Top > Announcement > Press Conference by the Press Secretary of MOFA > 18 November 2010

Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 18 November 2010

  1. Press Conference by Prime Minister Kan Following the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and "Yokohama Vision - Bogor and Beyond"
  2. JAPAN-US Summit Meeting
  3. Japan-China Summit Meeting
  4. Japan-Russia Summit Meeting
  5. Japan-Korea Summit Meeting
  6. Joint Statement on the Conclusion of Negotiations for an Economic Partnership between Japan and Peru
  7. Statement by Mr. Maehara, Minister for Foreign Affairs on the Release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
  8. Statement by Mr. Tokunaga, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs on the occasion of the First Meeting of State Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions
  9. Statement by Ms. Makiko Kikuta, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan on the occasion of the Pakistan Development Forum
  10. Statement by the Press Secretary on the Adoption of the Resolution on Elimination of Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy and their Family Members at the Third Committee of the 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
  11. Statement by Mr. Matsumoto, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan at the Meeting of the United Nations Security Council
  12. VIP Meetings
  13. Questions concerning Coordination between the APEC and G20 Summits
  14. Question concerning Possible Shuttle Diplomacy by the Leaders of Japan and the Republic of Korea
  15. Question concerning the Transfer of Archives to the Republic of Korea
  16. Questions concerning Future Three Party Summits
  17. Question concerning the Procedure for Japanese Citizens for Visiting the Northern Territories
  18. Question concerning a Possible Visit by Prime Minister Kan to Russia
  19. Question concerning the Possibility of a Nuclear Test in North Korea

  1. Press Conference by Prime Minister Kan Following the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and "Yokohama Vision - Bogor and Beyond"

    2. Deputy Press Secretary Hidenobu Sobashima: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Today I have a number of topics, before inviting your questions, to share with you.

    First we have distributed the remarks of Prime Minister Kan as the chair of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Yokohama. The Prime Minister said on November 14 that the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting has been successfully concluded with important results. The leaders adopted the "Yokohama Vision - Bogor and Beyond" which is aimed at making the region's economic growth even more sustainable so that it will provide greater traction to the world economy. To that end the leaders agreed on several points. One major item amongst them is to organize a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) toward the year 2020. The Prime Minister explained that in Japan, ahead of APEC meeting, the Government adopted the Basic Policy on Comprehensive Economic Partnerships as a cabinet decision. In accordance with this, Japan will engage in this area in terms of a new round of the opening up of Japan in the 21st century as well as work on agricultural revival. I will skip the other parts, except that the Prime Minister had, on the occasion of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, bilateral meetings with the United States, China, Russia, the Republic of Korea, Canada, Chile and Peru.

  2. JAPAN-US Summit Meeting

    3. After the Japan-United States summit meeting was over, the two leaders issued fact sheets. Three fact sheets: One is on new US-Japan initiatives, the second on US-Japan cooperation on reducing nuclear risks, the third is the fact sheet submitted by Japan entitled "Strengthening the exchange between Japan and the United States for further deepening of the Japan-US Alliance." I will orally explain just briefly some of the summit meetings. In Prime Minister Kan's meeting with President Obama, the two leaders agreed to further develop the Japan-US Alliance. President Obama invited Prime Minister Kan to the United States in the first half of next year. The two leaders agreed that they would consider, on that occasion, issuing the vision of the Japan-US alliance for the 21st century by such a form as joint declaration.

  3. Japan-China Summit Meeting

    4. In the meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Prime Minister Kan explained Japan's position on the Senkaku islands. The two leaders agreed on developing a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests and to promote exchanges between the Governments and also the private sectors of the two countries and enhance cooperation in the economic areas and other areas which have a global connotation.

  4. Japan-Russia Summit Meeting

    5. In Prime Minister Kan's meeting with President Medvedev of the Russian Federation, Prime Minister Kan protested to the visit of the president to Kunashiri island. The two leaders agreed that for the purpose of resolving the territorial issue and for the purpose of developing their economic relationship, the two countries should have discussions at various levels including the highest level, i.e. between the two leaders.

