(* 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 Koichiro Gemba

Date: Tuesday, September 6, 2011, 4:28 p.m.
Place: MOFA Press Conference Room

Main topics:

Opening Remarks
- (1) Visit to Japan by President Santos of the Republic of Colombia
- (2) Remarks on Abduction Issue at Group Interview
- (3) Power Rate Hike (Omitted)
Japan-China Relations
Ministerial Meeting over Futenma Relocation
Diet-related Matter (Omitted)
Power Rate Hike (Omitted)
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
Thoughts on Overseas Visits
Information Dissemination as a Countermeasure against Harmful Rumors
Remarks on Abduction Issue at Group Interview

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Visit to Japan by President Santos of the Republic of Colombia

Minister Gemba: President Santos of the Republic of Colombia will pay a working visit to Japan from Sunday, September 11 to Wednesday, September 14, accompanied by his spouse. During their stay in Japan, President and Mrs. Santos are scheduled to have an audience with Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan. President Santos will also meet with Mr. Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister of Japan. President Santos' visit is expected to further strengthen friendly relations between Japan and the Republic of Colombia, which possesses rich natural resources and high economic potential in the Latin America region.

(2) Remarks on Abduction Issue at Group Interview

Minister: I might have made a misleading response about the solution of the abduction issue when I was commenting on it or was answering a question about it at yesterday's group interview. Therefore, I would like to add one thing. What I meant is that I would like to do my best on the assumption that all abductees, whose safety is presently unknown, are alive. Please do not let me be misunderstood in this respect.

(3) Power Rate Hike (Omitted)

- (Omitted)

2. Japan-China Relations

Yoshioka, NHK: I would like to ask a question about Japan-China relations. It will have been one year tomorrow since the incident involving the collision with the Chinese fishing boat off the Senkaku Islands. Negotiations over the gas field have been suspended, and Japan-China relations have remained quite strained since then. I would like to know what improvements you are going to make in this regard. To be concrete, I would like to know if you are planning to have summit talks with China over the phone or bilateral talks at the UN General Assembly in New York at the end of the month. Under the shuttle diplomacy program, it is the Japanese leader's turn to visit China this year. I would like to ask your outlook.

Minister: As you mentioned, the Senkaku incident occurred exactly one year ago. As I said yesterday in the group interview, I am thinking of the possibility of constructing a multi-layered mechanism for crisis management that will prevent the occurrence of misunderstandings between Japan and China. But public sentiment is also important. In that connection, MOFA is now considering a program called the KIZUNA Project involving substantial youth exchange. Though this is a low-profile initiative, I think it will be very important in the long run. In addition, a direct dialogue between the top leaders or a meeting between foreign ministers is necessary as a matter of course. As you probably imagine, we are thinking of arrangements with various matters taken into account. Incidentally, next year Japan and China will mark the 40th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Accordingly, as pointed out previously, I would like to consider again what kinds of improvements in public sentiment would be possible in view of the situation.

Shimoe, Kyodo News: I have a question about the crisis management mechanism. We understood that former Prime Minister Kan and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao agreed to build such a mechanism at an early date when they met at the Japan-China Summit Meeting in May. Though several months have passed since then, it does not seem that the construction of the mechanism is making progress. Please tell us about the concrete progress of the mechanism, if any, or otherwise please tell us how you are going to develop the plan concretely.

Minister: As you mentioned, the point is the materialization of the plan. As I said at yesterday's group interview, the effectiveness of a hotline depends on when, where, and who will answer the phone. Therefore, we must decide details concretely, which we are now doing. In other words, it would be meaningless to set up the crisis management mechanism like hotlines in the past and leave it at that. Therefore, officials of both countries are now discussing how to construct a practical mechanism that will function sufficiently.

Shimoe, Kyodo News: On August 24, almost one year after the Senkaku incident, Chinese ships violated Japan's territorial waters. I recall that it was the first such violation since 2008. What steps are you taking to prevent this from happening again?

