(* 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: Tuesday, September 11, 2012, 10:12 a.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Opening Remarks
- (1) Attendance in the Fourth Japan-Australia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultatio
Dispatch of the Osprey to Japan
The Senkaku Islands
Passing of Minister Tadahiro Matsushita
Dispatch of the Osprey to Japan
Personnel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Attendance in the Fourth Japan-Australia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultatio

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: I will attend the fourth 2+2 meeting between Japan and Australia (the Japan-Australia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultation), together with Minister of Defense Morimoto, from Friday, September 14, to Saturday, September 15. We are scheduled to visit Sydney, Australia.

The Japan-Australia 2+2 meeting will be attended by myself and Minister Morimoto on the Japan side, and by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Carr and Australian Minister for Defense Smith on the Australia side. We will hold this meeting for the first time in approximately two years. Utilizing this opportunity, I plan to also have a Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Minister Carr.

Japan and Australia are alliance partners with the United States, sharing fundamental values and strategic interests within the changing regional strategic environment. I believe that security cooperation between Japan and Australia is increasingly important, and that it is vital that our two countries have regular and close opinion exchanges. During the consultation this time, I hope to have a frank exchange of opinions on the changing security environment in the Asia-Pacific region and to share strategic recognitions.

Furthermore, just as we recently announced Japan-Australia cooperation for a peacekeeping operation (PKO) in South Sudan, we are rapidly deepening bilateral and trilateral security and defense cooperation between Japan and Australia as well as among Japan, Australia and the United States, through disaster relief operations, cooperation in the field of PKO, our Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreements (ACSA), signing of the Japan-Australia Information Security Agreement, and joint training exercises. Based on the accumulation of such cooperation and our experience, I hope to agree to enhance security and defense cooperation even further. I want to see the issuance of a joint statement as a result of our consultation.

2. Dispatch of the Osprey to Japan

Sakamoto, NHK: The Japanese assessment team has published the results of analysis on the accident which occurred in Florida. The report basically confirms that it was caused by human error. On the other hand, there has been another incident where an Osprey had to make an emergency landing. Under such circumstances, do you believe you will rightly gain understanding from the people of Okinawa?

Minister Gemba: I think you are referring to the CV-22 Florida incident. I have received the report on the accident. I understand that it was concluded that the main cause of the accident was air turbulence, as the Osprey ran into air turbulence which it should not have. However, I think it is important that Japan continues taking the initiative to confirm safety thoroughly.

In addition, I have also received the report on the emergency landing incident. Emergency landings are, for example, also made by Self-Defense Force (SDF) aircrafts precisely as a preventative measure, and so I do not think this should be regarded as an accident. In any case, as I have consistently said, I do not take the stance that scheduling comes first. Therefore, Japan should continue taking the full initiative to confirm safety through the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee; although this is becoming a very difficult task, to be frank. There aren’t many cases even worldwide where such an issue, the operation of the Osprey, is discussed in a joint committee, and this is why this has now become an extremely difficult task. Having said that, I believe safety should be firstly and thoroughly confirmed, and then efforts must be made to gain understanding on low-altitude training drills, etc.. We are currently making the utmost efforts to complete this task. When this task has been completed, I hope to once again thoroughly explain the details.

As you are well aware, the production of CH-46 helicopters was discontinued decades ago. Even in the SDF, those aircrafts have been decommissioned. The older the helicopter, the higher the risk, and that is why it has been encouraged to replace CH-46 helicopters with Ospreys. Moreover, since I believe Ospreys are necessary for the security of Japan and the security of East Asia, I hope to thoroughly confirm the safety by myself and explain this issue in my own words.

Sakamoto, NHK: In relation to this issue, some opinions suggest that it may be difficult to deploy Ospreys in October.

Minister Gemba: My understanding is that, the original schedule was to achieve Full Operational Capabilities (FOC) at the beginning of October, namely around October 2 or 3. In any case, as I mentioned earlier, I do not take the stance that schedule comes first. We need to carry out our task in a careful manner, and we are indeed currently carrying out the tasks. If, as a result there is a delay in schedule, I do not believe that it would be an issue.

