Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 8 November 2012
- 9th ASEM Summit
- Reelection of US President Barack Obama
- Visit to Japan by Prime Minister of India
- Visit to Japan by pesantren teachers from Indonesia
- Question concerning the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party
- Questions concerning Japan-Taiwan negotiation on fishery rights in the East China Sea
- Questions concerning maritime issues
- Questions concerning Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue
- Questions concerning Japan’s global diplomatic presence
- Questions concerning Xi Jinping
1. 9th ASEM Summit
Deputy Press Secretary Ms. Naoko Saiki: Good afternoon. Let me begin by touching on several topics before taking your questions.
Ms. Saiki: First, on the 9th ASEM Summit. The 9th ASEM Summit was held in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) on 5-6 November, and attended by the heads of state and government of 49 Asian and European countries, and the heads of two international organizations. This time, Bangladesh, Norway, and Switzerland participated in the ASEM Summit for the first time. Under the overarching theme of the 9th ASEM Summit, “Friends for Peace, Partners for Prosperity”, leaders of ASEM partners held a candid and in-depth discussion, exchanged views on important regional and international issues of common interest and concern, reviewed cooperation between Asia and Europe in the three pillars of political, economic and socio-cultural fields, and set out the future direction of ASEM. On the sidelines of the ASEM Summit, the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Yoshihiko Noda, held eight bilateral summit meetings with his counterparts of Lao PDR, the Republic of Poland, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of the Philippines, the European Union, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, and the Kingdom of Denmark respectively.
2. Reelection of US President Barack Obama
Ms. Saiki: Second, on the reelection of Mr. Barack Obama as US President. We welcome it and wholeheartedly congratulate the President on his reelection. President Obama has been taking a stance of placing importance on the Asia-Pacific Region. In fact, back in April this year, during his visit to the United States, Prime Minister Noda held a meeting with President Obama. On that occasion they released the US-Japan Joint Statement, “A Shared Vision for the Future”, in which there are references: that, for instance, the US-Japan Alliance is the cornerstone of peace, security, and stability in the Asia-Pacific region; this partnership has underwritten the dynamic growth and prosperity of the region for 60 years; the US-Japan partnership continues to be defined by our enduring commitment to the maintenance of peace; Japan and the United States pledge to fulfill other roles and responsibilities by utilizing the full range of capabilities to advance regional and global peace, prosperity, and security; our cooperation and dialogue extend to all levels and areas of government and the private sector.
I have just explained to you about some of the contents of the Joint Statement between Japan and the United States, “A Shared Vision for the Future”, which was issued this spring on the occasion of the summit meeting between Prime Minister Noda and President Obama. At any rate, we believe that, in view of the increasingly uncertain security environment in the region, the importance of the Japan-US Alliance has increased. Japan strongly hopes to further enhance and deepen the alliance with the United States.
3. Visit to Japan by Prime Minister of India
Ms. Saiki: Third, on a visit to Japan by the Prime Minister of India. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, and Mrs. Gursharan Kaur, will pay an official visit to Japan on 15-18 November. During their stay in Japan, the Prime Minister and Mrs. Kaur will be received in audience by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan. Prime Minister Noda will hold a meeting with Prime Minister Singh.
4. Visit to Japan by pesantren teachers from Indonesia
Ms. Saiki: Fourth, on a visit to Japan by pesantren (Islamic boarding school) teachers from Indonesia. A group of teachers from Indonesian pesantren is visiting from 6 November to 16 November, as guests of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. The group is scheduled to visit Tokyo, Sendai, Kesennuma, Kobe, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Nara, and to experience a wide range of activities such as a visit to disaster-affected areas of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, classroom visits, disaster management institution visits, exchanges of views with teachers and experts, inter-faith dialogue at Todaiji Temple, a home-stay program, and so on. This invitation of pesantren teachers, who are local opinion leaders throughout Indonesia, aims at enhancing educational exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and Indonesia. It also intends to contribute to raising the quality of education in pesantren, which constitute an essential part in the educational system of Indonesia, and to encouraging the development of moderate Islam communities.
With these initial announcements, I would be happy to take your questions.
5. Question concerning the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party
Q: Does the Japanese Government have any comment on the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China?
