Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > June 6, 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: Wednesday, June 6, 2012, 3:08 p.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

  1. Question concerning Foreign Minister Gemba’s remarks at the Sophia Renaissance Series of Lectures
  2. Question concerning Japan-U.S. Relations
  3. Question concerning the Situation of the Republic of Korea (ROK)
  4. Question concerning return to Japan of a trainee at Japanese Embassy in China
  5. Question concerning the 12th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit Meeting
  6. Question concerning Foreign Minister Gemba’s remarks at the Sophia Renaissance Series of Lectures
  7. Question concerning the Situation of Syria
  8. Question concerning former Prime Minister Mori’s visit to Russia
  9. Question concerning the issue of North Korea
  10. Question concerning illegal activities by the secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo
  11. Question concerning former Prime Minister Mori’s visit to Russia

1. Question concerning Foreign Minister Gemba’s remarks at the Sophia Renaissance Series of Lectures

Ida, Shukankinyoubi: Minister, at Sophia University, you delivered a lecture, as put on Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. I have read the transcript of the lecture, ”The Future of Japanese Diplomacy” conducted as a part of Sophia Renaissance Series of Lectures on May 28.In the lecture, a student asked you a question: I think that you are busy for dealing with the diplomacy with neighboring countries, what is your view on leadership in a country with a sense of speed. Your response was as follows: It might be a bit different from the principle of Catholic Christianity. What species are strong as a person? Strong species are not necessarily strong person. What species? It is the species which continue to change adapting over time. Thus, I think that reform oriented species are strong.  I would like to know your true intention on your thought of “species”. I am asking this because “species” may lead to concept of eugenics or Nazism. In Japan, in the prewar period, there was sterilization law, and “species” may be taken as something similar to that. So minister, could you tell what was your true intention?

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: Thank you very much for reading the transcript of my lecture at Sophia University. I think that the question was concerning what was the ideal administration. I made three points in my response. One is that we have to say goodbye to populism. The second point is that we should aim for a certain level of reform. The third point is to establish stable administration. These are the three points that I have made. I have provided some explanation with regard to each of the three points.
I think what you have alluded to had to do with my words regarding pro-reform stance and Catholicism, which has to do with a theory of evolution of Darwin. Therefore, in connection with Darwin’s theory of evolution, I did mention about the Catholic religion. Darwin stated that the species which survive are actually not the strong species, but the species which are able to adapt themselves to the changing times. Therefore, this has nothing to do with Nazism.
When we think about the ideal administration, we have to be reform oriented to a certain extent at all times. So, we need to adapt to our times and I mentioned the importance of making such adaptation.

Ida, Shukankinyoubi: It might be taken that the species which are not able to adapt to the times, they can vanish. What do you think?

Minister Gemba: That was not my intent. The way that the administration ought to be is the context in which I made a comment that we need to adapt to the times.

2. Question concerning Japan-U.S. Relations

Yokota, Mainichi Shimbun: This morning, you met with Governor Kuroiwa of Kanagawa Prefecture. With regard to a liaison meeting of the government of Japan, the government of the U.S. and the municipalities which are the sites of bases, Governor Kuroiwa told that You had mentioned that the U.S. Government is taking hard line views beyond what you had expected. With regards to the liaison meeting, did you mean that the U.S. side is rather hesitant in holding the meeting? If so, why?

Minister Gemba: In my exchange with Governor Kuroiwa, he suggested that we hold the second meeting of the liaison meeting, and I did share with him my candid opinion. I would like to refrain from mentioning reasons, but I would like to make my overtures so that we would be able to hold that second meeting. Therefore, I would like to closely consult with the U.S.

3. Question concerning the Situation of the Republic of Korea (ROK)

Azumi, Freelance: On June 3, Mr. Chung Mong-joon, who is former president of Grand National Party said that the ROK needs to have nuclear capability. This statement was made perhaps because North Korea included nuclear power declaration in its Constitution in April and North Korea is also expanding their military facilities. Mr. Chung Mong-joon is declaring that he will run in the presidential elections next time. He has a lot of international influence, so what is your thought on his comment? 

Minister Gemba: I would like to check on him and his remarks. Unless I am well aware of the facts, I question whether it would be appropriate for me to make a comment as the foreign minister. However, it would be very difficult for me to imagine that that is the position taken by the ROK government.. that is a comment made by one individual who declared to run for the presidential election within the ROK. Japan has to approach all issues from the position that we will evaluate the current NPT system.

4. Question concerning return to Japan of a trainee at Japanese Embassy in China

Nishida, Mainichi Shimbun: I heard that a trainee of MOFA in Shanghai suddenly returned to Japan as of June 5. According to some news reports, the reason of his return is that he was requested to appear at Ministry of Public Safety of China. Could you give us the facts?

Minister Gemba: I read that reporting in the news paper. I am aware that he has completed his training period, and therefore, he has returned. This is in the course of ordinary personnel change.

5. Question concerning the 12th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit Meeting

Kaku, Xinhua: The 12th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit Meeting is being held today in Beijing. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has been established ten years ago. What has been in the contribution made by this organization to the region or international community, according to the assessment by Japanese side? What are the focal points you are paying attention to with regard to this holding of the summit?

