(* 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, February 10, 2012, 8:25 a.m.
Place: In the Diet
Main topics:
- Opening Remarks - TPP
- Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan
1. Opening Remarks - TPP
Minister Gemba: With regard to the TPP issue, I have been informed that the Japanese delegation consisting of officials from the relevant ministries had met with their Singaporean counterparts on February 9, Thursday in Singapore to discuss our participation in the TPP negotiation and had collected information related to the TPP negotiation.
We must wait for their return to Japan to have the detailed reports, but so far I have been told that the consultation held in Singapore was a very positive one as a whole. The Singaporean government has just announced that they welcome our interest in the TPP negotiation. Thus, it is my understanding that the Singaporean government is basically supportive of our participation.
The consultation with Malaysia is scheduled for February 10 and, as before, we will be announcing the results of consultation once we have them examined.
2. Realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan
Takeuchi, TBS: About the Iwakuni base issue, both the governor and the mayor of the local government said that they would freeze the housing land sale to the government for dependents of U.S. military unless the government shows that there is no transfer of U.S. Marines to Iwakuni base. What is your view on that?
Minister Gemba: As I have been reiterating, this issue is not taken up at the consultation table. As you know, the Iwakuni base is to accommodate 59 carrier-borne aircraft to be transferred from the Atsugi base and also KC-130 tankers from the Futenma base. So, that is the current status, including the planned transfer to Guam, but this issue is not under discussion.
Takeuchi, TBS: I understand that the governor and the mayor will be visiting Tokyo next week. Will you explain the situation to them?
Minister Gemba: If they come, I will explain to them the situation that the issue is not being discussed.
Takeuchi, TBS: They seem to think that your remark that this issue is not being discussed connotes the remaining possibility of transfer to the Iwakuni base. How do you respond to that?
Minister Gemba: I have already told you everything I can.
Yoshioka, NHK: About the return of the land south of the Kadena base to Okinawa, I understand that this issue is to be discussed separately from the reversion of land used by the Futenma base. At the same time, can we understand that you don’t have any outlook as to what the result of the discussion will be?
Minister Gemba: As I mentioned yesterday, and I am being honest with you, we are planning to implement where we can. After all, this is a matter that is related to the composition of military units. The Makiminato Service Area, also known as the Camp Kinser, and the “Industrial Corridor” are the areas which the Okinawa has earnestly demanded their return. Other U.S. military presence in Okinawa includes a military port in Naha, the army facilities and the Camp Kuwae. As the composition of the U.S. military units will be finalized in a few months time, “from where”, “to what extent” and “in what order” the return is to be made will be determined in due course of time. As you know, since the number of the U.S. Marines stationed in Okinawa will decrease, it will consequently promote the return of land. So, we will work out the details, including this issue, over the next few months. We will start with what we can, with priority given to reducing the burden on people in Okinawa.
Yoshioka, NHK: Regarding the deployment of military units that you have just mentioned, I think there will be a major difference in the outcome depending on whether it is the headquarters or the operational units that will remain in Okinawa. Has there been any consultation on this matter?
Minister Gemba: This is a matter which has yet to be discussed. On the question of whether it is the headquarters or the operational units that will remain in Okinawa, we are going to conduct the discussion so that, including the deterrence factor, the outcome will contribute to Japan’s security, thereby ensuring deterrent force for our security. At the same time, we need to work hard toward the return of land to the south of the Kadena base.
Okada, Chugoku Shimbun: There is something I would like you to clarify concerning the Iwakuni base. You mentioned earlier that you were aware of the status quo regarding the realignment plan of the Iwakuni base. Are we to understand that the Japanese government has no intention of bringing up this issue at the consultation table even when the U.S. strongly demanded the transfer to Iwakuni?
Minister Gemba: I am afraid, but I am answering your questions as much as I can. As I mentioned earlier, this matter is not being discussed. I am aware of the current status of the Iwakuni issue, by which I mean its status following the realignment.
Okada, Chugoku Shimbun: The Japanese government has not made it clear whether or not it had been sounded out by the U.S. government on this matter.
Minister Gemba: Excuse me, but I cannot tell you more than I already have.
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