Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > October 5, 2012

(* 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: Friday, October 5, 2012, 10:56 a.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

  1. Japan-North Korea consultations
  2. Ministerial Meeting on Okinawa
  3. Japan-China relations
  4. Japan-North Korea consultations
  5. Japan-China relations
  6. Takeshima issue
  7. Deployment of the Osprey to Japan
  8. Takeshima issue
  9. Deployment of the Osprey to Japan
  10. Senkaku Islands

1. Japan-North Korea consultations

Otani, NHK: There are some reports that during the Japanese-North Korea preliminary consultations in August, officials from the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue of the Cabinet Secretariat visited China and independently contacted the North Korean side. Will you explain what actually happened? And if it did occur, there are some who suggest that this may be viewed as double-channel diplomacy. How does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognize the situation?

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: It would be better for me not to comment on works done by the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is naturally liaising with all relevant ministries and agencies. However, it is also a matter of course that there are discussions on whether it is appropriate for MOFA and the Headquarters to share 100% of confidential information. Having said that, all the information converges in the Prime Minister’s Office, and I believe what is important is that we address the abduction issue under the unified orders from the Prime Minister.

Otani, NHK: Were there any explanations given from the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue to MOFA?

Minister Gemba: Obviously, we are communicating in various ways. As I just mentioned, because all information converges in the Prime Minister’s Office, it is important that we address this abduction issue based on the unified instructions.

2. Ministerial Meeting on Okinawa

Otani, NHK: The Ministerial Meeting on Okinawa was held at the Prime Minister’s Office today. What topics were presented by MOFA and were there any new instructions from the Prime Minister?

Minister Gemba: The Prime Minister did not attend today’s meeting. As there were some new Cabinet members, we exchanged our views on the reduction of the burden on Okinawa, the revitalization of the Okinawa economy, and other issues. I myself commented on various issues, but since the Chief Cabinet Secretary is scheduled to give the overview on today’s meeting, I will refrain from making any more comments.

3. Japan-China relations

Nikaido, Asahi Shimbun: Some Chinese Navy vessels navigated from the East China Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Will MOFA respond to this in some way? And please also offer your views on this matter.

Minister Gemba: The vessels did not enter Japanese territorial waters or violate any domestic or international law. I believe this sort of incident has occurred seven or eight times in the past and so on a personal level, I do not believe this act was specifically in relation to the China’s own assertion on the Senkaku Islands.

4. Japan-North Korea consultations

Sugimoto, Sankei Shimbun: On the Japan-North Korea consultations issue raised earlier, is it your recognition that criticisms of double-channel diplomacy where two contact points exists on the Japanese side for the single North Korea counterpart are not correct?

Minister Gemba: Since all information converges in the Prime Minister’s Office, it is my recognition that we are addressing the issue under unified instructions.

Sugimoto, Sankei Shimbun: You mentioned that you are liaising with the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue, but was MOFA informed that a meeting by the personnel of the Headquarters will take place at that timing and place beforehand?

Minister Gemba: I do not believe I should comment in detail on the internal communication, particularly with regard to our contact with North Korea. Naturally we are sharing information with relevant agencies, but that is not necessarily 100% of the information, and even MOFA may not always communicate 100% of the information it has with other government agencies, and vice versa, especially as we deal with extremely delicate situations and confidential information. However, I can assure you that at the end the Prime Minister’s Office collects all related information. For example, the Prime Minister may request the shouldering of responsibilities among different government agencies or may decide to assign it to a single agency. That is why I believe the unified instructions from the Prime Minister are important, as I also mentioned the other day.

5. Japan-China relations

Lee, Hong Kong Phoenix TV: Almost a month has passed since Japan nationalized the Senkaku Islands. As the friction between Japan and China is continuing to deepen, most of the large-scale cultural exchange programs have been cancelled or postponed. What is the Japanese Government’s view on the breakthrough in this situation?

