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(* 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, November 13, 2012, 8:47 a.m.
Place: In the Diet

Main topics:

  1. Domestic political issues
  2. Japan-North Korea Director-General-level consultations

1. Domestic political issues

Kikuchi, Nippon Television: There are prevailing views that we will see the dissolution of the Diet by the end of the year. What is your expectation at the moment?

Minister Gemba: This is, as I always say, a matter of Prime Minister Noda on his own responsibility. I have nothing more to say on that.

Kikuchi, Nippon Television: Does his word "in the near future" mean "by the end of the year" to you?

Minister Gemba: Concerning the timing of the dissolution, I am not in a position to make a comment.

2. Japan-North Korea Director-General-level consultations

Ohtani, NHK: Japan-North Korea consultations between Director-General-level personnel will start the day after tomorrow. Please tell us your expectations for these consultations, including as to whether the abduction issue will be taken up.

Minister Gemba: That is something I believe we must deal with tenaciously. Unless we work on this over a number of meetings, we will not reach a convincing conclusion. I will handle the issue with the attitude that I just mentioned.

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