Minister Gemba: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation consists of China, Russia, and Central Asian countries, in my understanding. Today’s strategic environment is changing, and in that context, the role of that organization will also change. My view is that the expectations of each state towards the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation are also changing. I am paying close attention to this meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

6. Question concerning Foreign Minister Gemba’s remarks at the Sophia Renaissance Series of Lectures

Yamamoto, Sekai Nippo: This is related to the first question - Darwin’s theory of evolution. Your predecessor – I am not sure whether the person was your immediate predecessor - but former Foreign Minister Maehara had told the future diplomacy of Japan in the New Year’s speech that it is one of the means to survive in the future. In the United States, they have completely different set of values, and the oath is taken by the president as he places his hand on the Bible when he is appointed to the president. But in Japan,  I wonder if it is appropriate for a foreign minister to quote Darwinism when you explain the appropriate pathway of the administration. What are your views on this matter?

Minister Gemba: I quoted the example of Darwin, and you are wondering whether this is an appropriate analogy to be drawn. But with regard to the ideal form of the administration, there are some factors which should never be changed, whereas there are other factors which should be changed Generally speaking, there must be changes made in order to make improvements, and we need to continue to hold such intentions. I hope that you will understand it as such.

7. Question concerning the Situation of Syria

Yokota, Mainichi Shimbun: I wish to raise a question concerning Syria. Syria has asked for expulsion of the ambassadors of the respective European and American countries as persona non grata. Is the Japanese ambassador is included or not? On the other day, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan requested the Syrian ambassador to leave Japan, and the Syrian ambassador has departed from Japan. But is this a countermeasure if the Japanese ambassador is subject to the Syrian measure?

Minister Gemba: On June 5, the Syrian Embassy in Tokyo notified to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that they would deem Japanese ambassador to Syria Suzuki, as persona non grata. Therefore, Japan is included.
Responding to that notification, as you are aware, I requested to the Ambassador al-Habash to voluntarily leave Japan. However, responding to Syria’s notification, we also notified that we would be deeming Ambassador al-Habash as PNG. Ambassador al-Habash had already left Japan on June 5.

8. Question concerning former Prime Minister Mori’s visit to Russia

Momoi, Nikkei: I will ask about Former Prime Minister Mori’s visit to Russia. Mr. Muneo Suzuki said in the press conference today that there was a notification through the diplomatic channel that the trip cannot be made before G20. If former Prime Minister Mori’s visit prior to G20 realized, he could have made preparations for G20. What do you think the effect of this cancelation of visit? What is your prospect for the future?

Minister Gemba: The G20 Summit is to be held shortly, as you might be aware. President Putin, as was mentioned in your question, he is attending a series of meetings. Therefore, I for one believe that initially, the two leaders should meet each other in person. After this face-to-face meeting between the two leaders, former Prime Minister Mori, as I mentioned earlier on, should play a certain role in this process. But the government is the one conducting negotiations. However, I hope that former Prime Minister Mori can prepare the environment which is suitable for such government talks.

9. Question concerning the issue of North Korea

Gomi, Tokyo Shimbun: North Korea had press reportings that they have found remains of Japanese nationals and they would welcome Japanese to come and visit graves, and if the Japanese are not coming, they will discard the remains. If North Korea is going to issue visas to the relatives, usually the government of Japan warns against their travel. But if visas are to be issued to those relatives, is it possible to exempt them from such warnings? Will you exercise flexibility in the response?

Minister Gemba: Similar question was asked previously. With regard to the remains, in fact, there has been request made by Japanese family members. My recognition is that this is an important unresolved humanitarian issue in post-war era. However, we are not making coordinations at the moment. Nor do we have dialogue at the moment for this purpose. Further, you had mentioned the possible issuance of visa, and what we would do if visas are issued. We are considering several options to comprehensively resolve the abduction issue, nuclear issue, and missile issue. If there are relatives who want to visit North Korea, then we have to decide if it is appropriate, considering our pathway to comprehensive resolution, including the issue of abduction.

10. Question concerning illegal activities by the secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo

Kamide, Freelance: With regard to the secretary at the Chinese Embassy. Many newspapers referred to this person as a spy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says there is no fact. For Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in terms of diplomacy, is this issue already is resolved as an infringement of the Alien Registration Act?

Minister Gemba: I do not have the notes with myself at the moment. But, as I have already told you yesterday, it is the referral of the case to the public prosecutor on  suspicion of the violation of the Alien Registration Act and on false entries in and use the original of notarized deeds. I have no information as of now that there might be additional violation of other criminal laws and regulations. Based on such recognition, we are taking measures.

11. Question concerning former Prime Minister Mori’s visit to Russia

Ida, Shukankinyoubi: In the press conference on May 28, Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister Yamane mentioned about his visit to Russia as follows:  Return of the Northern Territories by conclusion of peace treaty will overwhelmingly contribute to the development of Russia as well as its economy, though there might be negative aspects by returning the Northern Territories for Russia. This is on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
I think that the Russian side might take the remarks as follows: Once they return the Northern Territories, there would be economic cooperation of Japan. The government of Japan is going back to the theory of inseparability of politics from economics. I think that perhaps this led to the decision of Russian side on the postponement of the visit the envoy of former Prime Minister Mori. What is your view?

Minister Gemba: No, that is not the case. I do not think that the Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister Yamane’s comment had led to the change of schedule. That is not a fact.

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