Minister: I think the recent violation of our territorial waters was a very regrettable situation. That is why the construction of the mechanism that I mentioned a while ago is essential. At the same time, this is not a matter of concern only in the East China Sea but also a matter of international concern in other areas including the South China Sea. As a matter of course, we should make international rules that all countries including China should abide by. I consider this to be a very important issue.

3. Ministerial Meeting over Futenma Relocation

Inukai, Mainichi Newspapers: In your interview yesterday, it seems that you said that you had approached the Chief Cabinet Secretary about holding a ministerial meeting over Futenma relocation. I understand that this was a topic at the Chief Cabinet Secretary's press conference this morning as well. Separately, there have been media reports raising the possibility of the establishment of a new format for ministerial conferences on this issue. Until now I believe these discussions have taken place at a so-called conference of ministers concerned. Can you please tell us the difference between such a conference and the reported new format and what the latter would consist of? Also, could you tell us what you proposed to the Chief Cabinet Secretary and when you expect to hold these consultations?

Minister: I believe that the Chief Cabinet Secretary said today that he would like to hold a meeting regardless of whether it is a formal one or informal one. I think that it is sufficient to make use of the existing conference of ministers concerned. However, in my personal opinion, Mr. Maehara and perhaps Mr. Edano and other former foreign ministers are real assets who have a track record of building trust. Mr. Maehara continues to hold an official post in the party. I previously served as the DPJ Chair of the Policy Research Committee, at which time I formally attended only the last meeting of such a conference of ministers concerned. It will be better if it is possible to establish a format that will further strengthen the previous conference of ministers concerned. I personally think that it would be great to start exchanging various opinions informally, then formalize that format as the next stage.

Inukai, Mainichi Newspapers: First, I would like to confirm if you are going to develop this into a conference attended by leaders of the DPJ. Second, I would like to ask you one more question about your visit to Okinawa. To be honest, I do not think that you have been deeply involved in Okinawa issues until now. Given your background, please tell us how you are going to seek understanding and deepen trust with Okinawa.

Minister: It goes without saying that I would like to visit Okinawa at an appropriate time.
In response to your suggestion that,I have not been involved in Okinawa issues, first of all, when I was the DPJ Chair of the Policy Research Committee, I was not completely uninvolved with Okinawa. What's more, during my second term I headed the Foreign Affairs Committee for three years, and during that period I went to Okinawa several times and visited Futenma and Kadena as a matter of course. Therefore, it would be wrong to assume that I am totally unfamiliar with the area. From now on, however, my relationships of trust with the key players―or, if that expression is inappropriate, maybe I should say responsible people―will be very important. I would like to talk with them earnestly and sincerely in the interest of building relations based on trust as soon as possible.

Ida, Shukan Kinyobi: I would like to hear your basic understanding of Okinawa with regard to the relocation of Futenma Air Station.
In yesterday's interview, you mentioned that reducing the burden on Okinawa is so important that you will face with Okinawan people earnestly and sincerely even if it means getting“stepped on or kicked around.”
Please clarify what you really meant by this expression. It makes it sound as if Okinawa is the assailant and you are the victim. I am not trying to take your words out of context, but I think it relates to a basic problem in understanding. I think that the Okinawan people feel it is deeply unfair that 74% of U.S. troops stationed in Japan stay in Okinawa, which accounts for only 0.6% of Japan's entire land, and they see this as a case of structural discrimination. I would like to hear your true intensions.
I have a related question. In your interview on August 2, you mentioned that it is important to have an accurate understanding of the situation at hand. Then-Foreign Minister Okada mentioned at a press conference on February 23, 2010 that he was studying up on Okinawa by reading a book about the 1609 invasion of the Ryukyu Kingdom by the feudal domain of Satsuma. Former Prime Minister Kan once said that he was studying up on Okinawa by reading a historical novel about the annexation of Ryukyu by Japan in 1879. When you want to gain insight into the situation in Okinawa, are you going to follow the same approach as Mr. Okada or Mr. Kan, for example, or do you have any other ideas?

