Top > Announcement > Press Conference by Foreign Minister > March 12, 2013

(* This is a provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only.)

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2013, 8:40 a.m.
Place: In the Diet

Main topics:

  1. Response of the Government of China to the Ceremony to Commemorate the Second Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake
  2. Realignment of U.S. Forces Japan
  3. Absence of the representative of the Government of the Republic of Korea at the Ceremony to Commemorate the Second Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake

1. Response of the Government of China to the Ceremony to Commemorate the Second Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake

Yamaguchi, TV TOKYO: Yesterday, the Government of Japan held the Ceremony to Commemorate the Second Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Representatives of China and the Republic of Korea were absent from the ceremony. I have heard that the absence of the ROK representative was not intentional. On the other hand, China was absent in protest to the Japanese Government’s treatment of Taiwan at the ceremony. I would like to ask you for your frank view on this matter and about future actions by the Japanese Government, if there is any.

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: First of all, concerning China’s absence, we were informed in advance that they would be absent from the ceremony due to the Japanese Government’s treatment of Taiwan. In fact, the representative of China did not attend the ceremony. In addition, I understand that a statement by the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson on this matter was published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

The Government of Japan has been explaining that we need to treat Taiwan in an appropriate manner considering the extraordinary support they gave us, and that the arrangements at the ceremony do not mean any change in Japan’s stance on Taiwan, which is stated in the Japan-China Joint Communiqué. It is extremely regrettable that the Chinese side did not understand our view and decided to be absent from the ceremony.

Japan has maintained the basic stance stipulated in the Japan-China Joint Communique of 1972. This has not changed. Although it is extremely regrettable that China did not attend the ceremony, I would like to continue to make steady efforts to improve Japan-China relations, from a broad perspective and the fundamental standpoint that ours is a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests. Although we face various issues and difficulties, we need to promote continuous efforts to deepen our relationship.

2. Realignment of U.S. Forces Japan

Yamaguchi, TV TOKYO: Regarding the relocation of Futenma Air Station in Okinawa, it has been reported that Nago Fisheries Cooperative Association held an extraordinary general meeting and decided to give consent to landfill application. Could you tell us your view on this issue, as well as the current review status of the landfill application schedule?

Minister Kishida: First, I was informed that the extraordinary general meeting of the Nago Fisheries Cooperative Association adopted a resolution to leave the matter to its board of executives. We are in the phase where the Ministry of Defense will continue making requests in order to receive written consent. That is what I have heard. In any case, we have yet to receive the written consent.

Concerning the landfill application, we have not fixed the schedule or anything yet. We will go through with what must be done in the various required processes. The stance of the Government of Japan is that we would like to take such an approach that enables us to make progress on each task.

3. Absence of the representative of the Government of the Republic of Korea at the Ceremony to Commemorate the Second Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake

Matsumoto, Jiji Press: Regarding the Ceremony to Commemorate the Second Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, what is your view on the absence of the representative of the ROK?

Minister Kishida: We received a message from the ROK on that issue. I understand that it was caused by a clerical error. In the evening of March 11, ROK Ambassador to Japan Shin Kak-soo explained to Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Chikao Kawai that he, Ambassador Shin, had not had any intention of being absent from the ceremony. The ROK side explained that his absence was due to a clerical error.

Nishikawa, TBS: Have there been any explanations about further details about the clerical error?

Minister Kishida: I have not received any information about further details.

Matsumoto, Jiji Press: Am I correct in understanding that there is no issue regarding the absence of the representative of the ROK?

Minister Kishida: It has been confirmed that we received such a message from the ROK side.

Minister Kishida: Has the Government of Japan issued any comment or statement to Ambassador Shin?

Minister Kishida: I have not received any reports on that.

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