Top > Announcement > Press Conference by the Press Secretary of MOFA > 26 July 2012

Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 26 July 2012

  1. Courtesy Call on Prime Minister of Japan by National Security Advisor to the President of the United States
  2. Meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and National Security Advisor to the President of the United States
  3. Passing of President of the Republic of Ghana
  4. Dispatch of a Self-Defense Force Instructor to the International Peace Support Training Centre in Kenya
  5. First Meeting of the Japan-Ukraine Joint Committee for the Cooperation to Advance Aftermath Response to Accidents at Nuclear Power Stations

1. Courtesy Call on Prime Minister of Japan by National Security Advisor to the President of the United States

Deputy Press Secretary Ms. Naoko Saiki: Good afternoon. Let me start with several announcements.

Ms. Saiki: First, on a courtesy call on Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda by Mr. Thomas Donilon, National Security Advisor to the President of the United States. This morning, Prime Minister Noda received the call. Prime Minister Noda stated that on the basis of the “Japan-US Joint Statement: A Shared Vision for the Future” agreed upon last April between the two leaders on the occasion of Prime Minister Noda’s visit to the United States, he wishes to promote concrete cooperation in a wide range of areas and thus, further deepen and develop the alliance. And he asked Mr. Donilon to send his best regards to President Obama. In response, Mr. Donilon stated that President Obama also believes that the Japan-US Summit Meeting in April was a great success and it is important for both countries to materialize the fruitful result of the summit meeting by steadily implementing measures of collaboration.

2. Meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and National Security Advisor to the President of the United States

Ms. Saiki: Second, on a meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Koichiro Gemba and National Security Advisor to the President of the United States. This morning, Foreign Minister held a meeting with Mr. Donilon. They concurred in expressing their determination to further develop bilateral relations. In that context, Minister Gemba, like Prime Minister Noda, referred to the importance of the “Japan-US Joint Statement: A Shared Vision for the Future.”

Then, Minister Gemba stated that in view of the increasing uncertainty of the security environment in the Asia Pacific Region, it is quite important for both governments to steadily implement the current plan of the realignment of US forces in Japan and to further promote cooperation between the two countries under the Joint Statement of the Security Consultative Committee (2 plus 2) agreed upon in April this year. To be more specific, Minister said that he would like to make progress in the fields of, for instance, the evaluation on alliance roles, missions, and capabilities (RCM), missile defense, extended deterrence, and security and defense cooperation in broader areas such as space and cyber. He continued to state that Japan remains committed to the relocation of Futenma Air Station to Henoko.

Furthermore, Foreign Minister Gemba stated that on the planned deployment of the Osprey aircraft, very, very serious safety concerns are raised not only locally but also nationwide. He maintained that, therefore, it is needed that Japan and the United States will continue making efforts to eradicate these concerns. Mr. Donilon replied by saying that the Government of the United States will cooperate with the Government of Japan on various fronts including provision of pertinent information on the safety of the Osprey aircraft.

3. Passing of President of the Republic of Ghana

Ms. Saiki: Third, on the passing of Professor John Evans Atta Mills, President of the Republic of Ghana. The Government of Japan expresses sincere condolences to his bereaved family and the government and people of the Republic of Ghana. President Mills contributed significantly to the development of the Japan-Ghana relationship through various occasions such as an official visit to Japan from September to October in 2010. The Government of Japan deeply appreciates such President Mills’ achievements. The Government of Japan offers its sincerest prayers for the repose of President Mills’ soul and wishes that the Ghanaian Government and people will overcome the sadness and continue to progress toward the further development and prosperity of the country. Japan welcomes the inauguration of Mr. John Dramani Mahama, Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, as the new President on 24 July, based on the country’s constitutional framework. Japan hopes that Ghana will further promote its development under the leadership of President Mahama and continue its contribution to the peace and stability in the African region.

4. Dispatch of a Self-Defense Force Instructor to the International Peace Support Training Centre in Kenya

Ms. Saiki: Fourth, on the dispatch of a self-defense force instructor to the International Peace Support Training Centre in Kenya. The Government of Japan recently decided to dispatch one member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces as an instructor to help with training African military and civilian personnel engaged in peace-keeping operations and humanitarian support activities. Training will take place at the International Peace Support Training Centre in Kenya between 31 July and 5 August. Based on the recognition that peace is a prerequisite for development, Japan has been providing assistance to African peace-keeping training centers with the goals to enhance the peace-keeping capabilities of African countries and to maintain the stability of the region. The dispatch of the instructor this time is also as part of Japan’s support for the International Peace Support Training Centre in Kenya.

5. First Meeting of the Japan-Ukraine Joint Committee for the Cooperation to Advance Aftermath Response to Accidents at Nuclear Power Stations

Ms. Saiki: Fifth, on the first meeting of the Japan-Ukraine Joint Committee for the cooperation to advance aftermath response to accidents at nuclear power stations. Today, the first meeting of the Japan-Ukraine Joint Committee for the cooperation to advance aftermath response to accidents at nuclear power stations is being held in Tokyo. In the meeting, participants are discussing on the current condition of measures taken after the accident of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station of TEPCO and future policy. In addition to exchanging views on lessons learned from the accidents, including that of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station in Ukraine, they are expected to cover issues relating to future cooperation between our two countries. In fact, the meeting is held on the basis of the “Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of Ukraine concerning Cooperation to Advance Aftermath Response to Accidents at Nuclear Power Stations” concluded in May 2012.

With these initial announcements, now I would like to take questions. The floor is open for questions. Are there no questions? Then, this concludes today’s conference. Thank you.

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