Press Conferences

Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida: Following on from last year, I am scheduled to attend the Memorial Ceremony to Commemorate the Fallen on the 69th Anniversary of the End of the Battle of Okinawa on Monday, June 23. I hope to offer my condolences to the souls of the fallen on the Memorial Day for the War Dead, with the hope for an everlasting peace so that the tragedy of war will never happen again.

Watanabe, NHK: To begin with, I would like to ask about Japan-ROK relations. The ROK side is indicating that it intends to carry out a live-fire drill in the sea where Takeshima is located, including in Japanese territorial waters. I would like to ask how the Government of Japan will respond if this drill is, in fact, carried out.

Minister Kishida: In light of the Government of Japan’s position concerning the territorial sovereignty over Takeshima, I think the holding of the drill that you referred to is unacceptable and extremely regrettable. The Government of Japan has conveyed such a message to the ROK government, and strongly asks this drill to be stopped.

Kamide, Freelance: My question concerns the situation in Iraq. There are reports that the U.S. is preparing air strikes as a counterterrorism measure. Where Iraq is concerned, at the time of the Iraq War 10 years ago, verifications of the war were undertaken in the Netherlands and the U.K., but there is criticism that they are insufficient in Japan. I believe questions like this also emerged soon after you were appointed as the Minister, but is there some response being made in a way that takes into account the lessons learned from the Iraq War? I would also like to ask what the basic view of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government of Japan is regarding the current situation, and what the policy is.

To add a bit more to that, in local journalists’ reports, one of the criticisms being made is that there appears to be a large number of ordinary citizens being killed by the Government’s military. That being the case, in this difficult, complex situation, what standpoint is the Government of Japan adopting at present?

Minister Kishida: To begin with, the Government of Japan is concerned about the deteriorating situation in Iraq. The Government of Japan has called for Iraq to respect the rights of all citizens across all religious groups, and for national unity to be achieved through the formation of the new government. Yesterday I had a telephone conference with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, conveyed the view that I just spoke of now, and Secretary of State Kerry shared that view. To begin with, the Government of Japan intends to continue to support the fight of the Government of Iraq and its citizens against this kind of terrorist organization.

On the other hand, where the current circumstances in Iraq are concerned, it is being reported that the situation is resulting in large numbers of internally displaced persons. Regarding the implementation of humanitarian assistance through international organizations to such internally displaced persons in Iraq, the Government of Japan believes it must consider a robust response, and it is considering to do so. Above all else, we believe that every effort must be made to protect Japanese nationals. That’s what we consider.

You also asked about air strikes by the U.S. and the lessons of the past. I understand that President Barack Obama also held a press conference early this morning, June 20, in which he explained that the U.S. is prepared to send up to 300 American military advisors, and that it is prepared to take targeted and precise military action if and when it is determined that the situation on the ground requires it. Additionally, this weekend Secretary Kerry will be dispatched for meetings in the Middle East and Europe. I understand that this is what was said at President Obama’s press conference.

Where the issue of air strikes is concerned, I intend to continue to pay close attention. However, at present, I feel I should refrain from responding to a hypothetical question from my standpoint as the Minister. That is how I consider.

Watanabe, NHK: I would like to ask another question about Japan-ROK relations. The results of the study on the Kono Statement will be announced today. Following that announcement, what kind of explanation is the Government of Japan planning to make to the ROK side?

Minister Kishida: I am aware that a study on the process of the drafting of the Kono Statement will be reported to today’s board meeting of the Lower House Budget Committee. I believe that once this report takes place, it will be necessary to provide a careful explanation to the ROK side as well. I intend to provide a solid explanation about this issue to the ROK via various channels.

Yamamoto, Sankei Shimbun: In connection with the Kono Statement, the content of the study have not emerged yet. However, what are your views on the impact that those results will have on Japan-ROK relations?

Minister Kishida: The issue on a study on the process of the drafting of the Kono Statement came up at the Budget Committee, and a decision was made to undertake that study from the standpoint of fulfilling accountability to citizens. It was decided to undertake a confirmation of the facts.

To begin with, I want to make it fundamentally clear that the facts of the process of drafting the statement are what is being confirmed. Thus, the Government has no intention whatsoever of revising the Kono Statement itself. This point should be carefully explained to the ROK side, and it will be necessary to secure a full understanding of the meaning of, and reasons for, this study.

In any case, I intend to make a solid effort to ensure that this study can be viewed in a positive light for Japan-ROK relations.

Watanabe, NHK: That being so, I imagine that a Japan-ROK Director-General Level Consultation is most likely being coordinated. What is the outlook for the talks, and do you think that the Japanese side will provide some sort of explanation at the DG Level Consultation in connection with the results of the study on the Kono Statement?

Minister Kishida: I am aware that discussions on a Japan-ROK Director-General Level Consultation are ongoing, and I understand that the schedule for the next talks is in the process of being coordinated. Discussions on the consultation will continue to take place, and so I intend to solidly build up dialogue. However, apart from that, I want to use various channels to provide a careful explanation to the ROK side regarding this study on the process of the drafting of the Kono Statement.

Yamamoto, Sankei Shimbun: I would like to ask you about the relationship between Japan and North Korea. Have you determined the date and location of the next consultations?

In addition, we learned that a special investigation committee would be established approximately three weeks after the announcement of the previous Japan-North Korea agreement, and the three weeks have already passed since then. Although the next consultations are expected, the establishment of the special committee seems to be delayed. What do you think about this? If you would please answer these two questions.

Minister Kishida: I have stated that it would take approximately three weeks until the establishment of the special investigation committee, following an agreement between Japan and North Korea. We have confirmed this between Japan and North Korea, and have been making arrangements thus, taking the time schedule of approximately three weeks into consideration. In addition, we have agreed that the North Korean side will notify us of the organization, composition, and who is in charge of the special committee before the special committee begins its investigation. We have confirmed and disclosed that both sides would coordinate the format of the notification, and that we would receive the notification after Japan-North Korea Government-level consultations are held. Although we are still coordinating when and where the next Government-level consultations will be held, we will coordinate and fix dates.

Watanabe, NHK: Do you mean that Japan-North Korea Government-level consultations will be held first, and you will then receive a notification?

Minister Kishida: Consultations will be held, and then we will receive the notification.

Watanabe, NHK: Understood. In terms of the study on the Kono Statement, is it correct that this issue will be discussed at the next Director-General Level Consultation?

Minister Kishida: Specifics of the next Government-level consultations, such as the date and time, have not yet been decided. Therefore, I have not learned that any specific topics have been decided. I believe that Japan-ROK Director-General Level Consultation is a very important occasion for the two countries to hold sincere talks.