3. The Senkaku Islands

Sakamoto, NHK: Today, the Cabinet decided to nationalize the Senkaku Islands, which has aroused strong opposition from the People's Republic of China. Given this situation, how will Japan address this issue?

Minister Gemba: As the Government of Japan, the Senkaku Islands are an inherent territory of Japan in light of historical facts and based upon international law, and there is no issue of territorial sovereignty. However, the decision of acquisition was made in the interest of ensuring the peaceful and stable maintenance and management of the islands.

The Japan-China relationship is one of the most important bilateral relations for Japan. During all these years, both Japan and China have put out joint statements in 1972, 1978, 1998 and 2008. I believe it is essential to comply with these joint statements and deepen our mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.

The stable development of Japan-China relations should not be prevented by this issue. Both Japan and China should address this issue with a comprehensive perspective and in a calm manner. We have always paid great attention not to cause misunderstanding or misjudgment when communicating with China, and I think we should continue making efforts to develop close communications with China.

Sakamoto, NHK: Yesterday, Mr. Cheng Yonghua, Chinese Ambassador to Japan, visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to lodge a formal protest. Following today's Cabinet decision, have there been or do you expect any other similar actions?

Minister Gemba: At this point, I am not aware of any.

4. Passing of Minister Tadahiro Matsushita

Sakamoto, NHK: Mr. Tadahiro Matsushita, Minister for Postal Reform and Minister of State for Financial Services passed away at his home yesterday. What was your response to this incident?

Minister Gemba: I was deeply shocked. I would like to extend my sincere condolences. When I was the Minister of State for National Policy, I had the opportunity to work with Mr. Matsushita on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), who was serving as the State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry at the time. Mr. Matsushita was against so-called free trade, and he even staged a sit-in to protest against the issue of importing rice, which I think was in 1993. He always stated his opinions based on his long-term experience as a politician, with a vision to the future, and recognizing the necessity of high-level economic partnerships. I have always regarded him as a highly knowledgeable person.

Furthermore, as the State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, he was especially sympathetic to Fukushima Prefecture, the area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. I am from Fukushima Prefecture, and when I talked to the local people, including the governor of Fukushima and mayors of towns and cities, they would often say that "Mr. Matsushita is trustworthy". He has fully dedicated himself to his work and truly devoted himself to his duties. I cannot express enough how regrettable this is.

5. Dispatch of the Osprey to Japan

Miyagi, Ryukyu Shimpo: The other day, on September 9, a prefectural rally was held in Okinawa Prefecture to protest against the deployment of the Osprey, and according to the organizer, 100,000 people gathered. Will you tell us your views on this and on the fact that Governor Hirokazu Nakaima sent a message instead of attending the rally itself.

Minister Gemba: Regarding the fact that so many people gathered at the rally, I think I must take this seriously. As for the governor’s message or the fact that he did not attend, I would like to refrain from making a comment.

At any rate, as I have just mentioned, I believe I have consistently said from the outset that the schedule does not come first, which I believe you would recall. In that context, I think we need to work on this carefully, and – please pardon me for repeating this many times – we need to be able to explain this issue in clearly understandable terms after assessing safety. To begin with, prior to this, the Government of Japan itself must conduct an assessment to determine whether it is really safe. That must be done and although we are currently facing a difficult task, I would like to ensure that Japan will steadily assert what it must assert at the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee meeting – which I myself am determined to work hard on – and even though I think this is unprecedented worldwide, I hope to make clear how all things are handled.

6. Personnel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ikeda, Kyodo News: The appointment of top officials was made today, including the appointment of Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kenichiro Sasae as Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Will you tell us the aim of this personnel change?

Minister Gemba: To put it simply, this is to place the right people in the right places. I have carefully overseen the situation for the past year, and I have always hoped to make the best personnel changes possible. There seem to be various opinions about people from the private sector being appointed as ambassadors. I think there can surely be and should be appointments of people from the private sector as ambassador. I believe that as the case may be, it is even acceptable to appoint people from the political world as ambassadors if they are truly well qualified.

Back to Index