(* 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, July 18, 2012, 3:10 p.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

The Senkaku Islands
North Korea
Visits by Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to Foreign Countries
Deployment of Ospreys in Japan
Domestic Politics
Situations in North Korea
Japan-Russia Relations
Deployment of Ospreys in Japan
The Senkaku Islands

1. The Senkaku Islands

Saito, Kyodo Press: I have a question with regard to Senkaku Islands. The other day, you had Ambassador Niwa return to Japan on a temporary basis. It is reported that at that time, you instructed him to communicate the Japanese position in an accurate manner. In this context what is the Japanese position which should be accurately communicated to the Chinese side? Could you share that with us once again in a way that Japanese public can understand easily?
And also I wonder whether China has ever understood the position of the Japanese Government which the Minister mentioned. If China has not understood the Japanese position, please tell us which part of it China does not understand.

Minister Gemba: First of all, with regard to the Japanese way of thinking and the basic position, needless to say, the Senkaku Islands are the inherent territory of Japan. And, based upon international law and in light of historical facts, there is no doubt that this is the case. So, there is no territorial dispute in the first place. Also, we are holding various discussions comprehensively for the peaceful and stable maintenance and management of the islands. That represents our way of thinking, and that would be the message which should be conveyed correctly to the Chinese side.
About Mr. Saito's question on whether China understands fully the position of Japan or not, China has its own position on this matter. However in terms of international law, this is a groundless position. Taking that aspect into account, of course, China has its own position. While it is not necessarily the case that Japan's position has not been conveyed to China at all, as I mentioned earlier, I gave instruction on that point to Ambassador.

Li, Hong Kong, Phoenix TV: According to reports, governor of Tokyo, Mr. Ishihara, is going to ask the central government for permission to land on the Senkaku Islands within this week. As far as the Minister is concerned, while Governor Ishihara has had willingness to land for a long time, how do you view this activity? Also I understand that it has been the policy that the Japanese government does not approve the action. The Chief Cabinet Secretary, though, has said that they are going to consider this comprehensively. May I take it that the central government's position has changed on this matter?

Minister Gemba: Basically, it is not necessarily the case that country's position has been changed. With regard to the application for landing, comprehensive review is always conducted for the Cabinet to make a decision, concerning the intention of the owner, its necessity, and also for peaceful and stable maintenance and management. This is what we have repeatedly mentioned.

2. North Korea

Higashioka, Asahi Shimbun: The other day, at the gala dinner in Phnom Penh, I heard that you exchanged a few words of greetings with Minister Pak of North Korea. What did you discuss on that occasion? And also, how did this conversation come about? Which began the conversation? Can you share with us the atmosphere of the conversation?

Minister Gemba: I cannot explain the contents of the conversation. We just exchanged greetings at a reception held over cocktails prior to the gala dinner. During that time, we caught each other's eyes, so right after that we exchanged greetings a little bit.

Higashioka, Asahi Shimbun: Minister has cited the importance of resolving the abduction issue for long. At the same time, for this purpose, you have sought cooperation from other countries at the ARF. However, you just exchanged greetings in front of that minister of North Korea. Why not did you communicate the need to resolve the abduction issue, propose to start concrete negotiations about it, or request re-examination?

Minister Gemba: I cannot reveal the contents of the greetings, as I have mentioned. It is no more than and no less than what I said. I would like to reiterate that I have taken every occasion possible to point out the importance of resolving the abduction issue, and I myself really want to resolve this issue.

3. Visits by Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to Foreign Countries

Sugimoto, Sankei Shimbun: It seems that your schedule for the ASEAN meeting and the visit to Cambodia had to be shortened because of the Diet deliberations. What are your thoughts on this? Also the LDP said today at the Foreign Policy Commission of LDP that when they were in power they wanted to send the then foreign ministers abroad, but they were in trouble as the opposition party rejected it. Now, the same thing is being done by the LDP, which is now the opposition party, and they are talking about reflecting and reconsider this situation. What are your views on this, Minister?

Minister Gemba: Mr. Sugimoto, you asked me a good question. I am not going to say which side is doing better or bad. By now both two biggest parties have experienced the position of the ruling party. We have to make this situation a good opportunity to clearly set up the custom to pay the maximum consideration to such a practice at the Diet, especially when Prime Minister and Foreign Minister attend diplomatic occasions abroad. This time around, vis-à-vis LDP and New Komei Party, I do not think my schedule have been obstructed by these parties. However, whichever the party will be in power or not, ASEAN plus Japan, China, Korea Meeting is a very important meeting. And the Mekong-Japan Foreign Minister's Meeting is also another important meeting. Regardless of which party comes into power, the highest priority should be given to attendance of Foreign Minister and Prime Minister at such diplomatic occasions. Rather, they have to be there. In such occasions, there could be various options; for example, senior Parliamentary vice Minister can answer questions in the Diet instead, or the session can be rescheduled for a different occasion. As the both biggest parties really have experience being in power as a ruling party, I believe that at this moment, we should think about changing such practices.

4. Deployment of Ospreys in Japan

Yokota, Mainichi Shimbun: I would like to ask about the deployment of Ospreys. Mr. Maehara (the Chair of the Policy Research Committee) criticized the Cabinet Secretary and the Prime Minister for making light of the views of the people living in Okinawa and Yamaguchi Prefecture. Mr. Maehara's criticism seems to reveal that the government and the ruling party are not ready to work together on the situation. What are your views, Minister?

