(* 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 Seiji Maehara

Date: Friday, November 12, 2010, 5:38 p.m.
Place: MOFA Press Conference Room

Main topics:

Opening Remarks
- (1) APEC Ministerial Meetings
- (2) Selection of New Iraqi Parliamentary Speaker, New Iraqi President, and Appointment of Prime Minister
Japan-US Bilateral Summit Meeting
TPP
Prefectural Gubernatorial Election in Okinawa
Bilateral Meetings at APEC
Leak of a Video showing a collision between Japanese coast guard vessels and a Chinese trawler
Opinion Poll (Cabinet Approval Rating)

1. Opening Remarks

(1) APEC Ministerial Meetings

Minister Maehara: I have two announcements.
The first one is that APEC meetings were held yesterday and the day before yesterday in Yokohama. Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Ohata and I served as joint chairmen. Active discussions were held on such topics as support for a multilateral free-trade system, resisting protectionism, regional economic integration, the future of APEC, and growth strategies. As we have compiled a draft, we hope that good discussions will be held at the summit based on that draft.

(2) Selection of New Iraqi Parliamentary Speaker, New Iraqi President, and Appointment of Prime Minister

Minister: Next, with regard to Iraq, I would like to comment on the selection of the new parliamentary speaker and the new president, as well as the appointment of the prime minister.
The Council of Representatives of Iraq resumed its session on the 11th and al-Nujayfi, a member of the Council, was elected as its speaker, while President Talibani was re-elected as president. Following this, President Talibani appointed Prime Minister Maliki to head the cabinet and appoint its members. Cabinet ministers are to be appointed within 30 days. Japan welcomes these developments as great progress toward the establishment of the new Iraqi government. We hope that the formation of the cabinet will be completed soon and a new stable government will be established.

2. Japan-US Bilateral Summit Meeting

Nagai, Nihon Keizai Shimbun: In connection with tomorrow’s Japan-US summit meeting, I believe that there were moves within the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) to look into the possibility of a new security declaration on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Japan-US alliance during the latest visit to Japan by President Obama. As this new security declaration is expected to be shelved at tomorrow’s meeting, how do you assess this as Foreign Minister?

Minister: Are you saying that there were such moves among lawmakers?

Nagai, Nihon Keizai Shimbun: That is what I have heard.

Minister: I am not aware of that.

Nagai, Nihon Keizai Shimbun: I think that some kind of outcome, result, or a new security declaration on deepening the Japan-US alliance would become necessary in the future. What are your thoughts on dealing with this matter?

Minister: The Japan-US alliance is the cornerstone of Japan's foreign policy, and it is an indisputable fact that the US presence in this region based on the Japan-US security arrangement serves as a public good for the stability of the region. While this year certainly marks the 50th anniversary, the bilateral alliance will continue to remain important next year, two years from now, and beyond. From the standpoint that this relationship must be further deepened and strengthened, such a new security declaration may be necessary at a certain point in time. However, the situation is not such that this declaration must especially be made right now. We would like to continue to make efforts to firmly move forward with deepening the Japan-US alliance as a substantive matter.

Nishida, Mainichi Newspapers: With regard to the tomorrow’s Japan-US summit meeting, it would be the third of such meeting following the meetings in June and September. I believe that the previous meeting had strong implications of being directed at China as it took place after the Senkaku incident. What will be the significance of the upcoming meeting in this respect? I believe that during the previous meeting, a rather strong expression was used that Japan and the United States would closely watch China and cooperate in dealing with that country. Does Japan and the United States have any intention to convey some messages to China this time?

Minister: I believe that the recent meeting took place on September 24. Since that was just after the so-called Senkaku incident, I remember that the meeting was shadowed by that. However, Prime Minister Kan did not give a detailed briefing to President Obama regarding the Senkaku incident in the previous meeting. I gave a detailed briefing to Secretary of State Clinton, and the Secretary Clinton said that the Senkaku Islands, which are under Japanese administration, fall within the Scope of Article 5 of the Japan-US Security Treaty. This time, it will be Prime Minister Kan’s third meeting with President Obama, so as Prime Minister Kan repeatedly said before, Japan and the United States will specifically be promoting the three pillars, which are security, economy, and human and cultural exchanges.
With regard to security, I believe that, for example, some kind of agreement will be reached. With regard to economic relations, I believe that Prime Minister Kan will explain Japan’s basic policy on comprehensive economic partnerships and confirmation will likely be made with regard to close cooperation between Japan and the United States as well as the consultations that is stated on the draft of the Cabinet decision.
In addition, some kind of agreement will probably be made with regard to human and cultural exchanges. In that sense, if I talk about it right now, that would spoil some of your enjoyment. I believe that it is actually important to confirm our commitment to specifically deepen the wide-ranging Japan-US alliance step by step, as well as to confirm our intention to further promote and accelerate those matters on which we are specifically working on at the moment, including what I can and cannot tell you, as deepening the alliance is a process rather than words.

