Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > October 9, 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: Tuesday, October 9, 2012, 11:28 a.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

  1. Deployment of the Osprey to Japan
  2. Negotiations with the DPRK
  3. Ministerial Meeting on Okinawa
  4. Japan-Taiwan relations

1. Deployment of the Osprey to Japan

Ohtani, NHK: A meeting between Governor Hirokazu Nakaima of Okinawa Prefecture and the relevant Cabinet members was held at the Prime Minister's Office earlier. What topics were addressed by Governor Nakaima, and how did the ministers answer these questions? Were there any specific topics that you gave an answer to?

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: One of the issues discussed was the operation of the Osprey. In addition, I explained the progress of the issue of returning the land south of Kadena. In terms of the Osprey issue, in response to the criticism from the people of Okinawa that the agreement reached at the Japan-U.S Joint Committee does not seem to have been fully observed, I explained that if there is such a case, I will make sure to follow up by holding Japan-U.S. Joint Committee meetings.

I am not going to mention the detail of what Governor Nakaima said, but it was mentioned that separating the package has a significant meaning. This is very true, and I explained that I would like to make the utmost effort to make steady progress on the return of the land south of Kadena, taking into account the requirements of Okinawa Prefecture and the related cities, towns and villages, in order to visually reduce the burden of Okinawa.

Ohtani, NHK: Getting back to the operation of the Osprey, did the governor start the argument that the agreement made by the Japan-U.S Joint Committee has not been observed?

Minister Gemba: This issue was actually included in the written request, so I guess it was also submitted to Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. My previous comment was based on this fact.

2. Negotiations with the DPRK

Nikaido, Asahi Shimbun: There have been some media reports that a director-general level meeting will be held with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) as early as this month. Could you tell us if the reports are true, and what is your plan to approach this issue?

Minister Gemba: To tell the conclusion first, it is still under coordination. As you know, in the previous director-level meeting, it was agreed that a wide range of issues that are of the interest for both Japan and the DPRK would be addressed. Since then, we have been coordinating a director-general level meeting. Needless to say, there are various issues, and some of which are of the interest for Japan, and others for the DPRK. However, I think it is necessary to promote coordination with a perspective of achieving a certain result.

Nogami, Asahi Shimbun: Some media outlets reported that the Government of the DPRK replied that they wanted to hold a director-general level meeting in the middle of October.

Minister Gemba: It is still under coordination.

3. Ministerial Meeting on Okinawa

Matsuura, Yomiuri Shimbun: With regard to the Ministerial Meeting on Okinawa, I believe that there were talks on the promotion of Okinawa. Could you tell us about it?

Minister Gemba: There were talks on the promotion of Okinawa, and I made remarks on that issue, but I think I should refrain from commenting on this. I believe it would be more appropriate for other cabinet members who are particularly deeply involved in this issue such as the Chief Cabinet Secretary to comment on this, so I would like to refrain from making comments.

However, needless to say, the self-sustaining development of Okinawa is extremely important. We will make utmost efforts to this end, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and I as the Minister for Foreign Affairs intend to extend full support.

4. Japan-Taiwan relations

Sugimoto, Sankei Shimbun: With regard to the relations with Taiwan, there are reports that Japan hopes to resume negotiations for a fisheries agreement, but on the other hand, China is poised to form a united front with Taiwan over the issue of the Senkaku Islands. Amidst such a situation, could you tell us how you would like to handle the issues related to Japan-Taiwan relations, including the fisheries agreement negotiation?

Minister Gemba: With regard to what you just mentioned about the current Japan-Taiwan relations – these are working relations on a non-governmental basis based on the Japan-China Joint Communique of 1972 – I intended and tried to send a message on the current and future Japan-Taiwan relations. I am of the opinion that the current situation should not harm the friendly relations between Japan and Taiwan, and I would like to ensure that Japan-Taiwan relations will be maintained in a friendly manner.

As for the discussions on the fisheries agreement which was just mentioned, I expect that the discussions will also be resumed at an early date, and constructive talks and exchange of opinions will take place.

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