Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 18 March 2010

Draft basic law on climate change countermeasures
COP15 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Visit to Japan by H.E. Bernard Kouchner, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the French Republic
Visit by Parliamentary Vice Minister Chinami Nishimura to Russia and Beijing
26th Annual Conference of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group
Oku-Inoue Commemorative Youth UN Visit Program to visit the UN Headquarters
VIP Visits
Questions concerning Japan's defense under the US nuclear umbrella
Question concerning Japan's ability to develop nuclear weapons
Questions concerning the Chinese Yuan
Questions concerning worldwide nuclear disarmament
Follow-up question concerning Japan's defense under the US nuclear umbrella
Questions concerning the proposal at CITES COP15 to list Atlantic bluefin tuna in Appendix 1
Question concerning CO2 emissions reduction targets
Questions concerning the visit by Parliamentary Vice Minister Chinami Nishimura to Russia

Draft basic law on climate change countermeasures

Deputy Press Secretary Hidenobu Sobashima: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Today I have several topics that I would like to share with you before inviting you to ask questions.

The first is - we have distributed a sheet - the structure of the draft basic law on climate change countermeasures. Last Friday, the Government of Japan decided on the draft law, and this draft law was submitted to the Diet - the basic law on climate change countermeasures.

As you know, Prime Minister Hatoyama in the United Nations meeting expressed the Japanese position to counter climate change. He explained the intention that Japan will reduce the emissions by 25% in 2020 compared to the level in 1990. It is also the objective of Japan to reduce the emissions by 80% in 2050 compared to 1990. In order to achieve this, the Government decided on a draft law, and this draft law will be discussed in the Diet. We hope that the discussion will take place soon, and the law will be enacted soon.

Just to explain a couple of the highlights of this law, of course the purpose is to achieve reduction of emissions while ensuring economic growth, stable employment, and stable supply of energy, and at the same time contributing to conservation of the global environment, and eventually ensuring the present and future healthy and culturally rich lives of the Japanese people.

In order to achieve these objectives, the Government has decided, among others, the creation of a domestic emissions trading mechanism, and also we propose a global warming tax system overall. In addition, we intend to promote the use of renewable energy, including through a feed-in tariff for renewable energy. These are the proposals, and we envisage discussion in the Diet. This is the first topic that I would like to present to you.

Related Information (Climate Change)

COP15 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Mr. Sobashima: The second is COP15 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The CITES meetings are currently underway in Doha, Qatar, from Saturday last week, 13 March, until 25 March. As you know, one of the big issues is the proposal to list Atlantic bluefin tuna in Appendix 1. And as you know, Japan is opposed to this proposal. The reason why we oppose this proposal is because we believe, on the basis of accurate scientific data, that the resources situation is not as bad as the proponents of the proposal are suggesting, and we feel that the tuna and marine resources should be best regulated under regional authorities, such as the International Commission for Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in this case. So we are now making efforts for the parties concerned to understand our position, and we hope that as many parties as possible would support our position to oppose the proposal for listing Atlantic bluefin tuna in Appendix 1 of the CITES Convention.

Visit to Japan by H.E. Bernard Kouchner, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the French Republic

Mr. Sobashima: The third topic is the visit of the French Foreign Minister. For this we distributed a press release. Mr. Bernard Kouchner, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the French Republic will visit Japan today and tomorrow. During his stay in Japan, Minister Kouchner will exchange views with Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, on Japan-France bilateral relations, and international challenges including climate change, as well as disarmament and non-proliferation. Ministers Okada and Kouchner will hold a joint press conference this evening at Iikura House.

The already friendly relations between Japan and France are expected to be strengthened further as a result of his visit.

Visit by Parliamentary Vice Minister Chinami Nishimura to Russia and Beijing

Mr. Sobashima: The next topic is the visit by Parliamentary Vice Minister Chinami Nishimura to Russia and Beijing. Ms. Nishimura will visit from today the far-eastern part of Russia and Beijing until Tuesday next week, 23 March. She will visit Vladivostok tomorrow, 19 March, and on Saturday, 20 March, she will be attending a ceremony of the completion of dismantling of nuclear submarines in far-eastern Russia. Just for your information, for the dismantling of Russian nuclear submarines, Japan has extended cooperation.