Mukai, Yomiuri Shimbun: I am aware that you talked over the telephone with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last night. While I believe that the talks were in anticipation of the Japan-US summit meeting, what did you talk about with regard to how you want the summit meeting to turn out?
In addition, while this is a different matter, I think that during the US-China foreign ministerial meeting in Hanoi the other day, Secretary of State Clinton proposed holding a trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting. China has not agreed to this. Please tell us whether you talked about this with Secretary of State Clinton.

Minister: Confirmation of preparations for the Japan-US summit meeting was a major agendum, and there also were a number of follow-up matters after the exchange of views at the recent Japan-US foreign ministerial meeting in Hawaii. Although I cannot talk about the details right now, the fact is that such talks were held. We confirmed the preparatory work related to the substance of the Japan-US summit meeting and exchanged views on the follow-up to the bilateral foreign ministers’ meeting in Hawaii.

Mukai, Yomiuri Shimbun: Didn’t you talk about the trilateral meeting among the foreign ministers of Japan, the United States, and China?

Minister: I wonder how it was. Since I do not want to mix up what I talked about with Deputy Secretary of State Steinberg, and what I talked about with Secretary of State Clinton, I would like to answer your question after I look at my notes.

3. TPP

Tajima, Nihon Keizai Shimbun: I would like to ask a question about the TPP. Recently, the government decided to start holding consultations with the relevant countries while promoting information gathering. A summit meeting among the nine countries participating in the negotiations is scheduled to be held on the 14th. Is there any possibility, even in an unofficial status, for the Government of Japan to participate in some form such as Prime Minister Kan’s participating as an observer or participation by officials in charge? Please tell us for the sake of confirmation.

Minister: On the 14th, which is the final day, there will be a meeting that will bring together the top leaders of the nine countries that have announced their intention to participate in the TPP. With regard to that, Japan has been sounded out for participating in it as the chairing nation. We are currently thinking about whether Prime Minister Kan should participate. As there are other countries that are interested in the TPP, a question would be raised why these other countries were not asked to participate when Japan alone was asked to participate, even if strictly as the chairing nation. We are aware that Japan has been invited strictly as the chairing nation, and we are currently thinking about whether Prime Minister Kan should accept it.

Yamaguchi, Asahi Shimbun: During the previous press conference, you said that you had not been notified yet, as it was immediately after (the meeting among the nine countries participating in the TPP and Japanese officials in charge). What kind of briefing on the meeting did you receive from the Japanese officials in charge and what instructions did you give them or what did you ask them to study in response to the briefing? While we have been informed that along with the top leaders of the nine countries, Prime Minister Kan has been invited to participate as the leader of the chairing nation, it is unlikely that Prime Minister Kan will merely sit silently in the chairman’s seat in such a setting. What kind of role do you want the Prime Minister to play in holding talks with the leaders of the nine countries? Please tell us your thoughts on these two points.

Minister: With regard to the first point, the meeting is an informal one. While I have been notified about its details, I feel that it would not be good for the Japanese Foreign Minister, who has been notified about the details, to talk about the details of an informal meeting, so I would like to refrain from commenting on that.
As for the second point, if Prime Minister Kan manages to find time to attend the meeting, I would like him to participate, although strictly as an observer. In other words, as you all basically understand Japan’s position, I would like for the Prime Minister to get first-hand knowledge of what the top leaders of the nine countries are discussing and how they envision the future of the TPP, so that the Prime Minister can draw his own image about it. During the informal meeting of Cabinet ministers after the Cabinet meeting, I proposed a set of recommendations to the entire government. A decision was made on the basic policy on comprehensive economic partnerships. This consists of three pillars. In other words, I believe that in Seoul, Prime Minister Kan expressed the intention to promote an EPA with the EU in line with ongoing efforts to promote bilateral EPAs and FTAs. Additionally, there is South Korea; there is Australia; and there is the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council). It is first necessary to sort these out and determine in what order of priority we should promote them.
Secondly, there are countries that have yet to conclude EPAs of FTAs with Japan, but have a wish to conclude either EPAs of FTAs with Japan. There are also countries with which it would be favorable for Japan to conclude such agreements from a strategic standpoint. We also need to determine how to select these countries and move on with concluding the agreements. The third pillar is that amid various efforts toward promoting the so-called FTAAP, regardless of whether it be TPP or ASEAN + 3 or ASEAN + 6, consultations will start on the TPP, for example, but it is necessary to establish a strategy with regard to what conditions must be there to conduct consultations or on what topics the consultations would be held. On top of that, these matters span various ministries. Therefore, Minister of State for National Policy Genba took over these in the end and said, “Since they are important matters, let us move on under my initiative.” I believe that it is important to quickly create something like a strategic headquarters for the entire government to be involved in promoting comprehensive economic partnerships and make thorough efforts, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would be the point of contact for the relevant negotiations.