  5. Japan-Korea Summit Meeting

    6. As for Prime Minister Kan's meeting with President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea (ROK), on that occasion the Foreign Ministers of the two countries signed the document for the transfer of precious archives such as the royal protocols of the Joseon dynasty.

  6. Joint Statement on the Conclusion of Negotiations for an Economic Partnership between Japan and Peru

    7. On the occasion of Prime Minister Kan's meeting with the President of Peru, the two leaders declared the successful conclusion of negotiations of an Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries. We have distributed the Joint Statement on the Conclusion of Negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and Peru.

  7. Statement by Mr. Maehara, Minister for Foreign Affairs on the Release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

    8. The next topic is the release of Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi. We have distributed the statement issued on November 13 by Foreign Minister Maehara. The Government of Japan views the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as a step forward as we had been deeply concerned about the fact that the pro-democracy leader in Myanmar had been under house arrest for many years. We expect the Government of Myanmar to take further positive measures in the future to realize the improvement of the human rights movement, democratization, and national reconciliation.

  8. Statement by Mr. Tokunaga, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs on the occasion of the First Meeting of State Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions

    9. The next topic is the Meeting of State Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. We have distributed the text of the statement of Mr. Tokunaga Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs made on November 9. I would like to draw your attention to the penultimate paragraph on the second page on the third line. It says that the Government of Japan has provided assistance of more than 5.6 million US dollars to affected countries including Lao PDR for cluster munitions clearance and victim assistance. If we include the projects that were ongoing at the time of the signing, the figure reaches about 12 million US dollars. Effective utilization of the cooperation framework will contribute to the convention's increasing effectiveness. Japan is determined to play an active role in this field. This is part of the statement delivered by Parliamentary Vice-Minister Tokunaga.

  9. Statement by Ms. Makiko Kikuta, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan on the occasion of the Pakistan Development Forum

    10. Then the statement by Ms. Kikuta, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs on the occasion of the Pakistan Development Forum. The statement was made on November 15 in Islamabad. I would like to draw your attention to the second paragraph from the bottom on the first page. It says "Japan sent six helicopters with about 520 personnel in total from the Self Defense Forces and two batches of medical teams, both as Japan disaster relief teams. We also provided assistance aimed at an early recovery including emergency humanitarian assistance and repairs of rural roads and bridges in Sindh Province. On top of these I have the honor today to announce that we will provide additional 500 million US dollars worth of assistance. Specifically, we will provide the Government of Pakistan with approximately 233 million US dollars worth of additional soft loans. Furthermore we will provide approximately 267 million US dollars worth of assistance for the work of international organizations, subject to Diet approval." The reason why she said subject to Diet approval is because we submitted the draft supplementary budget now under discussion in the Diet. So subject to the approval of the Diet, the second assistance will be realized.

  10. Statement by the Press Secretary on the Adoption of the Resolution on Elimination of Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy and their Family Members at the Third Committee of the 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

    11. Then we have the Statement of the Press Secretary on the Adoption of the Resolution on Elimination of Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy and their Family Members at the Third Committee of the 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. On November 16, the Resolution on Elimination of Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy and their Family Members submitted by Japan, was unanimously adopted at the Third Committee of the 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This was the first time said resolution was adopted at the Third Committee of the 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. This resolution was intended to eliminate prejudice spreading from misinformation about and misunderstanding of the disease by encouraging governments and other actors to give due consideration to the principles and the guidelines for the elimination of the discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members. It holds an important significance as it greatly contributes to the elimination of discrimination against leprosy in the world. Japan highly values the adoption of this resolution and will continue making proactive efforts toward the elimination of discrimination against leprosy.

