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Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 3 February 2011

1. The Situation in Egypt
2. Statement by the Press Secretary on the Convening of Myanmar's National Assembly
3. Negotiation of the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement
4. Workshop to Promote the Use of Renewable Energy
5. Global Forum on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Education
6. Diplomatic Visits
7. Questions concerning a Possible US-Japan Summit Meeting
8. Questions concerning the Diet Approval for Foreign Visits
9. Question concerning Japan-Russia Relations
10. Question concerning Japan-Korea Relations
11. Question concerning the Situation in Egypt
12. Questions concerning Remarks Made by Former Prime Minister Hatoyama
13. Question concerning the Strategic Dialogue between Japan and China
14. Question concerning the Northern Territories

The Situation in Egypt

Mr. Sobashima: On the situation in Egypt, early last week, large-scale demonstrations started in Egypt so we started monitoring the situation closely and on Wednesday 26 January we issued travel information to Japanese nationals to alert them. On Friday 28th we established a task force on the situation of the Middle East and North Africa headed by State Secretary Banno. On the next day, Saturday 29th, we established headquarters on the situation in the Middle East and North Africa headed by Foreign Minister Maehara. Since then we have been having the meetings of the headquarters everyday, morning and evening. This morning we had the eleventh meeting of the headquarters. In most of the meetings, Foreign Minister Maehara made a phone call to our Ambassador in Cairo, Ambassador Okuda, and checked the situation and considered the measures to be taken by the Government of Japan. On Sunday 30 January, Foreign Minister Maehara had a meeting with the Ambassador of Egypt. He explained the concern of the Government of Japan to the Ambassador and expressed his hope for the peaceful resolution of the situation. As for the travel information I mentioned earlier, we have updated this a couple of times, and also we issued travel advice to Japanese nationals. On 29 January we advised them to postpone traveling to Egypt. On 1 February, that is last Tuesday, we issued new travel advice. In addition to advising the Japanese to refrain from traveling to Egypt, we advised the Japanese nationals who are in Egypt to consider leaving Egypt as far as the situation permits, at the earliest opportunity. So these are about the travel advice and travel information. As for the assistance to Japanese nationals who wished to leave Egypt, the Government of Japan has arranged chartered flights, in addition to assisting Japanese nationals to confirm seats on commercial flights. We understand that commercial flights are available now. So as far as Japanese tourists are concerned, we expect that in a few days, almost all tourists will leave Egypt. As for Japanese residents in Egypt, as I explained, the current travel advice includes advising Japanese nationals to consider leaving at an early occasion if the situation permits it. We maintain contacts with Japanese nationals there through our embassy there.

Yesterday, as we have distributed, the Foreign Minister issued a new statement on the situation in Egypt. I will read this.

Japan traditionally enjoys friendly relations with Egypt and has developed cooperation in the fields of economy, politics and culture.
Japan has been closely monitoring the massive demonstrations and related situations in Egypt for the past several days. Today, a televised speech was delivered by President Mubarak, who has been the leader of Egypt for a long time.
Japan calls for all the parties concerned to strictly refrain from resorting to violence. Japan hopes that Egypt will restore political stability and the peaceful daily lives of the people through a transition to a democratic government that is widely supported by the people. Japan attaches importance to the immediate launch of a process for dialogue between the Government of Egypt and the people and the implementation of necessary economic and political reforms.
Japan hopes that Egypt will continue to play a constructive role for peace and prosperity in the Middle East and the North African region.

However, we heard reports yesterday that, as a result of the collisions between anti-government demonstrators and the people who support the president, some people were killed and many injured. We deplore this situation. We once again urge all parties concerned to strictly refrain from violence. As stated in the Foreign Minister's statement we strongly hope that political stability and the peaceful daily lives of the people there will be recovered through a transition in a manner that is widely supported by the people.
These are about Egypt.

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Convening of Myanmar's National Assembly

Mr. Sobashima: On Myanmar, we issued a statement of the Press Secretary on the convening of Myanmar's National Assembly.
Last Monday, 31 January, the National Assembly was convened in Myanmar for the first time in 23 years since 1988 in light of the result of the general elections held in November last year. The Government of Japan will closely observe the future direction of the National Assembly, including its administration, debates to be taken, as well as activities of the pro-democracy movement and ethnic minority parties.
We call on the new government of Myanmar, which will be established through processes such as a Presidential election in the National Assembly, to take positive measures to ensure a more inclusive phase by implementing measures such as the release of political prisoners, advancement of substantive dialogue with relevant parties, as well as the deepening of its relationship with the international community, including Japan.
So this is the statement by the Press Secretary.

Negotiation of the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement

Mr. Sobashima: So these are the main topics, but we have also distributed a press release on the negotiation of the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement. The twelfth round of the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement will be held in Tokyo, next week.

