(* 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, August 22, 2012, 10:00 a.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Opening Remarks
- (1) The case of death of a Japanese journalist and a female university student
- (2) Announcement of the logo for TICAD V
- (3) The Takeshima Issue
Japan-ROK relations
Preparatory talk between Japan and the DPRK and Japan
Revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement
Japan-Russia relationship

1. Opening Remarks

(1) The case of death of a Japanese journalist and a female university student

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba:
On the 20th, Japan time, in Aleppo City, Syria, a Japanese journalist, Ms. Mika Yamamoto, died while covering the situation. We are still in the process of confirming the details. In any event, it is extremely regrettable that she had to die in gunfire. We renounce strongly such a conduct and I would like to present my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members.
The body of Ms. Yamamoto was transported to Kilis in Turkey. Members of Japanese Embassy in Turkey went to that place and are collecting information from the local police and providing necessary, feasible assistance, from the viewpoint of protecting the Japanese nationals, such as communicating to the family members and the transportation of the body.
The situation in Syria warrants no prejudgment for us. Our government continues to watch carefully the situation in Syria, and strongly request that repression and all forms of violence by the Syrian Government be suspended immediately and that the smooth transition of the government led by Syrians take place. Moreover, while supporting the efforts by newly appointed Special Envoy, Mr. Brahimi, we will work for improved situation in Syria, in partnership with the international community.

Also, in Romania, a Japanese university student who went there to teach Japanese became involved in an accident, and died. We renounce such an atrocious crime, and I would like to present my heartfelt condolences to the late Ms. Yurika Masuno and the bereaved family members.
We, as Ministry of Foreign Affairs, would like to make further efforts to secure the security and safety of the Japanese nationals overseas.

(2) Announcement of the logo for TICAD V

The logo for TICAD V, which is scheduled to be held from June 1 to 3, 2013, in Yokohama, has been decided. It has been put in your hands, so please take a look. The TICAD is such that since 1993, the conference has been held once every five years and we invite leaders of African states. Its theme is development of Africa. 51 African countries, including 41 heads of states, attended the last conference which was held in 2008. Next year is a watershed year for TICAD marking its 20th year. Toward TICAD V, we would like to boost initiatives by the full cast to raise the level of Japan-African relations to a new stage. To secure a broad range of participation of citizens and international society and to make the conference successful, we would like to have a broad range of usage of this logo until TICAD V. For details, please go to the MOFA website.

(3) The Takeshima Issue

Yesterday on the 21st, the ministerial meeting of the relevant ministers on the territorial issue of Takeshima was convened. At this meeting, the prime minister gave instruction regarding meticulous preparation for the peaceful solution of the dispute in accordance with international laws and the strengthening of information dissemination abroad about the position of Japan. In order to implement such initiatives locally, today we will make Ambassador Muto go back to the ROK, who was in Japan temporarily.

2. Japan-ROK relations

Saito, Kyodo News: You talked about the meeting of the relevant ministers on the issue of Takeshima. There, Prime Minister Noda stated in his initial greeting that a full study of possible implementable measures must be conducted. He also requested deep consideration and careful action from the ROK side. The latter remark seems to be showing a kind of condition. I have a question on this point. What in effect is the ‘deep consideration and careful action’ that Japan demand of the ROK? Do you mean the Government of Japan will not suspend any measures taken against the ROK as long as the ROK does not give the deep consideration or take the careful action? Can you explain this point? I have another question: In September, the 24th APEC Summit Meeting will be held in Russia. Does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognize the necessity to hold a summit meeting with President Lee Myung-bak there? At the same time, the Japan-ROK shuttle diplomacy has been going on. Following the usual practice, it is Japan’s turn to visit the ROK. But taking the recent situations into account, do you consider it appropriate to implement the shuttle diplomacy as scheduled?

Minister Gemba: The second question is one on which no decision has been taken. On the first point, you are asking what deep consideration and careful action means. For our part, we are now studying some appropriate measures for sure, but the basics are such that territorial issues should be addressed as they are. On that basis, in the meeting of the relevant ministers, we discussed how to strengthen our organizational formation as a means of making the external world know about the territorial issues. Our idea is not only the ICJ. With regard to the appropriate measures, we are studying them now. The ROK’s response is something that we will be keeping an eye on. We will watch whether their response gives deep consideration or not; whether they are looking at the big picture of the bilateral relations; whether they’re future oriented in their action; and whether they are prepared to change their action taking all of those into consideration. Then we will decide appropriate measures in a comprehensive manner.