Ms. Saiki: We are closely watching and monitoring the progress to be made in the Communist Party’s Congress in the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
6. Questions concerning Japan-Taiwan negotiation on fishery rights in the East China Sea
Q: My next question is when will the Taiwanese Government and the Japanese Government negotiate the fishery rights in the East China Sea?
Ms. Saiki: Thank you for the question. As you know, the relations between Japan and Taiwan are, on a non-governmental basis, working and so-to-speak unofficial ones. However, we have an entity responsible for matters in the field of fishery, for instance. On the part of Japan, the institution I am referring to is kouryuukoukai, the Interchange Association, Japan. We expect that the Interchange Association (Japan) and its counterpart in Taiwan are going to fix the date for a meeting with a view to holding a next round of consultations on fishery.
Q: And the date? When will it be held?
Ms. Saiki: I don’t think a concrete date is fixed for a next round of consultations.
7. Questions concerning maritime issues
Q: About China again, President Hu Jintao said today that they want to become a maritime power. He said that China should enhance its capacity for exploiting maritime resources, resolving resolutely China’s maritime rights and interests. It looks like maybe they are showing a strong interest again in claiming the islands surrounding China, including the Senkaku Islands. Any comments?
Ms. Saiki: I am not aware that President Hu Jintao in the Congress specifically mentioned the islands that you raised a question about. I think all the countries, including the PRC, have rights and responsibilities to protect their respective territorial land and sea and to ensure the safety of their respective people in accordance with international law, which means that it is not surprising to hear the leaders of the PRC speak about their intention to engage in maritime activities for these purposes. But, those activities must be carried out in a peaceful manner, based on international law. So, what I can tell you today is that the rule of law, after all, is the basic principle to be respected by each and every country in the international community.
Q: Is Japan willing to cooperate with countries concerned about China’s recent provocative maritime actions? Are you willing to talk to Asian countries concerned about China’s actions?
Ms. Saiki: Japan has been conducting various consultations and exchanging opinions with relevant countries in the region. Those countries do include the PRC. Japan and the PRC are neighboring countries, and the 2nd and 3rd largest economies in the world. So both Japan and China are equally responsible for the maintenance and enhancement of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, including maritime order. Accordingly China must be a responsible member of the international community. In that respect I think, yes, Japan is going to continue having consultations with countries concerned, in order to keep and enhance the stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Since you touched upon the issue of the Senkaku Islands, let me make it clear that the Senkaku Islands are an inherent and integral part of Japan’s territory, in light of history and based upon international law. So for instance, in the 9th ASEM Summit, in response to a rather provocative statement by the delegation of the PRC, Prime Minister Noda stated that the basic position of the Japanese Government on the Senkaku Islands remains unchanged, namely, historically and in accordance with international law, the islands have belonged to Japan and Japan has maintained the valid and effective control over the islands. We have been urging and encouraging the PRC to respond to the situation in a calm manner, in accordance with international law, so that we are able to avoid a situation where this tension may escalate into a crisis.
8. Questions concerning Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue
Q: I believe that there is going to be a new event of Central Asia plus Japan being held in the next couple of days. My first question about that is that Central Asia plus Japan Dialogues have been held since 2004 I believe, and in the eight years that it’s been going on. What does the Foreign Ministry or the Government of Japan see as being the main accomplishment or fruits of that eight year dialogue?
Ms. Saiki: Thank you for the question. You are right in saying that toward the end of this week we are going to co-organize the Fourth Foreign Ministerial Meeting on the Dialogue between Central Asia and Japan and that we launched this dialogue back in 2004. We have through this dialogue and other occasions been able to enhance the cooperation between Central Asia and Japan. Furthermore we believe that Japan has been playing a role of a catalyst in terms of accelerating and strengthening cooperation and collaboration within the region, as well as between Japan and the countries in Central Asia. The objective of holding the Fourth Foreign Ministers’ Meeting within the framework of the “Japan plus Central Asia” is to further strengthen the relationship and cooperation with those countries in the region.
Q: I have a follow-up question.
Ms. Saiki: Yes, go ahead.
