(* This is a provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only. The original text is in Japanese.)

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Hirofumi Nakasone

Date: Friday, May 15, 2009, 11:20 a.m.
Place: Briefing Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Opening Statement
- A Japanese Journalist Having Entered into Etorofu Island for Media Coverage
Japan-Russia Relations (Four-island Non-visa Exchange Program)
Report on North Korea's Missile Launch
Japan-Russia Relations (Prime Minister Putin's Statement at the Joint Press Conference)
US Forces in Okinawa
Situation in Myanmar (Prosecution of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi)
Trial of Former Head of the Foreign Affairs Bureau of the Xinhua News Agency

1. Opening Statement

A Japanese Journalist Having Entered into Etorofu Island for Media Coverage

Minister:
The chief of the Moscow bureau of the Nippon Television Network Corporation entered Etorofu Island from May 9 to May 13 for reporting. A news program based on this reporting was broadcast on the night of May 12, which I watched. Regarding this incident, the Press Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already stated at a press conference that the act was extremely regrettable. I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words as well.

The reporter from an affiliated broadcaster of Nippon Television entered the Northern Territories in accordance with Russian immigration procedures. This conflicts with Japan's legal position regarding the Northern Territories as well as with the public's hopes for the resolution of the territorial issue. It also goes against the series of Cabinet agreements regarding this issue and it is extremely regrettable.

Former island residents are refraining from visiting the four islands, except for visiting with the four-island non-visa exchange program, so as to not harm Japan's position regarding the Northern Territories and are bearing a situation where they cannot freely visit their home towns, as you all know. This act by Nippon Television undermines Japan's national interests and ignores the sentiments of these former Island residents and I repeat that it is extremely regrettable. I strongly request that Nippon Television thoroughly understand the seriousness of this incident and take measures to prevent a repetition of such actions. I expect Nippon Television's swift actions regarding this matter.

2. Japan-Russia Relations (Four-island Non-visa Exchange Program)

Question:
In regard to the Northern Territories, there had been an agreement between Japan and Russia regarding a framework of the resumption of the four-island non-visa exchange program. Despite this, the first four-island non-visa exchange program for this fiscal year, scheduled for mid-May, was cancelled. How did this happen? How do you plan to move forward with this situation?

Minister:
Regarding the first four-island non-visa exchange program for this fiscal year, we had been consulting with the Russian side on this program from May 15 according to the schedule agreed upon at the Four Island Delegates' Talks on April 23. However, on May 13, the day before yesterday, we received notice from the Russian side that their internal procedures were delayed and unfortunately the first exchange program could not be conducted as planned. However, they will make efforts to complete the procedures as soon as possible. We conveyed our regret to the Russian side for the cancellation caused by a delay in the Russian internal procedures despite our coordination to conduct the first exchange program as scheduled. We also strongly requested that they complete their internal procedures as early as possible. Yesterday, May 14, Mr. Yabunaka, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs requested Mr. Mikhail Bely, Russian Ambassador to Japan to convey this and likewise the Japanese Ambassador to Russia did so with his counterparts. I hope that the procedures will be completed as soon as possible and that the second exchange will take place. Since this is due to internal procedures on the Russian side, I am not in a position to comment on why they were delayed. However, I have received an explanation from the Russian side that coordination with related ministries and other organizations are taking time.

Question:
Have you sent a request yourself?

Minister:
No, I have not said anything directly. This is going through Vice Minister Yabunaka, who is the top of administrative affairs.

Question:
The second exchange is scheduled for May 22. How do you plan to handle this?

Minister:
For the moment, of course we must move forward with going through with the visit on May 22 and we have requested that the procedures be completed in time for this.

Question:
You stated that it was a matter of internal coordination on the Russian side. Are there any background factors to this such as lack of understanding, opposition, or dissatisfaction with the agreement on the new framework?

Minister:
I do not know the internal situation. The two countries agreed upon this at the Four Island Delegates' Talks held in Sapporo on April 23, so I do not believe there has been any change in their policies. However, in reality, I do not really know. Since the delay is due to procedures on the Russian side, we requested that they be completed swiftly.

3. Report on North Korea's Missile Launch

Question:
This morning, the Ministry of Defense released a report on the missile launched by North Korea in April. The report points out it is possible that other countries' technology and materials flowing into North Korea have helped it to develop stronger missile capabilities with longer range. Which countries' technology and what kind of technology are likely to have flowed in? Additionally, what measures does the Japanese Government intend to take in order to prevent the advancement of missile technology of North Korea?

Minister:
Regarding the details of this morning's meeting, it is up to the Chief Cabinet Secretary to make an announcement. As for what you mentioned about the technology and capabilities of North Korean missiles, I would like to refrain from making any comments as it is a sensitive issue.