Higashioka, Asahi Shimbun: Ambassador Muto is going back to Seoul. In my understanding, he has been returned to Japan temporarily to give a sign of Japan’s protest. Yesterday, ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kim Sung-hwan talked about the Emperor’s visit to the ROK again . Why are you sending the Ambassador back now despite the fact? Also yesterday, the Japanese Government sent a note verbale to the ROK side. Has there been a response to this?

Minister Gemba: The first question is why now. It is wrong if I say the Ambassador’s temporary return to Japan doesn’t show the expression of protest. I asked the Ambassador to look into the local situation including the background which led to the situation. Ambassador Muto explained it to the Prime Minister and the Chief Cabinet Secretary as well as to myself. In yesterday’s ministerial meeting, there were instructions by the Prime Minister. Thus these instructions have to be carried out locally under the command of the Ambassador. That is the very reason we send the Ambassador back to the ROK. Mr. Kim Sung-hwan’s remarks of yesterday were indeed regrettable. Naturally, our Government launched such a protest to the ROK Government on this point.

Yokoshima, Mainichi Shimbun: The launching of protest, was it yesterday? Through what kind of route did you do it?

Minister Gemba: At the point of yesterday, we launched a protest. At that time, Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan stated that his remark on the Japanese Emperor came out in the process of explaining the intention of President Lee Myung-bak’s remark about the Emperor the other day. So the Minister said it was not a view of himself. But in any case, it is very regrettable and not understandable that the ROK side continues to make such unconstructive and incomprehensible statements, and we believe it will not benefit the ROK at all.

Kamide, Freelance Journalist: I have two questions on Takeshima. Last Friday, when Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano gave a press conference, he said that there were various issues going on between the two countries, and that Takeshima would naturally impact their relations. However, the sovereignty issue is to be prioritized, that is what he emphasized. In reality, trade-related conferences are progressing without any hitches. Giving the priority to the sovereignty issue, is that a consensus among the ministers? And what is the view of yourself? How do you view the situation in relation to building a future-oriented relationship between the two countries, in other words a matter of friendship? From the standpoint of the citizens, the Senkaku issue is arising at the same time and anti-Japan protest emerges. There is a likelihood of overreacting to such protest, so balance must be important. Perhaps you should explain to the citizens about the priorities in a more easily understandable manner, apart from the diplomatic point of view?

Minister Gemba: I assume Minister Edano talked about the possibilities covering all matters relating to economic and trade matters. Having said so, when it comes to sovereignty, we should act resolutely. At the same time, we must never lose sight of the big picture. We must be cold-headed; we have to dispassionately cope with the situation. That is my view. Basically, when it is related to sovereignty and territorial issues, Takeshima this time, we regard it basically as a territorial issue, so we will act accordingly. On the other hand, there were various remarks made after that, so, as a matter of fact, we are studying all kinds of appropriate countermeasures available to us. In fact, some meetings and talks have been postponed. I know that. Talking about the Japan-ROK relationship, it should be always future oriented. Indeed, economic interdependence is quite dense. Cultural exchanges and personnel exchanges have become very active. So, we have to take into consideration the possible impact on the general Japan-ROK relationship, and we eventually decide on the measures to be taken. As I said earlier on, we think it important to be closely watching the response coming from the ROK side and decide what to do accordingly.

3. Preparatory talk between Japan and the DPRK and Japan

Hanamura, TV Asahi: Next week preliminary talks between the DPRK and Japan is scheduled. It is the first talk after four years. It is called preliminary, but I assume that you would like to lead it to full-fledged talks. Nevertheless, we have to closely watch the DPRK’s attitude on the abduction issue. What is going to be the modality of the preliminary talks, and how will you develop it into full-fledged talks?

Minister Gemba: As I have told you before, on August 29th the preliminary talks are slated to take place. Earlier, there was an important humanitarian issue raised between the Red Cross Societies. It was the issue of the remains of Japanese war dead. And having undergone that discussion between the Red Cross Societies, both the Societies have asked for government involvement. In response to this development, these preliminary talks are being scheduled. On our part, we say that between the DPRK, there are various pending issues. Among them naturally the abduction issue is included in our view. And at all costs, the abduction issue is something that I value very highly.

