship in the slightest way. Mr. Matsumoto further stated that he would like to accelerate the preparation to deepen the alliance, based upon the three pillars of security, economy, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, towards Prime Minister Kan's visit to the United States in the first half of this year, and would work out a good vision of the Japan-US Alliance of the 21st Century.

    Assistant Secretaries Campbell and Gregson conveyed their felicitations for Mr. Matsumoto's appointment as Foreign Minister and wished to undertake further and closer cooperation in the future.

    On the recent reports with respect to the statements attributed to Mr. Kevin Maher, the Director of the State Department's Office of Japan Affairs, Assistant Secretary Campbell conveyed his deep regrets about the statements attributed to Mr. Maher, on behalf of himself as well as the US government and apologized, explaining that these reported statements in no way reflected the warm sense of gratitude and friendship of the US government toward the Okinawan people. Dr. Campbell also stated that Ambassador Roos would visit Okinawa in order to apologize on this matter and informed Foreign Minister Matsumoto that measures had been taken to replace the Director of the Office of Japan Affairs at the State Department.

    In response, Foreign Minister Matsumoto stated that, if the reported statements were authentic, they would harm the sentiments of not only the people of Okinawa, but also the Japanese people as a whole, and were unacceptable and extremely regrettable. Having said that, Foreign Minister Matsumoto continued that he considered the speedy and appropriate actions, such as the present apologies by the US government, Ambassador Roos's visit to Okinawa today, and the replacement of the Director of the Office Japan Affairs, to be the manifestation of the importance the US government places on US-Japan relations.

    On the security cooperation between Japan and the United States, which is the lynchpin of the bilateral alliance, they confirmed that both countries would advance concrete collaboration in a wide range of areas. They also confirmed that, with respect to the realignment of the US forces, including the relocation of Futenma Air Station and the lessening of the burden of Okinawa, they would work them out in the line with the Japan-US agreements of May last year. That is the outline of the courtesy call of the Assistant Secretaries upon Foreign Minister Matsumoto.

  2. Japan-US Security Subcommittee meeting

    3. In that connection I would also like to refer to the Japan-US Security Subcommittee Meeting to be convened today. Today, the Japan-US Security Subcommittee Meeting is convened at the Ministry of Defense. From the Japanese side, Mr. Kazuyoshi Umemoto, Director-General for the North American Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Nobushige Takamizawa, Director-General for the Bureau of Defense Policy of the Ministry of Defense will attend the meeting. From the US side, Dr. Kurt Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State, and Mr. Wallace Gregson, Assistant Secretary of Defense will attend the meeting. In the meeting, deepening the Japan-US Alliance in the area of security, as well as realignment of US forces in Japan etc. will be discussed.

  3. Telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Matsumoto and Foreign and Trade Minister of the Republic of Korea Kim Sung-hwan

    4. Mr. Matsunaga: Next I would also like to refer to another event that took place this morning. This morning starting from 8:45, for around 15 minutes, Foreign Minister Matsumoto had a telephone conversation with his South Korean counterpart, Foreign and Trade Minister Kim Sung-hwan, on the occasion of Mr. Matsumoto’s appointment as Foreign Minister.

    Foreign Minister Matsumoto stated that he regarded the Republic of Korea (ROK) as a most important neighbor, and that he had taken over from former Foreign Minister Maehara in this regard. Foreign Minister Matsumoto further stated that he would like to cooperate with Minister Kim, in order to further strengthen Japan-ROK relations. He stated he would like to meet with Minister Kim frequently and establish personal trust, and that he was looking forward to meeting with Minister in Kyoto, on the occasion of the Japan-China-ROK trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, scheduled on 19 and 20 March.

    In response, Foreign and Trade Minister Kim Sung-hwan expressed his felicitations for the appointment of Foreign Minister Matsumoto and his willingness to meet with Minister Matsumoto frequently, with a view to cooperating for the strengthening of the bilateral relations between the two countries.

  4. Press conference by Foreign Minister Matsumoto

    5. Mr. Matsunaga: Next I would like to talk about the event that took place late last evening that concerns the very first press conference convened by the newly appointed Foreign Minister Matsumoto. The outline of the conference has already been reported in the media, but for the sake of convenience I would like to briefly touch on the outlines of what Foreign Minister Matsumoto stated at the outset of the press conference.

    In his opening statement he stated that in the present fluid situation in the international community, there is so much to be done with respect to diplomatic issues, not to mention the current situation in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the situation in North Korea. In order to realize Japan's national interests, he would steadily address the issues in front of him, as the top diplomat of Japan.