Also she will visit Beijing, because a Japanese delegation of youth of around 500 people will be visiting China from the coming Sunday, 21 March, until Saturday, 27 March, and Ms. Nishimura will be heading this delegation.

26th Annual Conference of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group

Mr. Sobashima: The next is the 26th Annual Conference of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group which will be held in Hampshire, in the United Kingdom, from today, 18 March, until Sunday, 21 March. This conference will be attended by 18 members on the Japanese side, including Mr. Ikuo Yamahana, a member of the House of Representatives; Mr. Tomoji Nakatani, a member of the House of Councillors; Mr. Itsunori Onodera, a member of the House of Councillors; Mr. Naoki Tanaka, President of the Center for International Public Policy Studies; and Mr. Taizo Yakushiji, Research Director of the Institute for International Policy Studies.

On the British side 20 members will attend the conference, including Lord Cunningham of Felling, UK Chair, who is a member of the House of Lords and a former cabinet minister; Dr. Robin Niblett, Director of Chatham House; and Mr. Bill Emmott, former editor of The Economist.

In this conference, discussion will take place under the following themes: (i) latest developments in Japan and East Asia; (ii) latest developments in the United Kingdom and Europe; (iii) the challenges of recovering from the global economic crisis and its impact on international trade, investment, and financial flows; (iv) the changing international geopolitical structure and its impact on global and regional security; (v) the agenda on climate change for the Copenhagen summit and the strategies needed in response; and (vi) prospects for UK-Japan relations and progress in developing bilateral collaboration.

On the afternoon of 18 March, today, the Japanese members will pay a courtesy call on the Hon. David Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom, in London.

Oku-Inoue Commemorative Youth UN Visit Program to visit the UN Headquarters

Mr. Sobashima: The next topic is the visit of youth, in fact senior high students and junior high students, to New York, under the program named "Oku-Inoue Commemorative Youth UN Visit Program." The eight students who won the prizes in the speech contest and essay writing contest will be visiting New York from Tuesday next week, 23 March, until the following Sunday, 28 March, under this program.

This name of the program, as you may have noticed, includes the names of the two Japanese diplomats who fell victim to the terrorist attack in Iraq in November 2003. This program was initiated by Mr. Oku himself when he was director of the UN Policy Division. He started this program of sending youth in 2001.

In memory of Mr. Oku and Mr. Inoue, who made efforts for the peace and reconstruction of Iraq, we continue this program, with this new name of Oku-Inoue Commemorative Youth UN Visit Program, from fiscal 2005, that is from March 2006.

They are expected to visit the UN Headquarters, UNICEF [the United Nations Children's Fund] and UNESCO [the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization] offices, and Japanese and other countries' permanent missions to the United Nations. Also they are expected to meet Japanese officials of the United Nations, as well as senior high school students there.

We hope that this program would contribute to deepening the interest of those youths and that they would contribute to the peace and security of the world in the long run.

VIP Visits

Mr. Sobashima: Finally, some information on visits. The Tanzanian Prime Minister, the Hon. Mizengo Kayanza Peter Pinda, will be visiting Japan from Wednesday next week, 24 March, to Saturday 27 March, as a guest on a working visit.

There may be some other visits. These are the topics I would like to share with you today. Now I am ready to take your questions.

Questions concerning Japan's defense under the US nuclear umbrella

Q: Yesterday in parliament Foreign Minister Okada said that Japan, in an emergency, may be willing to allow the introduction of US nuclear weapons into Japanese territory, which I believe is the first time in history that Japan has ever made such an announcement publicly. Can you explain more clearly what is the current policy on this issue about the introduction of US nuclear weapons into Japanese territory under emergency circumstances?

Mr. Sobashima: Thank you for the question. I don’t intend to add to what the Foreign Minister said in the Diet, or I don’t intend to interpret what he meant by saying what he said, but please read his response very carefully in that context, in relation to the question asked.

Having said this, I will explain the Japanese position. The Japanese Government will continue to maintain the three non-nuclear principles; that is, not possessing, not manufacturing, and not introducing into Japan nuclear weapons. So we will continue to uphold and maintain these principles.