Minister: I talked about being“stepped on or kicked around,”but I do not think that most people interpreted my words to mean I had victims or assailants in mind. In other words, I meant that, even if my position is difficult, we must not flinch when it comes to facing criticism and listening to whatever people have to say.
It is certain that one can learn things from a novel. I have read several novels and books about Okinawa, though I do not remember the titles. At the same time, I think it is important to meet various people and ask them about the situation in Okinawa. I have already started doing this over the phone, and I think I must meet such individuals in person and listen sincerely to their views of the situation.

4. Diet-related Matter (Omitted)

- (Omitted)

5. Power Rate Hike (Omitted)

- (Omitted)

6. Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

Ikegawa, NHK: I have a question about the TPP. You said at a press conference the other day that you would make a decision about the government’s policy on joining negotiations for the TPP in the near future, while building up the agricultural sector. APEC ministerial and summit meetings are scheduled for this November. You say you want to make a decision as soon as possible, but I think you have to take account of the timing of negotiations for the TPP. Now that Mr. Hachiro has been named Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and Mr. Kano has stayed on as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, I think that the three of you will be the new team that makes the decision about whether to join negotiations for a TPP, triangulating so to speak. Do you think you should make such a decision by the time of the APEC meetings?

Minister: First of all, the government made a broad policy decision last November to pursue high-level economic partnerships with other countries. This policy was made in conjunction with our party in fact. Though most other countries have covered 90% or more of their tariff lines in such trade agreements, in the case of Japan that figure has until now been on the order of 80%. It is meaningful that we decided as a first step to raise that to 90%, as I said previously.

As to our approach to the TPP, we still think that an effective process is to keep our sights on the TPP while moving forward with high-level economic cooperation with other countries on bilateral basis and then make a decision on participating in negotiations for the TPP. But after we suffered the earthquake on March 11, I think part of the problem is that unfortunately we have not had enough time for such a process.
In any case, as far as agriculture in concerned, particularly for livestock and wheat, I said previously that we as a nation would build an agricultural sector supported by all Japanese people. I have spoken about this before, but in 1992 an EU Farm Commissioner named MacSharry made an innovation in EU agricultural policy with the introduction of the direct payment system. If I am correct, in the EU around 70% is paid directly to farmers, and even in the U.S. the rate is 40%. I think in Japan it had been 23%, but after we introduced the individual income support system, the rate is probably now near to 40% in our country.
So, we will advocate firmly to introduce a full-fledged direct payment system. Such a system could be set up within one fiscal year, and as a practical matter negotiations to join the TPP would last more than a year. Even if such negotiations finished early, the implementation of the results of the negotiations would take longer. In other words, even if the negotiations finished early, actual liberalization would take longer. That will leave enough time to build up the agricultural sector, namely by promoting a more export-oriented “aggressive agriculture.” So I think we will be able to open a way for an early decision on joining TPP negotiations by following firmly such a process.
I would like to coordinate views within the government on the prospects going forward and see where we stand in September or November.

Ikegawa, NHK: Can I take that to mean that your thinking is to have the government make some kind of decision by November?

Minister: First, we need to analyze all the information about the TPP itself, or perhaps I should say gain better situational awareness. Many people might be operating on the underlying premise that everything will come together by November, but I think the current situation won’t allow it. So, while gathering all the relevant facts we have to decide the appropriate time for a decision. I do think that should happen as early as possible. I also think that it is good for us to participate in rule-making.
But as I said a while ago, we need to obtain a certain consensus in Japan and finally we will have to seek ratification by the Diet. Naturally, ratification will come only after the results of the negotiations are clear. As we get a clearer picture of these prospects, I think that by November we may be able to reach a decision on articulating a position.

