Press Conferences

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Today, Japan’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution was determined by the Global Warming Prevention Headquarters. We are scheduled to submit the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution to the headquarters of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) today.

The COP 21 to be held in Paris, France, at the end of this year is an important meeting, in which a new international framework concerning climate change will be adopted. I recognize that climate change is one of the most important international issues in the latter half of this year toward the COP 21.

The Government of Japan intends to more proactively participate in the international negotiations for a fair and effective framework, in which all countries participate, with the INDC determined today.

Makita, Kyodo Press: My question is regarding the legislation for peace and security which passed the plenary session of the House of Representatives yesterday. I would like to ask what you think about the passage of the legislation. Moreover, it has been pointed out that the people have not fully understood it. What is your opinion on that matter?

Minister Kishida: Concerning the legislation for peace and security, while the basic is to construct a favorable international environment through diplomacy amid conditions where the security environment is becoming severe, the legislation aims to construct seamless responses for the worst possible case.

In addition, in a situation where it is becoming common sense in the international community that no country could defend its peace and security alone, Japan will contribute to the peace and stability of the international community as well, which will eventually lead to the defense of Japan’s peace and security. Based on such considerations, a variety of legislations have been considered.

Thus, we recognize that protection of people’ lives and peace and security is a very important task for politics.

Regarding such legislation, we requested discussions at the House of Representatives for a total of 116 hours. During that period, we tried to provide careful explanation of the legislation. Although the legislation passed the House of Representatives, we will continue to ask for discussions at the House of Councilors for the enactment of the legislation.

Deliberations will soon begin in the House of Councilors, and we will try to provide explanations in a careful, humble, and easily understandable manner, so that many people can understand it.

Muramatsu, Asahi Shimbun: In this regard, the legislation passed the House of Representatives by voting at the Committee meeting, and subsequently by forcible passage solely by the ruling parties. You have stated restrained use of authority and the importance of carefully forming a consensus at the Committee of Foreign Affairs and other occasions. In light of such a stance on politics, what do you think about the voting?

Minister Kishida: In terms of how voting is conducted and how the committee is operated, I recognize such a matter should be deliberated and determined at the Diet, the legislative body. Therefore, I think I should refrain from making any specific comment about that.

I believe that it is important to carefully and humbly continue providing explanations, so that thorough understanding of the public can be obtained through the discussions.

Ueno, Tokyo Shimbun: In this regard, various opinion polls and people gathering around the Diet overwhelmingly oppose the legislation. As a minister, do you recognize that the Government obtained public understanding at present?

Minister Kishida: We requested discussions at the House of Representatives for 116 hours and gave explanations during that period. Discussions at the House of Councilors will start soon. I would like to continue to provide careful explanations, and try to make efforts to obtain thorough understanding of the public through humble and easily understandable explanations.

Sato, Yomiuri Shimbun: I would like to ask a different question. Concerning the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) meeting to be held next year, I learned that Gambia and Kenya, candidates to host the meeting, held discussions yesterday and agreed that the meeting would be held in Kenya. Can you please let us know how final arrangements are being made? In addition, I think the meeting will be held early in spring. Do you have any concerns about the preparation period?

Minister Kishida: There were discussions that an African country would host the next TICAD. I learned that on July 15—July 16 JST—Kenya and Gambia, the candidates for the host of the next TICAD meeting, held discussions and agreed that Kenya would host the TICAD Summit Meeting.

I believe the host country will be formally decided when a consensus is made following discussions among co-organizers of TICAD, including Japan, African Union, the World Bank, and the United Nations Development Programme.

If the host country is determined through such procedures, we will advance preparations for the next meeting in a more specific manner. I will closely observe the discussions for the formal decision.

Nakagawa, Yomiuri Shimbun: The ROK Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that one of the statues stolen from Tsushima would be returned. May I ask what the current situation is with regards to the procedure for its return to Japan?

Minister Kishida: First of all, the position of Japan is that it is natural that the Buddhist statue you referred to is to be returned. With regards to the specific procedure for its return, this is currently being arranged, and I must refrain from touching on the details at the present stage. However, there still remains one more statue. We will continue to request to the Government of the ROK that it be returned to Japan as soon as possible.

Nakagawa, Yomiuri Shimbun: I have one quick question related to it. While an agreement was reached on the World Heritage sites in the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on June 21, if viewed from the position of Japan, in the final phase it might be argued that the ROK responded in a manner extremely lacking in good faith. So even though it has announced that the statue will be returned, there remains some concern about whether it really will be returned, or whether something will happen. May I ask your opinion on this?

Minister Kishida: The return has been officially announced by the ROK side. The procedure for its return is currently being arranged.

There are a variety of issues between Japan and the ROK, and as we are neighboring countries, some of these issues are difficult ones. It is precisely for this reason that we must continuously engage in dialogue with the ROK, aiming for steadfast communication including at the highest level of politics; and aim to communicate firmly with the ROK in order to forge future-oriented, multi-layered relations from a broad perspective.

We shall continue striving to achieve that goal and make this year, which marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the ROK, even more significant.

Makita, Kyodo Press: My question is on a different matter. Various arguments for and against the plans for the new National Stadium for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have emerged. What is your impression of these arguments?

Minister Kishida: I am aware that various discussions are being made on the National Stadium for the 2020 Olympics, such as on the design, the budget, and the construction period, and completion. I also understand that it is a matter of great interest to the Japanese people.

I consider that the Government of Japan will listen to the opinions of the Japanese people and respond appropriately based on them, mainly through Minister Endo or Minister Shimomura.