Also we do not envisage the possibility of nuclear weapons being introduced to Japan by the United States, because of the US nuclear policy, particularly that announced in 1991. We understand that the United States is not loading tactical nuclear weapons to the vessels coming to the area close to Japan. Therefore we don’t envisage that possibility at present.

To repeat what I said, we continue to maintain the three non-nuclear principles. That is the answer to your question.

Q: Just a comment on the same issue. We know that Japan is accepting nuclear umbrella protection from the United States. Do you think other countries, in the Middle East for example, should not be criticized if they decide to adopt protection by nuclear umbrella in the same way that Japan is doing?

Mr. Sobashima: Thank you very much for the question but I would rather refrain from hypothetical argument. But yes, we think it is a primary concern of each country to protect themselves of course. However, at the same time, Japan is aiming for a world without nuclear weapons. In the long term we hope that the international community will be able to achieve this. We are encouraged by US President Obama's statement, because he envisioned that possibility in the future. Therefore, while appreciating the need for the defense requirements, at the same time we hope that the international community will be able to promote nuclear disarmament, as well as non-proliferation.

In fact, the Government of Japan attaches great importance to this issue of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, therefore we hope that the situation will improve so that eventually countries will be able to live, as a result, without having recourse to nuclear weapons. In the meantime, Japan ourselves rely on the United States for our own security purposes, and we understand that there is a need for deterrence. However, with the efforts of the countries concerned I hope that the situation will improve so that your concern will be reduced.

I am sorry I am not answering your questions directly, but this is what I would like to say at this moment. Thank you.

Question concerning Japan's ability to develop nuclear weapons

Q: Yesterday the United States in a special report acknowledged that South Korea and Japan are able or have the possibility to develop very quickly nuclear weapons if they want to. Just for the background, did the Japanese Government ever say that they have the possibility - they will not, I know of course you follow the three principles - but they have the possibility, or the wisdom, to do that? Did the Government ever accept that, or say that?

Mr. Sobashima: No. Officially, we have consistently upheld, and we will continue to uphold, the non-nuclear principles.

Questions concerning the Chinese Yuan

Q: Regarding the pressure to appreciate the Chinese Yuan, coming from the US side, what is the Japanese position?

Mr. Sobashima: Thank you very much for the question. Yes, we know the reports, and what we would like to say is that both the United States and China are very important trading partners for Japan. This is the first point. Secondly, the issue of the Chinese currency is very important as there are many Japanese firms doing business with China. The issue of the Chinese currency is very important for those companies in particular. Therefore we would like to watch closely the situation. Apart from that we are not in a position to comment further.

Q: Japan is a very important member in the international economy, and therefore Japan should have a view on this issue, whether or not Japan should support the US position or not.

Mr. Sobashima: Sorry to repeat what I already said. Because the United States and China are very important trading partners, and the Chinese currency issue is very important, we are closely watching the situation.

Q: In the past, Japan has had a similar problem of pressure from outside regarding appreciation of the yen, and therefore Japan may sympathize with China about the current situation faced by China. What is your view on this?

Mr. Sobashima: Sorry for repeating for the third time. Because of the importance of this issue, Japan is closely watching the situation.

Questions concerning worldwide nuclear disarmament

Q: With regard to the nuclear umbrella, the first thing is that we have the three nuclear principles in Japan. At the same time we have everything that we are actually compliant with, so why do we need the umbrella, and you said for deterrence. Deterrence from which country? We have all friendly countries in our neighborhood. So actually deterrence from which country? The third one is that since the inception of Obama's Government this thing was one of the very important issues, that the people of the world will see a reduction, and after a long time has elapsed no development or achievements as such have been seen by the people of the world. Is the Japanese Government reminding the leaders of the countries that have huge stockpiles of nuclear arms? To what extent they have already reduced? If it has not been done, what role is the Japanese Government going to play in this?

Mr. Sobashima: I am not clear about your first question, so if I omit answering your question please remind me what your question was. For the second question, for example on the Korean peninsular, North Korea has not abandoned its nuclear program, and so certainly denuclearization of the Korean peninsular should be one of the important things, and there may be the possibility of other tensions in the region. So apart from going into the detail, we should be prepared for the eventuality of emergency. So for that eventuality of emergency, it is a policy of the Government of Japan that we rely on the United States for the deterrence.