Minister Gemba: I am repeating myself but the Prime Minister and the Chief Cabinet Secretary are not making light of views of the local inhabitants. Many consultations have been held with the U.S. in the meantime. And some consultations will take place in the future as well. As a result, it was decided that the preparatory flight will not take place including at Iwakuni until the safety is confirmed. The U.S. will confirm safety and Japan will do the same. To dispel the anxiety for the safety, we also have to consider what else can be done. In that sense Mr. Maehara knows that very well and I understand Minister Morimoto will have good communication with Mr. Maehara. It is of course better for the government and the ruling party to act in an integrated way to conduct a wide range of coordination. I hope that we can have good communication.

5. Domestic Politics

Azumi, Freelance: I would like to ask about Mr. Nakatsugawa, who has declared to leave the DPJ. One of the reasons for leaving the party was the government response to the Senkaku Islands. It seems that the members of the DPJ leaving the party are increasing in number now. The number of members leaving the party could increase for this reason. What are your views on this estimate?

Minister Gemba: With regard to MP Nakatsugawa-san, there is no comment from me. I do not think his primary ground for leaving the party is the Senkaku Islands. I can say this because I know him very well.

6. Situations in North Korea

Gomi, Tokyo Shimbun: I have a question about North Korea. Over the last couple of days we have received a lot of news about the North Korean military. For example, Ri Yong-ho, Chair of General Staff of the Korean People's Army, was removed from all his posts, and today there was a very important announcement indicating that Kim Jong-un was given the position of "Marshal". It has been reported that they are much interested in these in the Republic of Korea. What are your views about the series of developments taking place in North Korea? What are your views and what are the points of interest to you?

Minister Gemba: As you may know, I refrain from making a comment to this kind of questions, at all times, in the end. At all times, of course, we gather information on the personnel matter within the party and the military, which you mentioned, as well as various new developments. As for the concrete substance and relevant analysis and assessment with regard to these matters, I think it is better for me to refrain from making any comments here. It is only natural that we are interested in every action and movement in the DPRK, so the latest information is always reported to me in an organized manner.

7. Japan-Russia Relations

Ichikawa, TBS: At the summit meeting between Japan and Russia in Los Cabos, your visit to Russia was agreed upon. Can I ask how the coordination for this is going on? And if the coordination for Former Prime Minister Mori's visit to Russia is also taking place, can you share with us the update?

Minister Gemba: The answer has not been changed. Considering various factors, we would like to decide the timing of my visit to Russia. Former Prime Minister Mori's visit to Russia is also being explored.

8. Deployment of Ospreys in Japan

Kamide, Freelance: I would like to ask about the deployment of Ospreys. Although you provided us with an explanation but my impression is that the wordings used by Mr. Maehara and Prime Minister Noda indicate that the deployment of Ospreys is inevitable because of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. Thus, there seems to be a gap in the wordings. Why is that? And also Minister Gemba, if the host nation notification comes about, do you believe that it will be inevitable and will have to be accepted? When you talk about making maximum efforts, what are you saying specifically? Can you explain in an easier to understand manner?

Minister Gemba: To put it accurately, there is an assumption based on the treaty. Although it is an assumption of the treaty, getting the understanding from the local residents is important. As I always mention, one thing is that there is a concern over the safety. Thus, we need to consider what to do to dispel this anxiety. At the same time, as I have been saying over and over again, we have to consider the security environment we are in, looking at the entire security situation of East Asia. When we see the security situation inclusive of the southwestern area, we have to think about how our security should be, and how we look at our deterrence. All these need to be addressed in combination. The Marine Corps size will be reduced as a result of adjustment of the transformation. While Marine Corps size will be reduced, how can we maintain the deterrence? Compared with the CH46E, Osprey's speed is two times, its loading capacity is triple, and its range of activity becomes quadruple. Advanced equipment can strengthen the deterrence. However, as I said at the outset, there is still a concern over safety so that it should be removed and maximum efforts for that purpose should be made. An accident should never occur. That is why we are discussing what we can do now. At this time I am not able to say anything concrete to you.

9. The Senkaku Islands

Li, Hong Kong: With regard to the Senkaku Islands, the Japanese Government talked about the so-called peaceful and stable maintenance and also the landing on the island. Though, is there not a contradiction between the two? My second question is about Ambassador Niwa's temporarily return to Japan. Some reports say, Mr. Niwa told Vice President Xi Jinping that Japanese citizen's sentiment toward China is strange. The remark by Ambassador Niwa was considered to be problematic here in Japan. Are you aware of the facts of the words?

Minister Gemba: At any rate, the temporary return the other day was the situation that based on the current Japan-China relations. I have received the report from Mr. Niwa and had a consultation with him. It was quite useful. As I have been saying to you, my answer has always been consistent. You can check on what I have said in the past with regard to this issue. From the time the mass media started to pick this up as an issue until now, I have been consistent. I have been saying that with regard to the Senkaku Islands, they are the inherent territory of Japan, which is the basic position. I have always been saying for peaceful and stable maintenance, we are considering various measures. I have always been consistent with regard to the landing on the islands, just I mentioned earlier. In this sense, I do not see any contradiction at all this moment.

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