Press Conferences

Minister Kishida: If circumstances allow, I will travel to New York from the 21st to attend UN General Assembly-related meetings.
I intend to convey the Government of Japan’s determination to share wisdom and make efforts to contribute to addressing global challenges, such as climate change, the fight against terrorism and the Security Council reform. Arrangements are underway for bilateral meetings with various countries’ foreign ministers in New York.
Additionally, I intend to take advantage of the opportunity of the UN General Assembly to widely disseminate the outcomes of the World Assembly for Women in Tokyo (WAW! Tokyo 2014), which was held last week from September 12 to 14.

Kubota, TBS: You will attend the UN General Assembly at a time when autumn is gradually deepening. Could you explain the current situation regarding the timing of the report from North Korea?

Minister Kishida: At present, nothing has been decided yet regarding the timing, method or format, or others, of the special investigation committee’s report from North Korea. Currently we are trying to communicate with the North Korean side via the embassy route, and the Government of Japan intends to continue to carefully examine the state of progress with this investigation.

Kubota, TBS: What about the prospect of contact at the UN General Assembly, or a possible foreign ministers’ meeting?

Minister Kishida: At present, nothing has been decided.

Kubota, TBS: I would like to ask about the relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea. The backlash over the comfort women issue is growing stronger, partly because some footage showing the circumstances of the hearings was circulated. At the same time, in some ways a conciliatory mood is also emerging, such as ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se’s participation in a cultural event. What are your views?

Minister Kishida: Minister Yun Byung-se attended the Nikkan Koryu Omatsuri (Japan – Korea exchange festival), which I remember was held on September 14, and I heard that a meaningful exchange of views took place between the minister and the Japanese Ambassador, Koro Bessho. I welcome this development.
Japan and the ROK have challenging issues, but I hope that a future-oriented Japan-ROK relationship can be cultivated through repeated exchanges in a variety of fields, such as cultural exchange.

Kubota, TBS: The International Whaling Commission (IWC)’s general meeting has begun. How do you intend to explain Japan’s position, and how do you intend to seek understanding, given that there are people who are emotionally opposed to whaling?

Minister Kishida: The Government of Japan will undertake research in order to gather information essential to whale resources management, based on international laws and scientific grounds. That is our basic policy, and we intend to engage with the issue based on this basic policy.
Thus far the Government of Japan has made an ongoing effort to explain this policy, and at this IWC general meeting also, we intend to make further effort to explain our policy and to gain understanding.

Ichinose, Kyodo Press: This is about the issue of Iraq. An international conference about Iraq has been convened in Paris. At the meeting, participants discussed how to respond to the situation in Iraq. My first question is: what are your thoughts as Minister on how to deal with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)? My second question is: with President Barack Obama forming a coalition and engaging in military support in Iraq, is Japan thinking of taking part in any kind of military support?

Minister Kishida: The International Conference on Peace and Security in Iraq was held on September 15, hosted by the Government of France. I have heard that 24 countries and three international organizations took part in this conference. Japanese Ambassador to Iraq, Kazuya Nashida, attended the meeting from Japan. I have received reports that discussions at the Conference included the stabilization of Iraq, cutting off ISIL’s funding sources and engaging in further humanitarian initiatives, as well as support for the Iraqi Government’s fight against terrorism.
I would like to appreciate the confirmation by the international community to unitedly respond to ISIL and to implement measures against it.
Also, while there has been a talk of the formation of a coalition against ISIL as suggested from the US and other countries, it is my understanding that every means of response including military support was discussed at the meeting.
I have received reports that discussions have been held on a wide range of issues, including the need for humanitarian assistance to respond to the issue of internally displaced persons in Iraq. To date, Japan has already been providing support in various ways, including support for displaced persons in Syria and Iraq, as well as support to the surrounding countries including Jordan.
We intend to continue this kind of support and cooperation within the scope that is possible for Japan.