Q: Some analysts, and maybe you’re going to agree or disagree with them, say that the Central Asia plus Japan framework has some connection to Japan-China relations in the sense that Central Asian countries came out of the Soviet Union and they were trying to achieve a real independence among themselves, that there was some fear that they would come under Chinese influence, and that this was sort of the Japanese counterbalance to Chinese influence in the region. I just want to hear what your stance is on the issue of what is China’s relation to Central Asia plus Japan?
Ms. Saiki: This very important dialogue is not aiming at any particular country. But naturally, this dialogue – which is, by the way, going to be held on Saturday this week, 10 November – will have an item on the agenda regarding the regional situation, under which I expect the Ministers getting together will discuss some issues relating to China.
Q: Could you just go one step further? What kinds of issues are likely to be – I mean obviously you’re not the Foreign Minister - but what issues do you expect will be discussed that have some connection with China? In the trade field, diplomacy or security issues – where do you see the main thrust coming?
Ms. Saiki: This dialogue is going to cover a wide range of issues such as economy, natural resources, environment, stabilization of Afghanistan, disaster relief cooperation, and of course trade and investment liberalization, and some others. So I would expect that with respect to China, the ministers are going to discuss these various issues which I have just mentioned.
9. Questions concerning Japan’s global diplomatic presence
Q: I just want to use this opportunity, and it’s not really a very specific issue. But, talking about Japan’s diplomatic presence in the world, to me, to be honest, for instance the foreign media is losing their interest in Japanese diplomacy and some news organizations are leaving Japan. Some of them are shifting their offices and interests to China for instance. I’ve been covering the diplomatic events and conferences, and more and more journalists are losing their interest in Japan’s diplomacy. Do you agree with that? And, if there’s a problem, is it related to the declining Japanese economy or Japanese politics? Or do you think it’s fine and it’s very healthy still?
Ms. Saiki: Thank you for the question. To be frank with you, I do not agree with what you have stated. I think very many countries are interested in Japan’s diplomacy, and I think the presence and image of Japan in the international community is still very high. For instance, a few months ago the BBC World Service issued a survey report indicating that Japan is ranked as the number one country that most positively affects the international environment. That is one of the many indications. I suppose Japan has been behaving in a calm manner without causing big noises, and we always keep a very good, broad perspective. So sometimes you may feel that Japan is taken for granted, in a sense, but I do not believe that it means that Japan’s diplomacy is being ignored or the presence of Japan in the international community has become lessened. I really don’t think so. The role to be played by Japan in the international community in addressing various challenges including global issues such as the global warming or climate change, human rights, the rule of law, maritime order and safety, the stabilization of Afghanistan, which I touched upon in the context of the dialogue between Japan and Central Asia, and many more issues, is huge. We are resolute to continuously make positive contributions toward a more stable and peaceful world.
Q: Just very quickly, as a Japanese, I am concerned about that. In the last ASEM meeting, China was really using its diplomatic power. I haven’t seen it, but they are really trying to convince other countries and they probably want them to listen to what they are saying. And Japan is using, I understand that is really calm and, how do I say, not provocative ways of negotiating or talking to other countries. But do you think Japan will continue to do so although other countries like China are stepping up their efforts to have other countries in their field?
Ms. Saiki: Thank you for the question. First of all, I do not believe that the PRC has succeeded in convincing the participating countries in the 9th ASEM Summit in Lao PDR this week. Second, I think, of course depending on the circumstances, policy and measures to be decided and taken by the Japanese Government in the field of external affairs and diplomacy change. However, the most important thing is that we have to comply with our international obligations starting with the United Nations Charter, for instance. No countries are allowed to use force or threats thereof, and every country is bound to resolve disputes in a peaceful manner through dialogue. These are just some of the principles stipulated in the United Nations Charter. I believe that Japan is continuing to discharge its duties as a responsible member in the international community.
10. Questions concerning Xi Jinping
Q: Does the Japanese Government have any idea about the new leader of China, Xi Jinping?
Ms. Saiki: I decline to make comments on that.
Q: Do you think relations between China and Japan will get better after Xi Jinping getting the leadership?
Ms. Saiki: With the next leadership, as well as the current leadership of the PRC, given the fact that the bilateral relationship between Japan and China is one of the most important relationships for both Japan and China as well as for the entire world, Japan wishes to enhance the so-called mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.
No other questions? I see none. This concludes today’s conference. Thank you for coming.
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