  11. Statement by Mr. Matsumoto, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan at the Meeting of the United Nations Security Council

    12. And then the Statement by Mr. Matsumoto, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan at the meeting of the United Nations Security Council devoted to the discussion on the issues of Sudan on November 16. I would draw your attention to page three. In the middle it says that the international committee must continue to actively support Sudan in its efforts to build peace. Since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), Japan has extended assistance to Sudan in the amount of approximately 440 million dollars. For the referenda scheduled for early next year, we have disbursed approximately 8.17 million dollars in aid to support the procurement of voting materials and voter education programs, and are currently preparing to dispatch a monitoring team to monitor the Southern Sudan Referendum. Japan will spare no effort in providing cooperation aimed at the achievement of peace and stability in Sudan. So this is part of the statement delivered by State Secretary Matsumoto.

  12. VIP Meetings

    13. I would like also to inform you that Foreign Minister Maehara had meetings with his counterparts and heads of international organizations such as the Foreign Minister of Mongolia on the November 16 and the Foreign Minister of Iceland yesterday, November 17. Also, yesterday Mr. Antonio Guterrez, United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees. Also, yesterday evening, Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization. I will not explain what was discussed in these meeting, but if you are interested I will be ready to explain the outlines of the Foreign Minister's meeting with these people. As for the visits, first the President of Mongolia. His Excellency Mr. Elbegdorj, President of Mongolia is in Japan. He is scheduled to make an address in the Japanese Diet this afternoon, among other programs. In December we have his Excellency Mr. Juan Evo Morales Aima, President of the Pluralarian National State of Bolivia coming to Japan. And as for the other visits, I think next week from November 23 to November 26 we have Dr. Salam Fayyed Minister of Finance of the Palestinian Authority coming to Japan. Again next week from November 24 to 27, her Excellency Mrs. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO will be coming to Japan. So this is the information about the visits and now I invite your questions.

  13. Questions concerning Coordination between the APEC and G20 Summits

    14. Q: Regarding the APEC and the G20 Summit, if I may ask, how closely did you work together by preparing the APEC Summit and keeping in mind what was already discussed at the G20 Summit? I mean, there were some references in the documents but how closely did you work together with the people who prepared the G20 Summit?

    Mr. Sobashima: The Prime Minister himself, of course, participated both in the G20 Summit and chaired the APEC meetings. He prepared himself, of course, and also the officials concerned made preparations. As you correctly pointed out, it was the intended purpose of ourselves, the Government of Japan, that the results of the G20 should be reflected in the APEC Leaders' Meeting. From this perspective, the Government made preparations, but I think it's not appropriate in this forum of a press conference to explain the detailed efforts of officials. Rather I would like to emphasize that the Prime Minister himself who participated in both summit meetings had his leadership.

    Q: One follow-up if I may. Were there some topics, for example, President Lee, I know it's quite hard to ask, asked Prime Minister Kan to discuss further at the APEC meeting?

    Mr. Sobashima: I'm afraid I don't have the information on that. But in place of responding to your question, I would like to refer to the discussion held by the two leaders in Yokohama. President Lee Myung-bak thanked Prime Minister Kan for the cooperation offered by Japan in the G20 Seoul Summit in various aspects. President Lee Myung-bak stated that because there are overlaps between the agenda items of the G20 and the APEC leaders meeting, he felt that effective discussions were made in the two summit meetings. Thus, he extended high appreciation to the Japanese side. This is what we understand President Lee Myung-bak expressed to Prime Minister Kan. So instead of responding to your question I explained what was stated by President Lee Myung-bak to Prime Minister Kan in Yokohama.

  14. Question concerning Possible Shuttle Diplomacy by the Leaders of Japan and the Republic of Korea

    15. Q: Can I stay with the topic of the ROK and Japan? There was some information I could read in the newspaper. There should be the shuttle diplomacy taking place this year. Are there any visits scheduled for Prime Minister Kan to visit the ROK or President Lee Myung-bak coming again to Japan this year?