4. Japan-Russia Relations (Prime Minister Putin's Statement at the Joint Press Conference)

Question:
At the joint press conference, Prime Minister Putin stated that they would "discuss every possible option" during the Japan-Russia Summit Meeting to be held in July in Italy. What is your opinion on this?

Minister:
I believe that this was Prime Minister Putin's response to a journalist's question. From the Japanese side, Prime Minister Aso has already strongly inquired on the Russian side's actions and commitment towards a final resolution of the issue of the attribution of the Four Islands to President Medvedev during the February Summit Meeting in Sakhalin. We hope for a response from the Russian side at the Summit Meeting during the July G8 Summit. I believe that Prime Minister Putin's statement meant that various discussions will be held at that Summit Meeting.

Question:
Do you believe that the discussion will include topics such as the possibility of the return of 3.5 islands?

Minister:
I believe that Prime Minister Putin's statement itself can be translated into Japanese to mean that he believes that all options will be discussed (during the G8 Summit). I do not think that Prime Minister Putin was consciously thinking about concrete details such as how many islands, but rather he meant that a comprehensive discussion will be held.

5. US Forces in Okinawa

Question:
Regarding crimes committed by US Forces in Japan, today marks the 37th year of Okinawa's return to Japan. According to documents from the Ministry of Justice, 83% of crimes committed by US military personnel between 2001 and 2008 were not prosecuted. This is the average for Japan as a whole. However, looking at this number, I believe that it is difficult to say that Japan's sovereignty is being exercised in Japan, including in Okinawa. What is your opinion on this, as well as on the 37th anniversary of Okinawa's return?

Minister:
There have been articles in newspapers regarding this. I do not know the details of the data or the material disclosed by the Ministry of Justice as this question was not anticipated. However, documents on the number of people involved in crimes by US military personnel and the number of those prosecuted have been submitted during this Diet session and I believe that there may be a difference in the numbers. I would like to see the numbers that the Ministry of Justice has disclosed. I believe that first of all, this is the starting line. Regarding the jurisdiction of criminal offenses, there is no secret agreement between Japan and the US stating that Japan will abandon the first jurisdiction under certain circumstances. According to newspapers, there have been headlines that state that this figure supports the existence of a secret agreement, however, there is no truth to this. It is my understanding that in cases for which Japan has first jurisdiction, the authorities concerned make appropriate decisions based on Japanese laws and evidence for each individual case, based on the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement. Although the data is released in the newspapers, as I have not seen the data from the Ministry of Justice yet, I would like to do so first.

Question:
What is the number for the prosecution rate submitted to the Diet?

Minister:
The data concerns the number of the people involved in crimes and prosecuted respectively, from 2001 to 2007, not the prosecution rate.

Question:
There is no secret agreement?

Minister:
There is no secret agreement.

Question:
Currently, there is a lawsuit against the National Diet Library to disclose documents that support the existence of a secret agreement. In the lawsuit, the Ministry of Justice submitted documents saying that the Ministry of Justice side is not disclosing the documents because it is currently operating under the secret agreement.

Minister:
There is no secret agreement.

Related Information (Press Release)

6. Situation in Myanmar (Prosecution of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi)

Question:
The Secretary General of the United Nations expressed his concern regarding the prosecution of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. What is the Japanese Government's position regarding this prosecution?

Minister:
I know that she has been sent to a prison called Insein Prison and a trial has been held and we are closely monitoring this incident with great concern. We have conveyed this to the Government of Myanmar. We hope that the democratization of Myanmar will advance in a way that will be welcomed by the international society. We keep gathering information through the Japanese Embassy in Myanmar and other organizations. To be more specific, this morning, the Director-General of the Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department conveyed to the Myanmar Ambassador in Tokyo both that the Japanese Government is monitoring the situation with great concern as well as the Japanese Government's position that it expects that democratization will progress in a manner that involves all concerned and that the 2010 general elections will be held in a way that will be commended by the international society.

Related Information (Press Release)

7. Trial of Former Head of the Foreign Affairs Bureau of the Xinhua News Agency

Question:
Regarding media reports that a journalist of the Xinhua News Agency was sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment for receiving money from Japanese Ambassador Miyamoto in China, is there any truth to this?

Minister:
As the Chief Cabinet Secretary stated in his press conference, individual dealings regarding the Government's diplomatic activity should not be commented on as they may interfere with future diplomatic activities. Therefore, I would like to refrain from making any comments. In general terms, diplomatic activities at foreign diplomatic missions fall under, and are respectful of, local laws, so I believe there is no problem.

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