(* 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 Fumio Kishida

Date: Thursday, December 27, 2012, 1:38 a.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Japan-China relations
Realignment of the U.S. Forces Japan
Japan-Russia relations
Takeshima and the right to collective self-defense
Realignment of the U.S. Forces Japan
Takeshima issue
Issues related to North Korea
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

1. Japan-China relations

Oikawa, NHK: I would like to ask two questions concerning Japan-China relations. First, there are concerns and opinions in China that the birth of the Abe administration reflects a shift to the right in the light of Prime Minister’s recognition of the history. My question is, in such circumstances, whether improvement in Japan-China relations becomes easier or more difficult. The second question is that as you have stressed the importance of communication with foreign ministers of other countries, do you plan to visit China or hold a foreign ministers’ meeting from such a viewpoint?

Minister Kishida: Concerning the influence of the birth of the Abe administration on Japan-China relations, first of all, I recognize Japan-China relations as important bilateral relations and that Japan and China are in a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests". In such conditions, there also exists the vital issue of territory and sovereignty. While I think we need to take a firm stance concerning the issue of territory and sovereignty, we must communicate with each other to keep such precious bilateral relations. This is also true. I think we need to response from a broad, comprehensive and strategic perspective in such diplomatic relations, and we also need to ask China to response firmly and calmly. I would like to lead the birth of the new administration to the enhancement of positive bilateral relations.

Then, for that purpose, I think we need to consider a foreign ministers’ meeting and other measures. However, concerning the timing, because the meeting is bilateral and we also need to make necessary adjustments with the diplomatic schedule of the Prime Minister, I would like to discuss and consider a specific schedule and other matters later.

Matsumoto, Jiji Press: You have expressed the idea of taking a firm stance concerning territorial issues. The Liberal Democratic Party’s campaign pledges spell out the stationing of public officials in the Senkaku Islands. I would like to ask how you will treat this stationing. Moreover, it is expected that the Chinese side will be offended by the stationing of public officials. What are your thoughts on this expectation?

Minister Kishida: I would like to thoroughly consider the specific methods of how to maintain and manage the Senkaku Islands. I think we need to take appropriate measures to review what types of specific methods would be appropriate and whether those methods are of our national interests. So, concerning the substance, we need to coordinate with relevant ministries and we would like to properly consider that.

2. Realignment of the U.S. Forces Japan

Miyagi, Ryukyu Shimpo: I have two questions. The first one is your policy concerning the relocation of the Futenma Air Station of the U.S. Forces Japan and your plan for a solution to this issue. The second question is, as a result of a spate of incidents caused by U.S. servicemen, voices from the people of Okinawa requesting a revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) have been increasing. Do you have any thoughts about requesting a revision to the U.S. government?

Minister Kishida: First, concerning the realignment of the U.S. Forces Japan, we must maintain and strengthen deterrence. On the other hand, we must reduce its impact on the people of Okinawa. We must cope with these two issues together. In other words, while maintaining and strengthening deterrence, we reduce the impact on the people of Okinawa. I think that is the basic policy. Taking this into account, I think Futenma should never be a permanent base. I was looking closely at the process and communications the former government had initiated, and it makes me feel the necessity to begin with listening carefully to the voices of the people of Okinawa and building trust with them.

On your second question concerning a revision of the SOFA, I recognize that there were some improvements in the implementation of the agreement. I think we need to consider how to address this issue in the future after proper confirmation and reviews of such improvements.

Miyagi, Ryukyu Shimpo: Concerning the relocation of the Futenma Air Station, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his thoughts of relocating it to Henoko, Nago City. What do you think about this?

Minister Kishida: While taking the policy the Prime Minister mentioned into consideration, first of all, we must once again build trust firmly. Otherwise we would not observe any progress. As I have mentioned earlier, this is my feeling after seeing the process taken by the former government. I think we need to begin with carefully listening to the voices of the people of Okinawa. Moreover, we need to pay special attention to the impact that those people have to bear. We will proceed with the relocation issue through an accumulation of such considerations and I think we must prevent Futenma from becoming a permanent base at any cost.

