Top > Announcement > Press Conference by the Press Secretary of MOFA > 11 October 2012

Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 11 October 2012

  1. Japan-US-ROK Trilateral Meeting
  2. Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of the Argentine Republic
  3. Visit to Japan by President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Repulic of Zambia
  4. Fukushima Ministerial Conference
  5. Question concerning Fukushima Ministerial Conference
  6. Questions concerning Japan-US-ROK Trilateral Meeting
  7. Questions concerning Japan-ROK relations
  8. Question concerning Japan-China relations
  9. Questions concerning the Senkaku Islands

1. Japan-US-ROK Trilateral Meeting

Deputy Press Secretary Ms. Naoko Saiki: Good afternoon. Let me start today’s conference. Today, I would like to first call your attention to some upcoming events and visits.

Ms. Saiki: First, on a trilateral meeting amongst Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea (ROK). On October 17, the trilateral meeting of Japan, the United States and the ROK will be held in Tokyo. Director General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Shinsuke Sugiyama, will chair the meeting. From the United States, Ambassador Glyn Davies, Special Representative for North Korea Policy, and from the ROK, Mr. Lim Sung-nam, Chief Negotiator to the Six-Party Talks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, will participate. It is expected that on the basis of discussions at the Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ meeting held last month in New York, the three countries will exchange views on the current situation of North Korea and confirm the continued close cooperation amongst themselves.

2. Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of the Argentine Republic

Ms. Saiki: Second, on a visit to Japan by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of the Argentine Republic. Mr. Hector Marcos Timerman, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Argentina will visit Japan as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from October 15 to 17. During his stay, Minister Timerman is scheduled to have a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Koichiro Gemba.

3. Visit to Japan by President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Repulic of Zambia

Ms. Saiki: Third, on a visit to Japan by the President of the Republic of Zambia from October 10 to 15. Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata, President of the Republic of Zambia, and First Lady Dr. Kaseba Sata are paying a working visit to Japan. While in Japan, President Sata and Dr. Kaseba Sata will be received in audience by their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan. President Sata and Dr. Kaseba Sata are scheduled to visit Hokkaido and have an exchange of opinions with members of Hokkaido University. In fact, yesterday President Sata held a meeting with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. The two leaders agreed to further strengthen cooperation between Japan and Zambia, in particular in the field of the economy. They also confirmed that the two countries will continue cooperation and collaboration in order to make the fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) a success, which will be held in June next year in Yokohama.

In relation to this, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Given Lubinda is actually visiting Japan as a member of the Presidential delegation. Yesterday, there was also a Foreign Ministers’ meeting between Minister Given Lubinda and Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba. They discussed TICAD V and bilateral relations.

4. Fukushima Ministerial Conference

Ms. Saiki: Fourth, on the Fukushima Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety. The Conference will be organized by the Government of Japan and co-sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Fukushima from December 15 to 17. The principal objective of this international ministerial conference is to contribute to strengthening nuclear safety worldwide. The Conference will provide another opportunity to share with the international community, at the ministerial and expert levels, knowledge and lessons learned from the accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station; to further enhance transparency; and to discuss the progress of international efforts aimed at strengthening nuclear safety, including through the implementation of the IAEA Action Plan On Nuclear Safety, as well as of measures to protect people and the environment from ionizing radiation.

With these initial announcements, I would be delighted to take your questions.

5. Question concerning Fukushima Ministerial Conference

Q: Can I just ask actually about the last item that you mentioned, the ministerial conference? Do you have any idea who’s on the guest list?

Ms. Saiki: Not yet. But since we have been extending our invitation to Ministers and experts of the countries concerned, we will finalize the list in due course.

6. Questions concerning Japan-US-ROK Trilateral Meeting

Q: I’m wondering about the trilateral meeting between the Japan and the United States, and the ROK. I was wondering, is this an event that is held regularly? Or is this an unusual event?

