Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 8 July 2010

Meeting between Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico
Establishment of an "Advisory Panel of Experts on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation"
Declassification of diplomatic records
"Election Visits Program" to be Conducted in Japan Under the Framework of the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF)
Earth Return of the HAYABUSA
Question concerning the holding of a nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation meeting
Questions concerning the Northern Territories
Questions concerning Japan's cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy
Questions concerning Japan's cooperation for climate change

Meeting between Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico

Deputy Press Secretary Hidenobu Sobashima: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I have several topics to share with you before answering your questions. We have distributed the papers, so basically I will explain along with those papers.

The first topic is Foreign Minister Okada's meeting with his Mexican counterpart, Ms. Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico. The meeting took place Monday, so this is already three or four days old, but what I would like to explain is not so much on the bilateral relations but on climate change. As you know, Mexico will be hosting the very important COP 16 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change at the end of this year. Of course the two ministers exchanged views on climate change, and if you have a look at the second section, entitled "climate change", it says "The two ministers agreed to cooperate with each other in bringing to a success the 16th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 16) to be held in Mexico at the end of this year. Secretary Espinosa pointed out the importance of discussions involving a broad range of parties concerned including least developed countries, fragile nations such as island states and the private sector, and of early disbursement of funding for assistance pledged so far. She added that Mexico would like to take up these issues at various meetings scheduled ahead. Minister Okada stated that on the basis of the Copenhagen Accord, a new comprehensive legal document should be adopted that will constitute a fair and effective international framework participated in by all major countries. He also stated that REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries)+ is one of the important agenda items and that Japan will host the Ministerial Conference on Forest Preservation and Climate Change this October", on the margins of COP 10 of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Just for your reference, we also distributed the paper on the Japanese basic position and policy on climate change. As climate change threatens the humanity, its resolution is the responsibility of the international community for the next generation. Japan will continue to exert leadership toward an early adoption of one new comprehensive legal document establishing a fair and effective international framework in which all major economies participate based on the Copenhagen Accord. Japan has set an ambitious target of emission reduction, that is 20% reduction by 2020 compared to the 1990 level. Japan is supporting developing countries with the assistance totaling approximately 15 billion dollars, to be implemented by 2012, and in this connection already we have implemented assistance totaling more than 5 million dollars by the end of April this year. And, as I already explained, in explaining the Minister's remarks to his Mexican counterpart, "Japan will host the Ministerial Meeting/Conference on Forest Conservation, Cooperation and Climate Change on the margins of Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 10)."

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Establishment of an "Advisory Panel of Experts on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation"

Mr. Sobashima: The second topic is the establishment of an "Advisory Panel of Experts on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation". The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established an "Advisory Panel of Experts on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation" comprising the members listed here: Dr. Mitsuru Kurosawa as chair, Mr. Nobumasa Akiyama, Dr. Hiromichi Umebayashi, Dr. Heigo Sato, and Dr. Fumihiko Yoshida as members. And also, Minister Okada and Parliamentary Vice-Minister Tokunaga will participate when appropriate.

In order to achieve the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons, the Government of Japan believes that it should continue to exercise leadership in the international community. The Advisory Panel is requested to express opinions on Japan's policy on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation based on consultations with Minister for Foreign Affairs Katsuya Okada. The first meeting took place last Tuesday, 6 July. The panel members discussed various nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation issues, including what should be the possible meeting that Japan is considering to host, perhaps in September on the margins of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York, who should be invited, what should be the topics; these things among others they discussed in the meeting held last Tuesday.

Again, for your reference, we have distributed a paper on Japan's basic stance and policy on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Being the only country that has suffered from atomic bombings during wartime, Japan intends to exercise its leadership toward achieving a goal without nuclear weapons, by proposing realistic measures, and ensuring their steady implementation. We have contributed in the NPT Conference, and we are very glad that the NPT Review Conference held in May was successful in producing the final document.