Yamaguchi, Asahi Shimbun: Please let us know how Minister Genba reacted to your proposal you just mentioned.

Minister: He said that it was a very good proposal and that he would like to play the central role in promoting the proposal.

Yamaguchi, Asahi Shimbun: Were there any reactions from the Prime Minister and other Cabinet ministers?

Minister: Although there were no verbal reactions, they all listened attentively. Just a while ago, our officials in charge already received instructions from the Minister of State for National Policy and there are moves regarding the question of at what level the matters should be handled, so I believe that Minister Genba has already started taking action.

4. Prefectural Gubernatorial Election in Okinawa

Takimoto, Ryukyu Shimpo: The date of the Okinawa guvernatorial election was announced. I would like to ask you again about this election: what do you think will be the key issue of the gubernatorial election? What issues do you think will be raised in the election, or have been raised?

Minister: This election will be an Okinawa people’s election. I therefore think it best not to talk much about it. No matter who wins, I intend to take that as an expression of the will of the people of Okinawa.

Takimoto, Ryukyu Shimpo: You just now used the phrase “the will of the people.” You also said that the results of the election of the Mayor of Nago City and the like were the will of the people; how do you think that the will of the people should be reflected in national policy?

Minister: The question is, what are the issue of contention in the election for the Governor of Okinawa, or which criteria do the people of the prefecture refer to when they cast their votes. We intend to identify the will of the people by observing these things.

5. Bilateral Meetings at APEC

Inukai, Mainichi Newspapers: The APEC Leaders’ Meeting will be held tomorrow and the next day, and this evening the leaders of each country will be arriving. A meeting between Japan and the United States is scheduled for tomorrow morning. Potential meetings of Japan-China and Japan-Russia have also been calling attention; please tell us what kind of coordination is taking place as of today.

Minister: I am sorry to give you a simple answer, but coordination is in progress.

Inukai, Mainichi Newspapers: Do you have a hunch that there is a greater likelihood of a meeting between Japan and Russia than Japan and China; do you feel that the environment is more conducive to a Japan-Russia meeting?

Minister: It is a question of matching up the available time slots: the slots that Prime Minister Kan has, and the slots that various countries are requesting. Our staff is currently working on this.

Inukai, Mainichi Newspapers: It appears that Prime Minister Kan had a word or two with President Hu Jintao in Seoul, saying, “Let us meet again in Yokohama.” I would like to ask your reaction to this; additionally, I would like to ask a question regarding the fact that the response from the Chinese side does not come until the last minute. Yesterday, China’s press secretary said that the Senkaku video should not be allowed to have impact any longer. Is there the influence of the video?

Minister: I am not in the position of interpreting China’s way of thinking. I heard that they had had a chat today while standing. But I expect for the leaders of Japan and China to take more time to discuss at length about how Japan-China relations ought to be, and hold a frank exchange of views.

Yamaguchi, Asahi Shimbun: You just now said with regard to coordination between Japan and China, and between Japan and Russia, that it has been quite difficult to coordinate slots.

Minister: Not that it is difficult, but that coordination is in progress.

Yamaguchi, Asahi Shimbun: Although I think that this is the case, given the tight schedule, it could be that the coordination will not go well, and this window of opportunity of their visit will be lost. You just said that you would like them to discuss at length; if time cannot be made for them to discuss at length, would it also be an option not to have a summit meeting? Would that be one of the courses of action you are considering?

Minister: I believe that VIPs will start to arrive from Seoul today. We intend to work very hard to coordinate, in order to make the most effective use of tomorrow and the day after.

Inada, NHK: Given the fact that a slot with China has still not been set, I think this is like solving an extremely difficult simultaneous equation with multiple unknowns. Some people in the government and opposition parties, and including some voices from public opinion in Japan, have been asking why there must be a meeting with China. What is your response to that?

Minister: Listening to your question now, it appears that your question has an assumption. It seems to me that you assume we put the highest priority to the meeting with Chinese Premier and that is making allocations of slots for other meetings difficult. It is not the case but we are coordinating amid a wide range of offers and open slots.

Deguchi, Kyodo News: On the topic of Japan and Russia, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ohata today said that Japan would postpone an agreement on economic cooperation with Russia. Was this an effect of the visit by Russian President Medvedev to the Northern Territories ? Although I think that it was not a positive action, please tell us your views on this.

Minister: What I have heard is that the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Russian Ministry for Economic Development were scheduled to sign a memorandum of understanding. I was told that this was suspended because both the Japanese and Russian Ministers were unable to attend the investment forum, due to the circumstances in their respective parliaments and the like.
It is my understanding that at this morning’s meeting of the Economy, Trade and Industry Committee of the Diet, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ohata responded to an interpellation by Committee Member Sato with an answer that was in accordance with that series of events.