    As for the forthcoming diplomatic calendar, Foreign Minister Matsumoto mentioned his scheduled visit to the United Kingdom, and his attendance at the G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Furthermore, on 19 March, as I touched upon earlier, a Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting will be convened. He will first of all endeavor to have the Diet's understanding to visit the UK, and attend the G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. He will deal with these diplomatic events firmly, demonstrating Japan's foreign policy he said.

    Regarding his diplomatic policy, Foreign Minister Matsumoto mentioned that after the change of Government to the administration under the Democratic Party of Japan, former Foreign Minister Okada launched various new initiatives, which were succeeded by former Foreign Minister Maehara to get them on track, while Foreign Minister Matsumoto himself had supported Mr. Maehara as a State Secretary for Foreign Affairs. He noted he had nothing to mention with respect to the decision made by Mr. Maehara as a statesman. But, as a former member of former Foreign Minister Maehara's team, he regretted his resignation, adding that he believed that it was his responsibility to get those things that had been promoted by Foreign Minister Maehara, further off the ground. In that regard Foreign Minister Matsumoto emphasized that he would further promote the deepening of the US-Japan Alliance, and economic diplomacy.

    Ensuring the safety and prosperity of Japan and Japanese nationals is the most important responsibility for the Government, Mr. Matsumoto emphasized, adding that he would like to endeavor to deepen the Japan-US Alliance, in a manner commensurate with the situation of the 21st Century. He would work closely with the United States in close partnership to prepare for the Prime Minister's visit to the United States, scheduled in the first half of this year.

    Based on the solid alliance with the United States, he would promote cooperative relations with neighboring countries in the area, China, the ROK and Russia and tackle various pending issues, he said. Regarding the DPRK issues, he would do his utmost towards a comprehensive resolution of various pending issues such as abduction, nuclear, as well as missile issues.

    He would promote cooperation with countries in the region, such as ASEAN countries, Australia and India, and at the same time, develop an open network in a multi-layered way, making use of regional frameworks such as APEC, the East Asian Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

    On the economic diplomacy, he wished to produce as many concrete outcomes as possible, referring to Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), or issues related to multi-lateral free trade, in a befitting manner for the first year of the Heisei Opening. Also he would advance the international promotion of Japanese infrastructure systems and secure a stable supply of natural resources, energy and food.

    Furthermore, he will actively deal with issues in the international community such as climate change, and nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. In addition he would continue assistance for such countries as Afghanistan in an active manner.

  5. Japanese assistance to Afghanistan

    6. Mr. Matsunaga: This brings me to my next topic that concerns Japan's assistance to Afghanistan. Yesterday, in Kabul the Ambassador of Japan, Mr. Takahashi, and Dr. Zalmai Rassoul, who is the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, exchanged letters of the grant assistance of 3.836 billion yen (about 46.5 million US dollars) which consists of a non-project grant assistance of 2.8 billion yen, and an equipment provision scheme for the Balkh Province Hospital of 1.036 billion yen.

    The non-project grant assistance provides financial resources to procure diesel goods and other necessary fuels, in order to alleviate Afghanistan's difficult economic situation. This assistance is expected to contribute to stabilizing the internal situation of Afghanistan, as well as its reconstruction and development. Afghanistan is in the process of national reconstruction. With its huge current deficit and public debt, the country is short of national revenue necessary to implement development projects and cover its administrative costs, and therefore requires donors' assistance to run the country. The recovery and the development of Afghanistan is an issue attracting the extremely keen interests of the international community in the context of the fight against terrorism, as well is in relation to the stability of the Middle East, where an unstable situation continues.

    The equipment provision scheme for Balkh Province Hospital, by providing medical equipment, is expected to improve the hospital's services for medical diagnosis and treatment for about 350 thousand of the population of Mazari Sharif and about 1.2 million of the population of Balkh Province, and strengthen the appropriate referral and patient transportation system for about 6 million people in Balkh Province and its vicinity. Due to the effect of the prolonged civil war, Afghanistan's infrastructure for health and medical services is very fragile and its average age, infant mortality and maternal mortality are among the worst in the world, and there still remain many areas where medical and health services are not available.

    In connection with this grant assistance I would like to give you a broader picture of Japanese assistance towards Afghanistan. Since September 2001, Japan has provided assistance worth 2.41 billion US dollars and in addition, in November 2009, the Japanese government announced additional assistance towards Afghanistan for around five years up to 5 billion US dollars. So this assistance can be viewed in that broader context.

  6. Japanese measures with respect to Libya

    7. Mr. Matsunaga: Before opening the floor for questions let me add one more thing about Japanese measures with respect to Libya.