In the second section it says, "It is essentially important to intensify efforts to keep current momentum, even after the NPT Review Conference, toward realization of a world without nuclear weapons. Japan will lead such efforts of the international community together with partner countries through the following measures." The first, "Japan will contribute to ensuring steady implementation of the action plan agreed by the 2010 NPT Review Conference, and Japan will lead high-level discussions to realize a world of decreased nuclear risk on the way to a world without nuclear weapons". As I already mentioned we are considering organizing a possible ministerial meeting on the margins of the UN meetings, perhaps in September. The second is, "Japan will lead international efforts to promote education for disarmament and non-proliferation". And the third, "Japan will redouble its efforts for non-proliferation to prevent the reemergence of states possessing nuclear weapons". This is the basic position of Japan on the issue of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

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Declassification of diplomatic records

Mr. Sobashima: Next, I will make an oral report, because we don't have an English paper to share with you. This is on declassification of diplomatic records. From yesterday, 29 files of diplomatic documents on the negotiations on the reversion of Okinawa, and 8 files of diplomatic papers on the negotiations on the revision of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty are open to the public in the Library of Diplomatic Records. This is the first of the documents made public after the Ministry decided in May on the rule for declassification of diplomatic records. We had the committee to promote declassification of diplomatic documents, headed by Parliamentary Vice Minister Nishimura, and this committee identified these files. That is, the files of the papers on the negotiations on the reversion of Okinawa, and also negotiations on the revision of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty. At this moment the files, or documents, are viewed through CD-ROMs in the Library of Diplomatic Records of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As soon as the preparations are ready, the original documents themselves will be made public for viewing by the public.

"Election Visits Program" to be Conducted in Japan Under the Framework of the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF)

Mr. Sobashima: The fourth item is the "Election Visits Program" to be conducted in Japan Under the Framework of the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF). As you know, next Sunday we will have elections of the House of Councillors. On this occasion, an "Election Visits Program" will be organized in Japan. Officials in charge of elections in Asian countries will be invited to Japan from today, 8 July, to Tuesday next week, 13 July, to visit sites and obtain information concerning relevant matters in Japan, such as systems of democracy, national election and administration.

The participants are Dr. Ketut Putra Erawan, Executive Director of the Institute for Peace and Democracy (IPD) in Udayana University in Bali, and around 40 other people, including mid-level officials and young researchers involved in the area of elections. They are scheduled to undergo various programs, including a workshop with university professors and other experts as lecturers, a study tour of six polling stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area and a visit to the National Diet.

This Program will be implemented under the framework of the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF), based on the Chair's statement issued at last year's BDF session. Japan and Indonesia will be cooperating with the IPD in the process of implementation of this Program. It is expected that the participants will deepen their understanding of democracy in Asia, particularly in the area of elections, through their shared experience obtained during the elections in Japan.

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Earth Return of the HAYABUSA

Mr. Sobashima: Finally we have distributed the paper on the earth return of the HAYABUSA. I will read the first part of this paper and I hope you can read the latter part for yourselves.

The asteroid explorer HAYABUSA (the Japanese word for Falcon) returned to earth on 13 June this year, following a seven-year, approximately 6 billion kilometer round trip journey to the asteroid Itokawa. The HAYABUSA is the first spacecraft to land on a celestial body other than the Moon and then return to Earth.

We list three paragraphs explaining what were new about the HAYABUSA's journey. With the exception of lunar probes, to date planet and asteroid probes have only taken one-way trips and remained permanently at their destinations or floating in space. However, round-trip flight is essential for next-generation exploration.

The HAYABUSA was launched in May 2003 and reached the asteroid Itokawa – approximately 300 million kilometers from Earth – in 2005. The HAYABUSA made history as the first spacecraft to land and return from a celestial body other than the Moon. It also achieved the longest spaceflight in history at 2,592 days.

The HAYABUSA capsule, which may contain a sample from Itokawa, was successfully recovered from the Woomera Desert in Australia. If the capsule does contain a sample, it will be the first sample from an asteroid brought back to earth and may provide precious clues about the origin and evolution of the Solar System.

You have the pictures with the courtesy of Dr. Akihiro Ikeshita.

These are the topics I would like to share with you, and I invite your questions.

Question concerning the holding of a nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation meeting

Q: This nuclear conference, will that be in New York or in Japan?

Mr. Sobashima: In New York.

Questions concerning the Northern Territories

Q: There was a Russian drill on the Northern Territories. Can you tell us a little bit more about that, and of course was the Government informed in advance?

Mr. Sobashima: Yes, we are aware that the Russian Federation was conducting the military drill in the far-east Siberia sub-region. Therefore we communicated to the Russian Government that should the Russian side conduct a military drill we are not able to withstand that in view of the legal position that Japan has concerning these territories and also the possible negative feeling which may be brought about in the Japanese people against Russia. This we have already communicated to the Russian side. However, we have found that on 5 July they have conducted the military drill in Etorofu Island. Therefore immediately we have confirmed that there was the military drill conducted, the Government of Japan communicated our protest through our embassy in Moscow to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. We stated that it is not permissible that the Russian side has conducted a military drill in Etorofu Island in view of the legal position that Japan has. Therefore it is extremely regrettable. And we requested Russia to stop the military drill immediately. So this is what we did concerning the military drill conducted in the Northern Territories.