Workshop to Promote the Use of Renewable Energy

Mr. Sobashima: The next is the information on the workshop to promote the use of renewable energy, organized by us, in cooperation with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). This is to take place on 10 February next week.

Global Forum on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Education

Mr. Sobashima: We also distributed the information on the Global Forum on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Education organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the United Nations University in Nagasaki, March. So this is some time later.

Diplomatic Visits

Mr. Sobashima: As for the information on visits, President Karimov of the Republic of Uzbekistan will be coming to Japan from 8-10 February. From Japan, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mr. Matsumoto will be visiting Germany to participate in the Munich Security Conference from 4-7 February. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kikuta will be visiting Fiji and the Solomon Islands from 9-12 February. This is the information on the visits. Now I welcome your questions.

Questions concerning a Possible US-Japan Summit Meeting

Q: There should be a meeting in the first half of this year between Prime Minister Kan and President Obama. President Obama invited Prime Minister Kan to the United States. As far I know you are still trying to arrange this meeting. Are the difficulties more lying in domestic politics or more regarding the Joint Declaration which should be concluded at the end of this meeting?

Mr. Sobashima: You are quite right that on the occasion of the APEC Leaders' Meetings, President Obama invited Prime Minister Kan to visit the United States and they agreed that Prime Minister Kan would visit the United States in the first half of this year, 2011. But the first half is from January to June this year, so the two governments will arrange the timing, and if the dates are fixed there will be an announcement. However, as you know, for the outgoing visits, because the Diet is currently in session, we need the approval of the Diet for the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, among others, to leave Japan. So we need to go through those procedures. The preparatory consultations are of course under way and the discussion on the timing should also proceed. If there is a decision on the timing, we will announce it. But pending the announcement, what we can say is that preparations are underway.

Q: If I may add, can you confirm that there should be a Joint Declaration at the end of this summit meeting?

Mr. Sobashima: Yes it is the intention of both governments that some sort of document, perhaps in the form of a Joint Declaration or Joint Statement, should be produced. This is referred to.

Questions concerning the Diet Approval for Foreign Visits

Q: We often hear that the Prime Minister needs the approval of the Diet during Diet Sessions to leave the country. When has the Diet last stopped the Prime Minister from leaving the country? Which Diet did that, or is this just a formality? I mean this is often given as the reason why the Prime Minister did not stay in Davos for more than six hours and these things. It is always that the Diet has to approve it. But my question is, when did any Diet last disapprove of a trip aboard by either a prime minister or foreign minister in Japan?

Mr. Sobashima: There are cases where, because of the schedule of the Diet, some ministers had to reschedule their visits. In any event, when the Diet requests the presence of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, and because we need to have the draft budget approved and draft laws passed in the Diet, the Prime Minister and other ministers should respond to the request for their presence. What I would like to say now is that because of the importance of the Diet debates, the Prime Minister and other ministers attach importance to attending its meetings.

Question concerning Japan-Russia Relations

Q: Next week Foreign Minister Maehara is going to make a visit to Russia, as you know. About two weeks ago he mentioned that he is going to, during the negotiations in Moscow, somehow make the Russian position on the so-called Northern Territories softer. So could you comment on what the Japanese side means by making the Russian position lighter on this issue? And what kind of steps could Foreign Minister Maehara do and may do to make the position of Russia lighter on this issue? Thank you.

Mr. Sobashima: Thank you very much for your question. First I have to say that although the schedule of the Foreign Minister to visit the Russian Federation is being arranged, as I mentioned, because of the approval of the Diet and other things, we are not in a position to officially confirm the schedule which you mentioned. When the procedure is completed, we will make an announcement. But yes, we are now arranging the schedule of the Foreign Minister's visit to the Russian Federation. This is my first comment to your question. Yes, certainly the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister hope for progress on the territorial issues among other things. I am not in a position to comment on what you mentioned: "making the Russian position softer," but certainly we aim for progress on the territorial issue, among other things. As you recall, Prime Minister Kan met President Medvedev and Foreign Minister Maehara met Foreign Minister Lavrov in Yokohama last November. Then both at the leader's level and the Foreign Minister's level, there was an agreement to discuss various issues between the two countries, including the territorial issues. The two sides agreed to discuss other issues as well: economic issues, cooperation, other issues. Certainly, the Foreign Minister expects to develop the bilateral relationship. And in this regard, we certainly hope for progress on the territorial issues as well, but further than that, please take the Foreign Minister's comments or remarks as they are. I am not in a position to interpret or comment on his remarks, but certainly we hope for progress.