    Following the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970, the day before yesterday, the Government of Japan started to implement measures under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act, based on the Cabinet approval on 8 March, "Freezing the Assets of Leader Muammar Al-Qadhafi and his related entities and prohibition against importation of weapons from Libya." A press release in this regard is available for your convenience.

    Those measures consist of two parts. One of them concerns measures to freeze the assets of Leader Al-Qadhafi and his related entities. Based on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs notification, which was promulgated the day before yesterday, payments etc. to leader Muammar Al-Qadhafi and those entities designated as his affiliates are placed under the obligation to obtain permission. In addition, capital transactions such as deposit contracts, trust contracts and money loan contracts etc. with the aforementioned persons and entities are placed under the obligation to obtain permission.

    The other part of the measures concerns arms import prohibition from Libya. Having amended the Ministry of External Trade and Industry notification, based on the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act, the import of arms originating from or shipped from Libya is prohibited. That is the end of my initial announcement. The floor is open for your questions.

  7. Questions concerning Acting Foreign Minister Edano

    8. Q: I have a question about the nomination of Mr. Matsumoto. It is quite common in governments that after a minister steps down it takes a couple of days to name the replacement. I can't remember any provisional Foreign Minister in Japan, and I have been here for a long time. Would you explain why it was necessary to nominate Mr. Edano as a provisional Foreign Minister for probably 60 hours and has the now former provisional Foreign Minister ever been in the building here during his tenure?

    Mr. Matsunaga: Thank you very much for your question. The purpose for designating an Acting Foreign Minister is, in essence, to maintain continuity. It is necessary for diplomacy to maintain continuity. There are a lot of diplomatic events, both visits abroad, and visits to Japan. In that regard it is quite natural for the Government of Japan to designate an Acting Foreign Minister.

    Q: But the Government of Japan has never done that before. Is that not the reason why you have Deputy Foreign Ministers like Mr. Matsumoto? So he was not competent or what not to be a provisional Foreign Minister, although that was his designated role as deputy? But then he becomes Foreign Minister; I don't understand that.

    Mr. Matsunaga: I'm sorry I don't understand the point of your question but at the end of the day, it was Mr. Matsumoto who was appointed as Foreign Minister and in that process the Chief Cabinet Secretary acted as an Acting Foreign Minister; that's it.

  8. Question concerning the telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Matsumoto and Foreign and Trade Minister of the Republic of Korea Kim Sung-hwan

    9. Q: You mentioned the telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Matsumoto and his counterpart in South Korea this morning. You said that Foreign Minister Matsumoto stressed that Korea is the most important neighbor, so he placed South Korea above China?

    Mr. Matsunaga: I chose the words carefully, with regard to the part you just referred to. I stated that it is "a most important neighbor."

  9. Question concerning the foreign policy of Foreign Minister Matsumoto

    10. Q: You mentioned some areas where the new Foreign Minister is in agreement with the former. Are there some areas where he differs in terms of foreign policy?

    Mr. Matsunaga: Thank you for your question which concerns possible differences he might have. In part of the question and answer session following his opening statement in yesterday's press conference hosted by Foreign Minister Matsumoto, he mentioned that he had worked as a member of the former Foreign Minister Maehara's team, and he had worked for months for the development of Mr. Maehara's diplomacy. For example, in that regard, he referred to five pillars of economic diplomacy which had been developed by former Foreign Minister Maehara and he was a part of his team, so in that regard there will definitely be continuity. Again, as I mentioned in the first item of my opening statement, Foreign Minister Matsumoto emphasized that there will be continuity in Japan's relationship with the United States, placing utmost importance on the Japan-US Alliance. And at the same time, perhaps I may add one point, it was not at all his intention to highlight a possible difference between himself and his predecessor, but he referred to the need to adapt diplomatic policy to the changing environment and situation. Again, that was not stated to highlight a possible difference between himself and his predecessor, but he stressed the necessity to adapt the foreign policy of Japan to the changing environment in the international community.

  10. Question concerning the Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting

    11. Q: Is there also a telephone conversation planned between the Chinese Foreign Minister and Foreign Minister Matsumoto before the trilateral meeting and perhaps you can elaborate a little bit about the topics of the trilateral meeting which will take place on 19 and 20 March?

    Mr. Matsunaga: At this point in time I have no information with respect to a possible telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Matsumoto and his Chinese counterpart. And with respect to the agenda items in the Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting I would like to inform you in due course. At this point in time I would like to refrain from misleading you, because the information is to be worked out for the convenience of the press corps soon.

    Shall I respond to the questions which were submitted from some of you in advance?