Q: So you were not aware in advance that there was a military drill on Etorofu Island, but in general you were aware, they mentioned it before.

Mr. Sobashima: Yes, we were aware that they were planning or they were conducting military drills in the far eastern Siberia sub-region, but before confirming that the military drill actually took place, we already conveyed our view on the possible effect of the possible drill. But as I explained, on 5 July we have confirmed that they have conducted a drill, so we communicated the protest to the Russian Government. So this is what happened.

Q: Was there any reaction on 5 July by the Japanese military? Was there a changing in guard, or something like that, or did you just observe it and nothing else.

Mr. Sobashima: I am not in a position to explain the military situation or military reaction. Of course we are watching very closely what would be happening, but I would like to refrain from the detailed situation on the part of the Self-Defense Forces of Japan.

Q: There is a military airport on Etorofu Island and they fly everyday, so this is a kind of routine exercise. Is that okay, and only these bigger maneuvers Japan is objecting to, or do you object to the military airport there for the time being, on Etorofu Island?

Mr. Sobashima: I am not able to give you the detailed distinction between what types of military drill or what types of military activities are permissible and what types of military actions are not permissible, but basically military activities or drills are not permissible, as far as we are concerned, on the Northern Territories.

Q: What is permissible on the Northern Territories?

Mr. Sobashima: Military drills are not permissible.

Q: Just military drills. But other activities, like civilian activities, do you have any concern about any other things?

Mr. Sobashima: We hope the Russian side will pay cautious attention to our feelings, or our concern, and I would like to refrain from going into detail what sort of activities are permissible and what sort are not, but we hope that they will be very cautious.

Q: Can you share something with us about the Russian response?

Mr. Sobashima: The Russian side stated that according to their legal position they are opposed to the Japanese view expressed, and that the purpose of the military drill at that time was to cope with terrorist activities and crimes involving narcotic drugs and international criminal conducts, and these drills are not directed to any particular country. In any event, the protest or communication made from Japan will be communicated to the authorities concerned. This was their reaction.

Q: A British archive reveals that during the Thatcher years the Thatcher government actually sided with the Russians on the Northern Territories question. This was in the news last week. Are you aware of that, or were you aware of that before, that the British side in the 1980s sided, not publically, but diplomatically, with the Russians on Northern Territories questions, based on the San Francisco Treaty.

Mr. Sobashima: I am not aware of that particular report, however, our position remains the same.

Questions concerning Japan's cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy

Q: I have a question about the nuclear issue, especially your agreement with India. I read some reactions from the mayors of Nagasaki and Hiroshima stating reportedly that such agreement is against the NPT and it might damage the NPT regime. Do you have any counter comment on their position? What makes the Foreign Ministry correct and the mayors of Nagasaki and Hiroshima wrong about this issue?

Mr. Sobashima: I do not intend to say that our position is correct and the other positions are wrong, but I would like to explain why we have decided to start negotiations with India on the cooperation for peaceful use of nuclear energy. We have just started negotiations with India; we have not concluded these negotiations yet. Already Foreign Minister Okada explained in his press conference that we have made very cautious and careful consideration on this issue. Already in 2008 there was a decision or agreement of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to allow cooperation with India in view of India's commitment and fulfillment of commitment for non-proliferation, and the NSG was unanimous in making this decision. As a result of careful consideration, the Government of Japan decided to conduct negotiations with India to engage India with us, and by having the cooperation between Japan and India we intend to keep India honoring its commitment of non-proliferation. We also made consideration on three other areas. The first is impact of nuclear energy on the climate change and global warming issues, and secondly the overall bilateral relationship between Japan and India, and thirdly the effect on the energy and industrial aspects. As a result the Government decided to start negotiations on cooperation with India on peaceful use of nuclear energy. So this is what we have done. Without saying our position is right and the other positions are wrong, I just want to explain why we have decided to start negotiations with India.

Q: Does the Government of Japan think it desirable that India would join the NPT, and is the Government of Japan willing to pressure India to join the NPT?

Mr. Sobashima: Yes, we consider it desirable for India to join in the NPT as a non nuclear weapon state, however, we feel under the circumstances we should engage India and honor their commitment for non-proliferation if India is not joining the NPT.

Q: Pakistan and India are like hyphenated countries. You said Japan has started negotiations with India. Do you think you will ever plan to talk with Pakistan also?