Deguchi, Kyodo News: Does this mean that it was postponed due only to scheduling considerations?

Minister: It may be due to the schedules of the two Ministers, and in particular due to the requirement of attendance of Minister Ohata at the meeting of the Economy, Trade and Industry Committee.

Deguchi, Kyodo News: Is it your understanding that the Northern Territories issue was not involved at all?

Minister: I do not think it is relevant .

Inada, NHK: Even leaving aside my assumption, please let me ask you again on what ground you think you need to have a summit meeting with China so much now.

Minister: China is an important neighbor, and Prime Minister Kan and Premier Wen confirmed their agreement to work toward improving our relations at ASEM. I therefore think that it would be good for our respective leaders to meet and hold a frank exchange of views in order to accelerate this process.

Inukai, Mainichi Newspapers: I have a question as a major premise. We have now been speaking about coordination between Japan and China, and between Japan and Russia; in short, does “coordinating” mean that no answer has been received whatsoever? Also, does it mean that you expect to coordinate tomorrow as well?

Minister: I understand the sentiments of the journalists. You asked me because this is about tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Since the question is what I would do if our positions were reversed, I would coordinate properly.

Inukai, Mainichi Newspapers: You did not explicitly mention the question of whether there has been no response. Can I understand that you are not in the position of having no response about Japan-China or Japan-Russia meeting?

Minister: If you wait until tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, I think that the schedule will be self-evident. I would therefore ask you to wait a little longer.

Inukai, Mainichi Newspapers: From your current demeanor, it seems that you are extremely positive about meetings being held. May I take your demeanor in this way?

Minister: As I said, if you wait until tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, you will know what the situation is.

Takahashi, Kyodo News: Regarding relations with Russia, you said that a summit meeting is being coordinated. You have said several times that you want to have a Foreign Minister’ meeting prior to a summit meeting, and you said that you would like to take that opportunity to state Japan’s position. What is the situation with such a meeting?

Minister: The APEC meeting is tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. You will know this if you wait a little longer.

Takahashi, Kyodo News: May I understand that no meeting has been set as of now?

Minister: It is about tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, as I said.

6. Leak of a Video showing a collision between Japanese coast guard vessels and a Chinese trawler

Kamide, Freelance: I have a question about the issue of the leak of the Senkaku video. Although this might be a matter relating to Minister Katayama, there is no opportunity to ask him. I attended the ITC Forum, which is involved in this matter, and asked experts about it. I think that this issue is now an issue of the obligation to maintain confidentiality, and the investigation will continue for some time. You have said that it should be handled strictly, as a criminal case. What do you think is the most important thing, given the overall situation?
I think that this leak must not lead to new Internet regulations; for example, do you think that there will be a move toward making people report their personal names at Internet cafes, or other regulations including this?

Minister: I am not speaking with the intention of the latter part of your question now. I was the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. I think that evidence in a criminal investigation must be managed strictly. I think that this is a matter of course, and that it is wrong that the video would be leaked in any form. I said that it should be investigated strictly amid those circumstances.

7. Opinion Poll (Cabinet Approval Rating)

Yoshioka, Jiji Press: I have two questions about the opinion poll conducted by Jiji Press from November 5th through 8th. The first question is this: the approval rating of the Kan cabinet has plummeted by 11.4% from the poll one month ago, to 27.8%. What is your analysis of the causes for this, and what is your reaction?
My second question is as follows: when this poll asked who would be a suitable next Prime Minister, you were the top, at 10.3%, which is nearly doubling your approval rating last time, of 5.8%. Meanwhile, those who responded “Prime Minister Kan” declined dramatically, from 26.9% to 8%. What is your reaction to the shift of support away from Prime Minister Kan, and toward you?

Minister: I am fully aware that some of the Japanese people are not satisfied with the government, due for example to the Senkaku issue. As I have said at an earlier press conference, diplomacy is truly difficult. For example, there are of course some things that one can say, and others that one cannot say. It is also very difficult to judge to what extent you can say. Although tough words or measures may temporarily be met with approval or encouragement from the Japanese people, in our work, results are everything. In this sense, I therefore would like the Japanese people to look into the results over the medium to long term, particularly when it comes to diplomacy, and not the short-term rise or fall of the approval ratings. We need to be accountable but with diplomacy, there are things that I can say, and others that I cannot say. There are more of what I cannot say than what I can say. I think, however, that this will definitely be positive for our national interests over the medium to long term. I will work hard, and give my all, to gain the understanding of the Japanese people within the scope of what I can say.

Yoshioka, Jiji Press: Could you answer my second question, please?

Minister: The results are everything, including the rise and fall of approval ratings. I continue to put all my energy into doing the job that has been given to me.

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