  11. Question concerning the relocation of Futenma Air Station

    12. Mr. Matsunaga: There was a question submitted in relation to the prospect of the relocation of Futenma Air Station.

    In an increasingly severe security environment, Japan will accelerate the consultation process to deepen the alliance in the area of security, and advance cooperation with the United States in a wide range of areas, in a concrete and steady manner. More specifically, as for the relocation of Futenma Air Station, the Government of Japan will steadily implement the US-Japan agreements of May last year, and at the same time, make the utmost efforts to reduce the impact on Okinawa. We will make sincere efforts to gain the understanding of the people in Okinawa. We do not believe that requesting something to the people of Okinawa, setting a specific deadline, would help facilitate the solution, but in order to lessen the burden of the Okinawan people, it is important to realize an early relocation.

  12. Question concerning Chinese military spending

    13. Mr. Matsunaga: The next question put to me in advance concerned Chinese military spending.

    We understand that Mr. Li Zhaoxing, a spokesperson for the National People's Congress stated in his press conference on 4 March that the 2011 Chinese defense budget represents a 12.7% increase from the previous year, i.e. 601 billion Chinese yuan or about 91.1 billion US dollars. We note that the Chinese defense budget shows double-digit growth again and we will pay close attention to future developments in this regard. At any rate, some parts of the Chinese defense expenditures are still unclear. It is hoped that its transparency will be further enhanced. It is the intention of Japan to continue encouraging China to increase the transparency of its defense policy, through dialogues and exchanges in the area of security.

  13. Question concerning the Japan-US Alliance

    14. Mr. Matsunaga: The third question I received in advance concerned the Japan-US Alliance. I was requested to describe the collaborative role played by Japan and the United States on security questions related to China's increasing military power.

    In that regard, while again, in the region surrounding Japan, the security environment is becoming increasingly severe as exemplified by the DPRK's development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, the sinking of a South Korean Navy patrol vessel, and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island, which have raised the tension in the region, as well as China's continuing strengthening of its defense capabilities, in a manner that lacks transparency. In such a situation, Japan has, while maintaining its exclusively defense-oriented policy, been developing its restrained defense forces, ensuring the forward deployment of US forces under the security partnership of Japan and the United States, and ensuring its security, relying on the deterrence based on the security partnership. We believe that this basic makeup of role-sharing between Japan and the United States continues to be most realistic and appropriate. Furthermore Japan and the United States will work jointly in close partnership, to address not only bilateral issues, but also issues in the Asia-Pacific Region, as well as global issues, sharing their respective responsibilities and roles.

  14. Question concerning North Korea

    15. Mr. Matsunaga: The fourth question was related to North Korea, whether there is a situation where Japan would support direct talks between the United States and the DPRK, outside of the Six-Party framework, or not.

    In dealing with DPRK issues, Japan, the United States, and the ROK are working together very closely. Both Japan and the United States place importance on the complete implementation by the DPRK of the September 2005 joint statement of the fourth round of the Six-Party Talks and are in concurrence on undertaking dialogue with the DPRK, in the Six-Party framework. We will continue to work together, among Japan, the United States and the ROK, to ask the DPRK to take concrete actions, with a view to abandoning all nuclear weapons, and existing nuclear programs, abiding by the joint statement of the Six-Party Talks and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

  15. Question concerning the uprisings in the Middle East

    16. Mr. Matsunaga: The fifth question I received concerns the uprisings in the Middle East. "What lessons can be drawn from the recent uprisings in the Middle East in terms of the future of non-diplomatic regimes in Asia?"

    We are concerned about the recent violence against peaceful demonstrations, and the many casualties resulting from such violence in the Middle East and northern Africa. We expect that the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms are upheld and promoted, and the stability and safety in these regions are ensured. Also with respect to Asia, we believe that it is necessary for each government in the region to make ceaseless efforts, heeding the voices of civil society, in order to protect and promote the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

  16. Follow-up question concerning North Korea

    17. Mr. Matsunaga: The last question I received in advance concerned the DPRK. "What plans does Japan have in place for a total collapse of the DPRK regime, and what role would be played by the United States and other countries involved in the Six-Party framework?"

    Of course we are always closely watching the DPRK situation with keen interest, but I would like to refrain from stating our possible plans for a hypothetical situation of a total collapse of the DPRK regime. In dealing with the DPRK issues, we will continue to work together among Japan, the United States and the ROK as I mentioned earlier, and communicate with other countries concerned, such as China and Russia, to ask the DPRK to take concrete actions to resolve the various issues concerned. Concurrence on these ideas was reaffirmed in a recent Foreign Ministers' meeting between Japan and the ROK, as well as in a Foreign Ministers' meeting between Japan and Russia.

    Thank you very much. If you don't have further questions, I would like to draw this press conference to a close.

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