(* 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: Thursday, September 13, 2012, 4:06 p.m.
Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Opening Remarks
- (1) Meeting with H.E. Mr. John Victor Roos, Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan
Meeting with U.S. Ambassador John Roos
Emergency transport of H.E. Mr. Shinichi Nishimiya, Ambassador of Japan to the People’s Republic of China
Meeting with U.S. Ambassador John Roos
Emergency transport of H.E. Mr. Shinichi Nishimiya, Ambassador of Japan to the People’s Republic of China
Meeting with U.S. Ambassador Roos
Japan-China relations
Senkaku Islands

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Meeting with H.E. Mr. John Victor Roos, Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: A moment ago I had a meeting with H.E. Mr. Roos, Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan, and Lieutenant General Angelella, Commander, U.S. Forces Japan. We had a frank exchange of opinions on the deployment of MV22 Osprey to Japan.

In relation to the deployment, today we received a resolution from the people of Okinawa, such as Mayor Onaga of Naha City and Mayor Sakima of Ginowan City, created in a prefectural rally held on September 9. In consideration of the concerns expressed by the local people, as I have been saying occasionally for some time we do not take the stance that scheduling comes first, and it is extremely important that we thoroughly confirm safety through Japan-U.S. cooperation. I have just communicated that to every level on the U.S. side.

Actually, the governments of Japan and the U.S. have been reconfirming safety, taking a reasonable amount of time up until now. In particular, as negotiations in the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee have become quite difficult, I have just directly and strongly called on the U.S. side about low-altitude aerial exercises, measures to prevent the recurrence of any accidents, and other points. I came to an agreement with the Ambassador and Commander that we would instruct working-level officials to reach an agreement that can alleviate the concerns of the local people to the greatest extent possible. It may be more correct to say that we reconfirmed this rather than agreed to it.

In addition, I stated strongly during the meeting that I extremely regret the incident of an act of forced indecency and assault perpetrated by a U.S. Marine last month in Naha City. I stated that this sort of thing must absolutely not happen, and that it was extremely vile and obscene. I told the U.S. side that it can’t be swept aside simply by the words calling for strengthened discipline, but those measures must be put into place to firmly ensure that such an incident does not happen again.

Moreover, we had an exchange of opinions on regional situations at the meeting.

2. Meeting with U.S. Ambassador John Roos

Yamaguchi, TV Tokyo: You have repeatedly mentioned that scheduling does not come first on the deployment of Ospreys. As the discussions through the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee have become more difficult, did Ambassador John Roos refer to any plan or a specific schedule for the deployment of Ospreys as we may face a delayed deployment?

Minister Gemba: As I have said many times, we do not work on a predetermined schedule on this issue and we have conducted our own process to confirm the safety of the aircraft. In particular, we have conducted a thorough confirmation of the incident in Morocco and we are in the process of conducting a final confirmation of the incident in Florida. I restated to the Ambassador today that we must reach a reasonable agreement through the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee. The deployments of Ospreys in Japan, the start of aviation operations for testing and other purposes at Iwakuni, and familiarization flight must be carried out carefully. As a result, we initially planned to reach full operational capability in Okinawa around October 2, but at this point, in fact this schedule will not be met. I believe that the actual result we earn through our efforts is what is most important. However, as I said yesterday, we need to have a certain goal or timeline to accomplish any project. So our initial target was October 2. However, due to the various tasks we conducted, our current status is such that we will not be able to meet the October 2 deadline. At this point we still have a certain goal or timeline.

Yamaguchi, TV Tokyo: During your discussions with the Ambassador today, was there any mentioning of the U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta’s visit to Japan on September 17?

Minister Gemba: You may be hoping to hear about the discussions on the Osprey issue, but Secretary Panetta’s schedule to visit Japan is still under coordination. If a meeting takes place on Monday, I will discuss Ospreys, but our main topics will be 2+2 meetings and regional issues, among others. We will naturally touch on the Osprey issue and confirm its status of progress, but in any case I am hoping to discuss the 2+2 meetings and regional issues.