Gomi, Tokyo Shimbun: On the 16th, the Korean Central News Agency of the DPRK talked about the Japan-DPRK discussions. It pointed out that there were impure intentions on the Japanese side to politically take advantage of the remains issue, trying to refrain from taking up the abduction issue on their part. The talks are preliminary one this time, but if there appears a huge gap between the two parties on the abduction issue, will you continue the talks or will you make tenacious efforts to continue the talks to have them take up the abduction issue? With the presence of people involved in the remains issue, towards the end of this month they will be making a visit to the graveyard in Pyongyang, that is their intention. Could you talk to us about the progress vis-à-vis the visit?

Minister Gemba: Regarding your question, I would say once again that the issue of abduction is very important in my mind. In this preliminary talk, agenda setting will be done. That is basically what I think will happen in the preliminary talks. It may not something which will be completed in one round; it may take several rounds. So, as I said, with that recognition I would be approaching these preliminary talks. On the other hand, regarding the remains and so forth, they are humanitarian issues that are unresolved since the end of last war, so we have to solidly approach that. Nevertheless, we are very firm on the abduction issue.

4. Revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement

Yamaguchi, TV Tokyo: In 2002 there was a sexual assault by a US serviceman on an Australian woman in Yokosuka. In the criminal proceeding, the assailant was not prosecuted, but in the civil proceeding, the plaintiff won the case and compensation was ordered. However, in the end, the soldier went back to the United States. Instead, the Japanese Government paid three million yen as a solatium. Now the soldier was not put to justice and therefore, this lady sought justice in the United States in May. Next month, this court proceeding is going to begin. I have two questions. How do you feel about the victim’s action in the U.S.? Also, do you plan to ask the U.S. for the revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement or of the relief of the victims of crimes off duty, or ask for any improvement in reviewing the solatium payment procedures decided at the Cabinet Meeting in 1964, or in filling the difference in payment amount that is stipulated in the SACO Final Report? Amongst the criminal offenders in Japan, the U.S. Force-related people’s rate of indictment is slightly more than 10% compared with the overall indictment rate of over 40% in Japan. It is very low. What is your thought about this and are there any measures for improving the rate of indictment?

Minister Gemba: First of all, the case has filed to the U.S. court, so I’d like to refrain from commenting on this. To start with, I agree that cases of this nature are such that naturally the perpetrator should pay the solatium. But there have been cases where things hadn’t worked that way. As you know, I think it was Article 18, paragraph 6 of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement that stipulates dealing with claims by way of the U.S. authorities’ offer of ex gratia payment. Both the governments of Japan and the United States are making efforts to improve implementation, such as advance payments, no-interest loans or solatium. These are the measures which have been taken so that the victims are provided with relief. Thus, we are making improvements with regard to implementation. That is my understanding. In addition, with regard to the rate of indictment, I have the material in my hands. The indictment rate of all non-traffic penal code offenses from 2008 to 2010 was 29.1% inclusive of the Japanese. In the non-traffic penal code offenses where Japan has the primary right to exercise jurisdiction, such as the ones that happen off duty, the rate is 21.5%, lower than the former figure. On the other hand, from 2008 to 2012, the overall indictment rate was 34.7% whereas in all the cases where Japan has the primary right to exercise jurisdiction, the U.S. servicemen indictment rate was 43.7%. I’ve heard that every year there are about 200,000 criminal cases involving criminal law. When it comes to the cases that involve U.S. Army personnel, the figure fluctuates between 100 and 200, so a comparison of this nature—to what extent this is meaningful—is questionable, that’s one thing, and what is most important is that Japan has the primary right to exercise jurisdiction when the crime occurs outside of the official duties like this case you pointed out. Whether the perpetrator or the suspect is a U.S. serviceperson or not, there should not be a difference as to whether the case should be indicted or dropped. And I believe there should be no difference of this nature.

5. Japan-Russia relationship

Ando, Hokkaido Shimbun: You met with President Putin in Sochi the other day, and I believe you discussed the matter of sending former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori as a Special Envoy. However, we reported that this idea had been abandoned last week. I’d like to know if Russia has rejected the Special Envoy. I believe a Japan-Russia summit meeting is planned during APEC, and there were high expectations to Mr. Mori playing a role in negotiations of the territorial issue. Will this have any impact? And if you can’t send him before APEC, do you have a schedule to send another envoy after APEC?

Minister Gemba: I will give you only the conclusion. Putting aside the question of timing, we are still thinking of sending former Prime Minister Mori as Special Envoy, and I believe the Russian side will accept this, though that timing is still unclear.

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