Ms. Saiki: Not regularly in a strict sense, but from time to time the three countries get together to discuss North Korean issues and other important issues of mutual concern at various levels as appropriate. This time, on Wednesday next week, at the working level, so to speak, the three Directors-General will meet in Tokyo. Let me remind you that in New York last month, there was a Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ meeting attended by Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba from Japan, Mr. Kim Sung-hwan from the ROK and Mrs. Clinton from the United States.

Q: At this particular level, when was the last time they met?

Ms. Saiki: I have to check and will get back to you.

7. Questions concerning Japan-ROK relations

Q: And, of course, there have been some difficulties between the ROK and Japan recently. Are you expecting or hoping that this will mean one step towards improving relations with the ROK?

Ms. Saiki: Thank you for the question. Yes, you are right in pointing out the fact that there is a territorial dispute to be resolved by Japan and the ROK over Takeshima. Our position is consistent and firm that, in light of international law and historical facts, Takeshima is an inherent part of Japan’s territory. Two months ago, Japan proposed to the ROK to refer the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. Very regrettably, the Government of the ROK rejected our proposal. This is not the first time, in fact. This is the third time for the Government of the ROK to reject Japan’s proposal to institute proceedings before the ICJ over Takeshima. That being stated, Japan and the ROK are partners and friends, and the relationship between the two countries is very important, not only for the two countries themselves, but also for the entire region, in particular, on the issue surrounding North Korea. So, we would like to see the bilateral relationship further develop and be strengthened.

Q: You mentioned the idea of taking the issue to the ICJ. There have been some media reports that Japan might take it to the ICJ unilaterally. What is the thinking here?

Ms. Saiki: Yes, we are studying that possibility, amongst all other possible measures and policy options, in order to solve the dispute over Takeshima in accordance with international law by peaceful means.

8. Question concerning Japan-China relations

Q: Can I just turn to the issue of relations with China? When would be the next opportunity for a high level discussion between Japan and China? Is there any event on the horizon where you expect such a meeting to take place?

Ms. Saiki: At present, we do not have a fixed date for a high level talk between the two countries. However, in New York in the margin of the United Nations General Assembly, Foreign Minister Gemba held a Foreign Ministers’ meeting with his counterpart of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Dr. Yang Jiechi, and the two ministers did agree to continue lines of communication and keep close contact with each other. So, I would not be surprised to see a bilateral talk be planned or held, but I don’t know at what level. The important thing is that the two countries have agreed to continue close communication through various channels and at various levels.

9. Questions concerning the Senkaku Islands

Q: I also wanted to ask about an idea that was written about by Kyodo News – I don’t know if you saw the article a couple of days ago – that Japan might change its tactics on the Senkaku issue, and acknowledge the existence of a problem over the territory, or acknowledge Chinese claims. It’s a difficult concept for me to understand. I don’t know if you saw the piece and if you understood what it meant, but it seems to be picked up very widely by the Chinese media. I have seen it in several Chinese newspapers, and I wondered whether there’s any truth to those – whether Japan might change its direction.

Ms. Saiki: Thank you for the question. Yes, I am aware of the report you have just referred to. The point is that the Senkaku Islands are an integral part of the territory of Japan in light of historical facts and based upon international law. Furthermore, the Japanese Government has maintained the valid control over the Senkaku Islands in a peaceful and stable manner for a long period of time. In that respect, we believe that there exists no dispute of territorial sovereignty to be resolved concerning the Senkaku Islands, and this position has not changed at all. Having said so, I would like to reiterate that we do not wish to see this issue relating to the Senkaku Islands adversely affect overall Japan-China relations. That is why we have decided to continue close lines of communication with the PRC and are urging China to respond calmly and not to lose sight of the broader perspective of Japan-China relations.

Q: So there is no truth to Kyodo report?

Ms. Saiki: Naturally, the Government of Japan has been studying and reflecting a variety of policy options and measures, in order to ensure the peaceful and stable maintenance and management of the islands, as well as to further develop the mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests with China. But I do not confirm the content of the report you’ve referred to.

Ms. Saiki: No other questions? Then, this concludes today’s conference.  Thank you for coming.

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