3. Emergency transport of H.E. Mr. Shinichi Nishimiya, Ambassador of Japan to the People’s Republic of China

Yamaguchi, TV Tokyo: Mr. Nishimiya, our ambassador to China, is reported to have collapsed this morning and remain unconscious. What is your response to the situation?

Minister Gemba: He is currently hospitalized. I am extremely concerned. I will refrain from making any comments on his condition. I will say that I am deeply concerned.

4. Meeting with U.S. Ambassador John Roos

Yokota, Mainichi Shimbun: You mentioned that you have a certain goal or timeline even now. Is it correct to believe your current goal is to complete the tasks by the end of October?

Minister Gemba: Including our current goal, we do not have any fixed schedule on this issue. Since this is an issue open to misunderstandings, I would like to just state that together with setting our own goals, at the same time, we are making our utmost efforts to reach a sufficient agreement.

Tosa, Asahi Shimbun: Will you discuss what you discussed with Ambassador Roos today with Secretary Panetta on September 17?

Minister Gemba: That will depend on the circumstances. Today the Ambassador stated that he will make the maximum efforts on this, and so I expect that he will give his instructions to the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee today. So we will have to see how our negotiations at the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee will proceed based on his instructions.

Toiyama, Ryukyu Shimpo: What is the significance of holding this meeting today?

Minister Gemba: The biggest reason is that we are facing difficulties in the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee negotiations. We also had the impermissible incident that I mentioned earlier. Since I thought I should discuss the issue with the U.S. side at the earliest timing, I took this opportunity to speak with the Ambassador.

Mekaru, Okinawa Times: How did the U.S. side respond to your words on the incident caused by the U.S. serviceman?

Minister Gemba: Ambassador Roos stated that it was simply unforgivable. He also stated that further measures must be implemented.

5. Emergency transport of H.E. Mr. Shinichi Nishimiya, Ambassador of Japan to the People’s Republic of China

Yokota, Mainichi Shimbun: The position of Japanese ambassador to the People’s Republic of China is a very important and demanding role. Depending on the situation, will you replace him with another person?

Minister Gemba: Since he is presently hospitalized, I am sincerely hoping for his full recovery.

6. Meeting with U.S. Ambassador Roos

Konishi, Kyodo News: Did you make any specific requests to Ambassador Roos, including technical issues?

Minister Gemba: Yes, I conveyed him our requests this time. I cannot give you the details, but what we discuss at the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee actually includes numerous technical and working-level issues. However, since this is a critical matter impacting the people of Okinawa as well as all Japanese citizens, I stated our requests in an effort to make progress on this issue.

7. Japan-China relations

Takenaka, Reuters: The Vice Minister of Chinese Ministry of Commerce commented this morning that the current aggravation of Japan-China relations would not only trigger political tension but also impact the economy and trade between the two countries. How does the Japanese Government respond to this?

Minister Gemba: As I often say, both Japan and China should take a calm approach to this issue with a comprehensive perspective. I believe that the current situation should not prevent Japan-China relations from further developing in a stable manner. Japan will continue to request China to act in a calm, appropriate manner.

8. Senkaku Islands

Lee, Hong Kong Phoenix TV: A Taiwan Coast Guard boat was observed around Japan’s contiguous zone today. Although it did not enter the contiguous zone, how do you view the fact that the Taiwan Coast Guard boat was observed. Will you comment on this issue?

Minister Gemba: Did the boat reach the contiguous zone?

Lee, Hong Kong Phoenix TV: It came close to the contiguous zone.

Minister Gemba: Basically, when other countries enter the contiguous zone or the territorial waters of Japan, obviously since it shall never occur, we make a formal request or lodge an official protest. At any rate, we are carefully monitoring various situations like that.

Back to Index