    Mr. Sobashima: Yes I know the reports and it's a fact that the two leaders agreed to closely coordinate between the two countries on various issues. That may indicate frequent contacts even at the highest level and frequent visits but further than that I would refrain from commenting.

  15. Question concerning the Transfer of Archives to the Republic of Korea

    16. Q: Just a point of clarification for myself, the archives you mentioned that are to be handed over by the Japanese side, are they the same as those that were already mentioned during the 100th anniversary where there were some special gifts acknowledged, given to the ROK?

    Mr. Sobashima: There is a consistency between what Prime Minister Kan stated on August 10, and the agreement signed on November 14. The documents in question are precious archives such as the royal protocols of the Joseon dynasty. That was stated when the Prime Minister made a statement on August 10 and the document signed covers the same documents.

  16. Questions concerning Future Three Party Summits

    17. Q: There were the three party summits taking place in former times in former years. I think it is already time again to have these three party summits between the ROK, China and Japan. What are the plans for these three party summits?

    Mr. Sobashima: Looking back to the history of Japan, China, and ROK summit meetings, they started being held on the occasion of the ASEAN Summit Meetings, but later they were summit meetings independently held. This year the ROK was the chair of the tripartite summit meeting. Next year Japan will be the chair. My understanding is that Japan would offer the venue and the timing for next year and then would organize the summit meeting.

    Q: But you have no concrete plans?

    Mr. Sobashima: No, I have no concrete plan to inform you of at this moment.

  17. Question concerning the Procedure for Japanese Citizens for Visiting the Northern Territories

    18. Q: If I may go on to another topic, I could read in the newspaper that Prime Minister Kan has no plans to visit the Northern Territories at the moment. I actually would like to know how this would happen, if he had plans to visit the Northern Territories? Does he do this by going to Moscow or to Russia and then visit them or directly?

    Mr. Sobashima: I read the report but I haven't confirmed the information directly so I would like to refrain from commenting on what sort of statement the Prime Minister himself made. Having said this, and again, I am not referring to the Prime Minister's visit or some ministers' visits, there are arrangements, so far made, and I think there should be the continuation of these arrangements that Japanese officials or Japanese people are able to visit the Northern Territories without obtaining a visa from the Russian federation. So we have the arrangements between the two countries and under these arrangements, from the Japanese side we have the visits to the Northern Territories already. I would like to explain to you that if we are to do something vis-à-vis the Northern Territories, we would do so without prejudicing our position on the territories.

  18. Question concerning a Possible Visit by Prime Minister Kan to Russia

    19. Q: I also read that Prime Minister Kan was invited to Russia. Are there any plans when he will visit the country?

    Mr. Sobashima: No. There is no specific timing. I would like to explain that yes you are quite right; President Medvedev invited Prime Minister Kan to visit Russia at the appropriate timing next year. Prime Minister Kan thanked President Medvedev for the invitation and said he would like to consider his possible visit to Russia. So this is what the two leaders exchanged and there is no specific plan or timing of the visit yet. These exchanges were made on November 13 in Yokohama.

  19. Question concerning the Possibility of a Nuclear Test in North Korea

    20. Q: If I may, the last question, regarding another topic, the North Korea Defense Report mentioned there are some activities in North Korea on the nuclear side of North Korea, and there could be another nuclear test by North Korea. Do you have any information you could share with us on this topic?

    Mr. Sobashima: Regarding the reports we have come across, particularly the press reports as you referred to, the Government of Japan has been collecting and analyzing the information relating to the possible development of nuclear capabilities by North Korea, but because of the nature of the information I would like to refrain from replying to your question. In any event it is not permissible, from a Japanese security perspective as well as the perspectives of regional peace and stability, that North Korea should develop nuclear capabilities. Therefore Japan intends to continue to consult parties such as the United States and the ROK to resolve this issue and other issues on North Korea. Thank you very much for coming.

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