3. Japan-Russia relations

Ando, Hokkaido Shimbun: I would like to ask you about Japan-Russia relations. Prime Minister Abe expressed his aspiration to settle the territorial issue and conclude a peace treaty with Russia in his recent press conference. During the former administration, the former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda promised to visit Russia aiming to hold a summit meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Could you tell us your thoughts on the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) administration’s schedule for a visit to Russia? The former administration also promoted exchanges with Russia in the fields of economy and security to settle the Northern Territories issue. How will the LDP administration develop cooperation in economy and other fields to settle the territorial issue?

Minister Kishida: Concerning the Prime Minister’s visit to Russia, I remember that on December 18, Mr. Abe, who was then president of the LDP, said he would positively consider a visit to Russia. I have also learned that the former administration discussed the former Prime Minister’s visit to Russia in December. In light of the current situation, I think we need to consider the possibility, but we also need to coordinate with our counterparts. I haven’t heard that any specific schedule has been determined yet. Thus, I would like to make sure of progress on the coordination.

Concerning your question on how the current administration will deal with Japan-Russia relations, although there are various issues between the two countries, and the Northern Territories issue is one of the biggest challenges among them, Japan and Russia are important partners in this region. So, I think a broad perspective considering various issues of a wide variety of fields, such as economy and culture, including the Northern Territories issue, in order to pick them up and develop them, and finally deepen our relations with Russia, is important. That is, I think the idea of developing Japan-Russia relations from such a strategic and broad perspective is important.

4. Takeshima and the right to collective self-defense

Yoshida, Nishinippon Shimbun: The administration seems to be ready to independently institute the proceedings of the Takeshima issue before the International Court of Justice. What are your thoughts on this matter?

Second, on the topic of the right to collective self-defense, the Prime Minister mentioned at the last press conference that he would give priority to reaching an agreement with the coalition. Doesn’t the administration currently have any intention of changing the interpretation of the constitution with regard to allowing Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense?

Third, you have mentioned three pillars in diplomacy. However, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) administration had more or less the same three pillars. The LDP has been saying that the DPJ’s diplomatic policy failed. What aspects of the diplomatic approaches of the two parties are the same, and which ones are different?

Minister Kishida: First of all on the issue of Takeshima, we intend to resolve this matter calmly and peacefully in light of the law, and thus I believe that we have to examine how to make preparations to institute proceedings. I believe that going forward, we must evaluate the situation comprehensively and respond in an appropriate manner.

As for the issue of the right to collective self-defense, I believe that we must clearly respond to the security situation surrounding Japan in an appropriate manner. Our approach should be based on the discussions that took place at The Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security, which was initiated by the previous Abe Cabinet and reported to the Fukuda Cabinet. I intend to confirm the Prime Minister’s ideas about the right to collective self-defense, especially about how he would like to deal with this issue specifically. We will examine this matter while closely coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies.

As for your comment, the LDP used to say that the DPJ’s diplomatic policy failed but ours are almost the same, it is true that some of our goals may be similar to the ones that were sought under the DPJ administration. But one thing can be said that the DPJ was only concentrating on specific issues, say, relations between Japan and China, and relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) and thus lost sight of the overall situation. When it comes to grappling with those kinds of important bilateral relationships, such as the one with the United States or the ones with surrounding countries, the DPJ’s perspective seemed to be very limited. Perhaps the administration should have taken a broader perspective and thought about the international environment in the surrounding regions and other factors, and I believe that we must draw a lesson from this as we move forward. Most significantly, the relationship of trust with regard to the Japan-U.S. Alliance, our most important alliance, was damaged. In light of this, we need to be severely critical of the diplomacy under the DPJ administration. The LDP must avoid such failures. We intend to strengthen our diplomatic relations by centering on the Japan-U.S. Alliance, and will promote our diplomacy with our neighboring countries based on a broad and strategic perspective. We also intend to share our strategic perception with ASEAN, India, Australia, and other countries. I believe that this is the way along which Japan must proceed.

Furthermore, under the DPJ administration, the budget and number of personnel contributing to diplomacy have been reduced across the board. I am aware that some people have pointed this out. In order to revive Japan’s diplomacy properly, we need to focus on strengthening our diplomatic foundations again. I believe that we must learn from the failures of the previous administration with regard to this point as well.

5. Realignment of the U.S. Forces Japan

Kurashige, Asahi Shimbun: At the start of this press conference, you mentioned that the Prime Minister is eager to make a visit to the United States at an early date. Under the previous administration, the revisions to the environmental impact statement for the relocation to Henoko have been completed. Now the next step seems to be the land reclamation application to be carried out. Do you think it will be possible to submit that application by the end of January? What are your thoughts on reducing the impact on Okinawa, in relation to an outcome of the visit to the United States? Please share some specific details about this if possible.