Minister Gemba: As I have consistently mentioned, regarding this issue, we must not lose the broad perspective and at the same time although there are matters which are non-negotiable, I believe we must continue to pursue the possibilities for the peaceful calming down of the situation. I believe both Japan and China should calmly address the situation and make efforts not to inhibit cultural or personnel exchanges, economic relations, or the overall stable development of the two countries.

Gomi, Tokyo Shimbun: How close are you to deciding the successor of the current Japanese ambassador to China?

Minister Gemba: It is under coordination. I will not comment on personnel matters.

6. Takeshima issue

Ito, Yomiuri Shimbun: Yesterday, a number of foreign media members, including major media outlets, landed on Takeshima with the assistance of the Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK). How will the Government of Japan respond to this issue?

Minister Gemba: Since this act is in conflict with the position held by Japan, we have lodged a protest.

7. Deployment of the Osprey to Japan

Matsuura, Yomiuri Shimbun: Early next week, the Governor of Okinawa will visit Tokyo for a meeting with you on the issue of the Osprey. Will you explain what efforts you as the Foreign Minister or MOFA hope to make to gain the understanding of the people of Okinawa?

Minister Gemba: Yesterday, the Japan-US Joint Committee meeting was in session and I requested that the agreement made at the Japan-U.S Joint Committee be observed. We have not yet collected sufficient cases on the Osprey, but as I mentioned earlier on, I believe there is a necessity to carefully follow up the matters, and that is all in all what is important. In fact I actually have a personal idea on this issue, but it is too early for me to present it to you.

Sugimoto, Sankei Shimbun: You mentioned earlier your hope for the compliance of the Japan-U.S. agreement. Is this request for compliance based on the recognition that the agreement is currently not observed or that a possibility of non-observance exists? Was this the reason for your request?

Minister Gemba: Because there are such opinions, and in a sense, since we have not collected sufficient cases, and also because there are such voices in Okinawa, our side stated in the committee yesterday to carefully comply with the agreement. I believe we must collect more cases and follow up on the matters.

8. Takeshima issue

Ando, Hokkaido Shimbun: Yesterday, a South Korean television reported that an aircraft from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force entered the South Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and flew over Takeshima. It was reported that the ROK Government lodged a protest concerning this act to the Government of Japan in September. Has MOFA confirmed the facts?

Minister Gemba: I do not believe that any warning was given by the ROK. The ADIZ is defined based on domestic law. Regarding the search and rescue activities in the high sea extending to Vladivostok, as far as I am aware, we have never received any warnings and I have been told that there was some inquiry for the purpose.

Ando, Hokkaido Shimbun: My understanding is that Japan has agreed to submit a plan prior to an entry to the ROK side. Isn’t that so?

Minister Gemba: Is that so? Is there a rule of that sort?

Ando, Hokkaido Shimbun: Are you implying that there was no recognition of entering the ADIZ as South Korea is claiming?

Minister Gemba: Is there a rule that we must definitely notify those things beforehand?

Ando, Hokkaido Shimbun: It was my understanding that Japan had made such commitment to the ROK. Is this not the case?

Minister Gemba: Based on my recollection, at least the ADIZ obviously exists. However, we did not receive any warnings but the matter was that there was an inquiry for that purpose. I do not believe it was especially a significant issue.

9. Deployment of the Osprey to Japan

Nishikawa, TBS: On the issue of the Osprey, did you request as the Minister for Foreign Affairs the observance of the agreement made at the Japan-US Joint Committee?

Minister Gemba: I myself did not mention that in the Japan-US Joint Committee, but the meeting is currently in session.

10. Senkaku Islands

Lee, Hong Kong Phoenix TV: On the Senkaku Islands issue, it’s been told that the Japanese Government plans to promote international PR activities. What specific initiatives are being planned?

Minister Gemba: The answer to that question will be the same as what I have consistently mentioned. We will clearly and steadily communicate the position held by Japan through our diplomatic missions abroad. In my view, publishing newspaper advertisements in the same way as other countries, or considering those options will not be the case. If need arises, or if there is a genuine necessity, we may implement that sort of initiatives, but that is not under consideration at this point.

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