7. Thoughts on Overseas Visits

Mukai, Yomiuri Shimbun: I have two questions. First, I want to ask you about your thoughts on your official trips overseas. In September, a meeting of the General Assembly of the U.N. is scheduled to be held. Many Japanese foreign ministers in the past visited the U.S. as their first official visits overseas. Are you now thinking of visiting other foreign countries by the end of September or to visit the U.S. first? This is my first question.
Second, you talked a while ago about the format of ministerial meetings on the Futenma problem. I think you were speaking from the standpoint of your past experience as the DPJ Chair of the Policy Research Committee and minister too National Policy. Now that the DPJ Policy Research Committee of the Democratic Party is reviewing its functions and whether the committee chairman should take part in the government’s diplomatic policy-making, isn’t there a fear that the control tower of nation’s diplomacy will be splintered? How do you respond?

Minister: As to your first question about my official visits to foreign countries, naturally I will be present at the meeting of General Assembly of the U.N. I am now thinking about visits to foreign countries before or after that meeting. I would just like to say one thing on this note. I would like to visit foreign countries as far as possible before the extraordinary session of the Diet during which the full-fledged deliberations of the third supplementary budget will take place, that is to say, not the session at which Prime Minister will make his first policy speech but the session during which the third extra budget is presented to the Diet and discussed. However, I do not know when that session will be convened.

Next, on the format of the meetings of ministers concerned with the Futenma problem, what I said a while ago represents my personal opinion that it would be better to make use of the experience of former ministers and view them as assets. To expand on that, I am even thinking of making use of such assets in the opposition parties. What is important is that we determine the right way to bring together and take advantage of these assets. It is problematic to discussing issues related to Futenma at random without context. For instance, there’s going to be confusion if somebody who isn’t part of such a ministerial conference goes off making statements and meeting people in Okinawa . So in order to unify views, I personally think that it is rather desirable that the concerned ministers gather together at the same meeting.

8. Information Dissemination as a Countermeasure against Harmful Rumors

Nanao, Nikoniko Doga: In connection with the earthquake on March 11, according to some reports, at the German Embassy in Tokyo now, about ten positions are vacant including such senior ones as counselor. It is said that German diplomats now do not wish to be assigned to Japan out of fear of being contaminated by radioactivity due to the accident at the reactor in Fukushima.
At the press conference the other day, you referred to the problem of literacy in the world about radioactivity and said you would disseminate correct information at international conferences and so forth in the future. In light of the case of the German Embassy and your comments in the past about promoting Japan as a brand, do you have any ideas about strengthening countermeasures further in the future?

Minister: You made a very good point. As for the report about the German Embassy, if it is true I think it is a very unfortunate story.
Simply put, instead of just coming up with some steps to counter these harmful rumors, I think we should be really strengthening such measures continuously. Of course these efforts will involve Japan’s overseas diplomatic missions. But if necessary I think we must also communicate with foreign embassies in Tokyo and provide correct information to them.

9. Remarks on Abduction Issue at Group Interview

Saito, Kyodo News: In reference to your opening statement concerning a comment you made about the abduction issue at the group interview, if you are quoted differently at each group interview then it may lead to problems. I wasn’t present at the interview in question. To clear away misunderstanding, would you tell us the questions and answers that you wish to modify as best you can recall; for example, “I said this, but I meant to say that.” Can you please lay out the points that you want to modify to avoid misunderstanding about what you meant? Would you please provide a clarification?

Minister: At a meeting of sub-committee of the so-called Diplomacy and Security Research Council of the Democratic Party there was a question about the definition of the resolution of the abduction issue. I answered the question as a minister. After reading media reports on that meeting this morning, though I haven’t gone through them in detail, I thought my answer might cause a misunderstanding. Needless to say, my position on this issue has not changed: I will aim to safely secure all abducted people and return them immediately to Japan as well as pursuing the true facts on the abductions. As I said a while ago, at the same time I will spare no effort while proceeding on the premise that the abducted people whose welfare and whereabouts are unknown are all still alive. I think what I said at the sub-committee meeting might cause a misunderstanding, and to make sure I added a few words on this point at the beginning of this conference.

Saito, Kyodo News: Can I understand that what you have just said is the government’s position on the definition put forward by the Democratic Party on the resolution of the issue?

Minister: That’s fine.

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