For the next question, yes, we urge nuclear weapon states - the United States, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, France, China - those countries, to reduce their nuclear arsenals. Earlier we had the Security Council Summit Meeting, and we have such occasions at the United Nations First Committee Meetings - on various occasions we were urging nuclear weapons states to reduce the level of the nuclear weapons they possess. But of course in order to reduce the nuclear weapons there may be a sort of a balanced way. That is why currently the United States and the Russian Federation are negotiating, so we hope that the outcome of those negotiations would be a positive one, so as to be effective on the overall reduction of nuclear weapons. This is our position. I apologize if I missed your first question.

Q: In the same context, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs is coming to Japan. Will the Japanese Government take this opportunity, because for Japan this is one of the most important views, as the first ever victim of the atomic bomb, will the Japanese Government take this opportunity to express the feelings of the Japanese people to him?

Mr. Sobashima: Yes, I hope so. As I explained, Minister Okada and Minister Kouchner will be having a joint press conference, and perhaps then more detail will be explained by the ministers, but disarmament and non-proliferation is an issue that the two ministers are expected to discuss, so I hope for some positive outcome.

Q: Where is this press conference that they are going to hold?

Mr. Sobashima: Iikura House.

Follow-up question concerning Japan's defense under the US nuclear umbrella

Q: If I could do one more follow-up question on this issue. Through the nuclear umbrella, nuclear deterrence is one element of Japan's defense policy, but on a diplomatic level, Japan insists that other countries in the world do not have nuclear deterrence as part of their defense policies. So my question is, does the fact that Japan relies on a nuclear umbrella have a negative effect on Japan's moral authority when it comes to telling other countries about their own defense policies in terms of nuclear weapons?

Mr. Sobashima: Thank you for asking that question, but I feel I am not able to give you a satisfactory answer to that question. What I would like to say is that, yes, we maintain the three non-nuclear principles, and we rely on the United States for the security purposes. At the same time we hope that the international situation will become better so that the degree of the dependence will be reduced. Perhaps that sort of discussion will be very useful in the international scene, such as the First Committee in the United Nations, as well as perhaps in the Japanese Diet. Thank you for asking that.

Questions concerning the proposal at CITES COP15 to list Atlantic bluefin tuna in Appendix 1

Q: Coming back to COP15, did Japan already raise the support of some other countries? Do you have any numbers you can share with us?

Mr. Sobashima: The short answer is no. But as you know, the decision will be made by two thirds of the parties voting, and we hope that we will be able to get the support of more than one-third of those present and voting so that we will be able to block adoption of the proposal. But we don’t have the numbers now.

Q: So up to now there is still...

Mr. Sobashima: We are making efforts so that we will be able to block the adoption. It is not easy, we understand, but we are making our best efforts.

Q: Is there a worst case scenario already that you can share with us?

Mr. Sobashima: No, I'm sorry, we are currently making best efforts to defeat the proposal.

Question concerning CO2 emissions reduction targets

Q: Regarding the CO2 emissions reduction, do you have any figures about the aims of the Kyoto Protocol that Japan has to fulfill by 2012, and how this is developing?

Mr. Sobashima: There may be a difference, but I don’t have detailed information here. The only thing I would like to explain is what I explained earlier that we are now making efforts to achieve the proposal made by Prime Minister Hatoyama to reduce by 25% in 2020 compared to 1990. This is our main purpose. I don’t have the detailed materials here to answer your question on the situation vis-à-vis the Kyoto Protocol.

Related Information (Climate Change)

Questions concerning the visit by Parliamentary Vice Minister Chinami Nishimura to Russia

Q: To follow-up on the visit of the Parliamentary Vice Minister in Vladivostok, are there also political talks, or is this more a formal visit to Russia.

Mr. Sobashima: She is expected to meet the Governor in Vladivostok, but I don’t have the information if she will be meeting central Government officials, so it is at the local Government level that there will be official meetings. I am not aware of a meeting with central Government officials.

Q: There is the problem that there are restrictions coming up for used vehicles from Japan being sold in Russia. Is this is topic too?

Mr. Sobashima: No, what I said is that the purpose of the visit is to attend the ceremony of completion of dismantling of nuclear submarines. We are not aware of any other topics.

If there are no other questions, thank you very much for attending.

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