Minister Kishida: I am sorry, but I do not know the specifics of the procedures and schedule regarding the application, so please allow me to confirm these later. As for the matter of reducing the impact, I previously served as the Minister of State for Okinawa. I believe that the local impacts on Okinawa are very broad. The impacts exist in a wide range from psychological ones to physical, specific ones. We will give careful thought to this matter, and respond to the situation sincerely. This kind of accumulation is important. We should not take a rough and simple approach of stating definitively what must be done to reduce the impact, but rather, we must handle this issue with care. This has always been my stance. I therefore intend to take a careful approach as I give consideration to this issue.

6. Takeshima issue

Fujiwara, Sanin Chuo Shimpo: I ask about the issue of sovereignty over Takeshima. In the case of Takeshima, the ROK seems to have effective control over the island. You mentioned that the administration intends to make an appropriate decision and is currently making preparations to independently institute proceedings before the ICJ. Does Japan have the option not to institute the proceedings? In the manifesto of the LDP, it was stated that government-sponsored ceremonies would be held, but I have heard that the government does not hold it any more in this coming February. What is your view on the public diplomacy about Takeshima issue, including the holding of such ceremonies?

Minister Kishida: First of all, as to your question of whether Japan has the option not to institute proceedings, we are currently examining this matter and making preparations. As for how we will put these preparations into practice, as I stated earlier, we will make a comprehensive judgment concerning this issue. Based on our comprehensive judgment, if it comes to not instituting proceedings, then we will view this as one outcome. Therefore, as I said, we will be making a comprehensive judgment and that will be all we can in this regard.

As for public diplomacy regarding “Takeshima Day,” we will be seriously examining this matter based on a variety of circumstances. I believe that public diplomacy, with the inclusion of this matter, is an issue that we must thoroughly address. There are various approaches and procedures that can be considered, with regard to the question of how we will let this issue know well to the people of Japan as a whole. At any rate, I believe that a very important point is that we must carry out forward-looking initiatives in this regard.

7. Issues related to North Korea

Saito, Kyodo News: With regard to the North Korea issues, I would like to ask two questions. Firstly, Japan is faced with the nuclear, missile, and abductions issues. What is your basic recognition regarding the way the Government will find a path toward the swift settlement of these issues?

Secondly, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made statements suggesting that given the choice of either pressure or dialogue, he is inclined to emphasize pressure. I would like to know your view about whether abductees will be able to return to Japan if further sanctions are imposed. At least so far, additional economic sanctions have not led to the rescue of abductees. What are the odds then that repeating these measures will lead to a settlement?

Minister Kishida: First, Japan must address the North Korea issues – the abductions, nuclear, missile, and other issues – bearing in mind discussions held at the Six-Party Talks or at the UN Security Council. The issues must be examined in coordination with the countries concerned. That is the nature of these issues.

And regarding your other question about pressure and dialogue, I believe both pressure and dialogue are important. With regard to the balance between them, a careful examination is needed on which approach will be most amicable for the national interests of Japan and the settlement of the issues. A moment ago, you suggested that the continuation of pressure did not lead to successful outcomes. If there are such indications, then these, too, must be reviewed. Our position is that the abductions issue must indeed be settled as quickly as possible. Furthermore, the national interests of Japan must be protected. With these as our objectives, we need to ceaselessly make realistic considerations about what the most effective responses are and what form our response should take.

8. Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

Tamai, The Japan Agricultural News: My question is concern about Japan’s participation in the TPP. You called it the “best way forward for the national interests of Japan.” However, there must be some sectors in Japan which will be affected by its participation in the TPP. What do you define as national interests? Also, what are your intentions regarding the process which will be pursued in determining the best way forward?

Minister Kishida: Japan’s national interests of course include agriculture and these various sectors which will be significantly affected. As I also stated earlier, to date the previous administration has dealt with this issue of how Japan should move forward in order to protect the sectors. We, the new administration, will strive to fully understand and verify the situation of consultations. Then, as I noted a short while ago, we will explore the best way forward for the national interests of Japan. I believe the process will follow this order. We will start by bearing in mind the result of the verification in considering concrete measures. I believe this is the order or the path which will be taken.

Back to Index