Mr. Sobashima: I don't have any information to share with you at this moment. My understanding is that regardless of starting negotiations on cooperation we desire those countries outside the NPT to join the NPT, and also that they would make efforts for non-proliferation. I am sorry I don't have information to share with you to directly answer your question.

Q: If I may follow up, there are some countries that already joined the NPT but still Japan is applying international sanctions against such countries for merely suspicion, such as Iran, meanwhile you are cooperating with a country that is producing nuclear weapons. Don't you think it is contradictory, this position?

Mr. Sobashima: We don't think so. As for Iran, yes, we joined in the adoption of the latest Security Council resolution, and we view that Iran is not implementing the earlier Security Council resolutions, and they are not fully cooperating with the IAEA for safeguards. And although there was agreement in Tehran between Iran and Turkey and Brazil, however, they do not give up enrichment activities inside Iran, so that caused a kind of concern of the international community. That is why. The Foreign Minister himself made several meetings or phone conversions with his counterpart in Iran, and Foreign Minister Okada explained that the Iranian side should be more forthcoming for implementing UN resolutions, this is before the adoption of the newest UN resolution, that otherwise Japan may have to join the other members of the Security Council to adopt a resolution. So we hoped for reconsideration on the part of Iran to be more forthcoming with respect to the implementation of earlier UN Security Council resolutions, so that is why, because of the concern of the international community, we feel that we should call upon Iran to review their position.

Q: I am not sure what you mean by international community, but I know many countries who do not feel concern about Iran as much as they feel concern about the countries that already own nuclear weapons such as India that you are cooperating with. So how could you convince these countries, or like Nagasaki and Hiroshima, that is okay to cooperate with a nuclear country that owns nuclear weapons but it is not okay to cooperate with a country that is suspected of enriching uranium or suspected of having a nuclear program – there is no evidence but it is just suspected – so we have to apply sanctions to this country, but other country that has nuclear weapons already it is okay to make business or cooperation with them. Don't you think this contradiction undermines the moral leadership assumed by Japan in the world to lead the world to get rid of nuclear weapons, because the whole world looks at Japan as its natural leader to lead the nuclear weapon elimination from the world, as Japan is the only country to have been hit by such weapons?

Mr. Sobashima: Thank you for the question. I already explained that we had very cautious and careful consideration, and we have reached the conclusion. And I also said that our position is to engage India, and having India honor its commitment for non-proliferation. Of course, we hope also for the nuclear disarmament not only of India, but we urge all nuclear weapon states to make their efforts for a world without nuclear weapons. At the same time, the non-proliferation is very important, so in order to prevent the emergence of new countries with nuclear capacities we should cooperate with other members of the international community. So our answer to your question is yes, not only the non nuclear weapon states but also vis-à-vis nuclear weapon states, we urge their efforts for nuclear disarmament. This is the first point. I have repeatedly been saying that we are not seeking to cooperate with India without any restriction. We try to engage India to keep honoring its commitment. This is only possible by having cooperation. If you are away from India what you can do is limited. And another thing, yes, you said there is only doubt, however the Iranian government is on the record that they would continue enrichment activities domestically, so that is the concern. So on that point it is not just mere suspicion, but it is on the record that they intend to continue enrichment in Iran. So that is why the international community or the members of Security Council are concerned.

Q: On your last point, I think enriching uranium is allowed by the regime, and Japan already is enriching uranium, so what is the problem with Iran enriching uranium?

Mr. Sobashima: That relates to your explanation of suspicion, but of course Japan accepts the full safeguards of IAEA and Japan is cooperating fully with the IAEA, so we hope that Iran would cooperate with the IAEA in a manner that the IAEA would appreciate. And in any event we hope that Iran will comply with the requirements in the Security Council resolutions and we hope that the situation will improve.

Questions concerning Japan's cooperation for climate change

Q: Regarding climate change, it is mentioned that 15 million dollars have been spent. When is that from?

Mr. Sobashima: From the end of last year. This was announced by Prime Minister Hatoyama toward the end of last year, for almost three years.

Q: What kind of activities, in what fields, and in which countries are the recipients?

Mr. Sobashima: I don't have the detailed information; perhaps I can give it to you later, but those projects which are understood to be contributing to reduction of emissions or contributing to reforestation, for example. Those projects which are regarded as contributing to the fight against climate change will be eligible for Japanese cooperation. For the detail I will come back to you.

Q: You did not mention the countries.

Mr. Sobashima: I don't have the data with me, but I will come back to you later.

If you have no further questions, thank you very much for coming.

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