Question concerning Japan-Korea Relations

Q: 22 February is called Takeshima Day in Shimane prefecture. Now for the first time a Japanese government minister [SIC] will be taking part in this Shimane day. Foreign Minister Maehara has just visited the Republic of Korea (ROK) and is trying to build closer relations with South Korea. Does he condone this upgrading of this Shimane day by a visit by a government minister, or is he not rather supposed to stop this government minister to secure the improvement of the relationship with South Korea?

Mr. Sobashima: Excuse me I lost the last part of your question. Would you kindly repeat the last part?

Q: The question is that South Korea will see this as a provocation. You are in the process of getting closer relations with South Korea. Military ties have been mentioned by the Prime Minister. This obviously is an obstacle to closer relations, especially if the government upgrades Shimane's idea that Takeshima is genuine Japanese soil. So does the Foreign Minister condone this taking part of a government minister [SIC] in this Shimane day? Or is he not rather kind of expected to play this thing down.

Mr. Sobashima: First I do not have the relevant information about the event you mentioned. So I am sorry, I am not able to speak on the assumption of what you mentioned in the first part of your question. Having said this, we intend to manage the situation, and certainly, we would like to develop the bilateral relationship between the two countries, the ROK and Japan. Our position on the place you referred to is already known and remains. However, in the overall relationship between the two countries, we would like to seek to maintain and further develop a good relationship between the two countries.

Question concerning the Situation in Egypt

Q: About Egypt, President Obama mentioned a peaceful transition. So what is the position of the Japanese Government on this issue?

Mr. Sobashima: The Japanese Government's position is stated on the first document that we have distributed, particularly in paragraph three. Japan hopes that Egypt will restore political stability and the peaceful daily lives of the people through a transition to a democratic government that is widely supported by the people. Japan attaches importance to the immediate launch of a process for dialogue by the Government of Egypt and the people and the implementation of necessary economic and political reforms. So this is our position.

Questions concerning Remarks Made by Former Prime Minister Hatoyama

Q: Mr. Hatoyama was asked yesterday if he felt strong pressure from the United States concerning Futenma and if this played a role in his resignation. He confirmed that he felt strong pressure, but not only from the United States, but also from within the bureaucracy. This can only be two possible bureaucracies, the Foreign Ministry, or the Ministry of Defense. Do you think there was strong pressure to move Futenma to Henoko from within the bureaucracy of the Foreign Ministry?

Mr. Sobashima: In the Hatoyama government or any other government, the officials' responsibility is to receive the instructions from the political leaders, for us from the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, and report to the leaders. In the course of consultation with the United States, certainly officials report the situation of the consultation and then receive further guidance from the ministers. Again we are not in a position to interpret the comments of the former Prime Minister about whether he felt pressure or not, but certainly the officials' role is to report to the Prime Minister having consulted with the United States, following the instructions from the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister. In this regard, the Government of Japan attaches importance to its alliance with the United States and to the presence of the US forces. The political leader makes his own decision, out of consideration of the importance of the alliance and listening to the reports from officials.

Q: If I understand you correctly, if he felt strong pressure within the Japanese bureaucracy, this pressure originated in the United States because this was the pressure that the United States transmitted to the Japanese bureaucrats. So he was just friendly by saying that part of the pressure came from within Japan was he?

Mr. Sobashima: Again, I would like to refrain from interpreting what the former Prime Minister said. I am just explaining the process of the government and the relationship between the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the officials.

Question concerning the Strategic Dialogue between Japan and China

Q: There is the strategic dialogue between Japan and China going on. There is information on that that it is at a Vice-Ministerial level, as far as I know. Was this request made by the Chinese side or the Japanese side to go on with the dialogues? Since it has stopped since April 2009, as far as I know.

Mr. Sobashima: The Japanese side and the Chinese side agreed to promote the mutually beneficial relationship based on the common strategic interests. In this regard, the leaders of both countries agreed to promote various dialogues and exchanges. As there is agreement of both sides on the promotion of dialogues, in various fields, so I think it is not important on this particular instance, which side proposed first.

Question concerning the Northern Territories

Q: I read a report from Russia that President Medvedev proposed joint economic development on the Northern Territories or the disputed islands and Russia invited South Koreans to join some economic projects on the islands. I understand Japan's position is that because the islands belong to Japan, Japan will not take part in such joint development and I think Japan is against any third country taking part in such projects. In addition to protesting to the Russian authorities, has Japan also made a protest to South Korea in this regard?

Mr. Sobashima: I am afraid I do not have the specific information you asked. However, as you pointed out, we are opposed to any action which is inconsistent with our basic position. Therefore, we have on various occasions explained our position to the Russian side, that the measures which are not consistent with our position are not permissible as far as we are concerned. Therefore that sort of development in the Northern Territories, which is not consistent with our position, we certainly oppose. On various occasions we have already explained this, and we will continue to do so, when necessary.

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