Press Conferences

Inomoto, TBS: The G8 Summit has begun. We have seen individual summit meetings and the G8 Summit itself kicked off, and while the state of affairs at the Summit is developing, I would like to know what your take is on the G8 Summit based on the information you have obtained so far and what you think about the absence of a Japan-U.S. summit meeting.

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: The G8 Summit began with a session on the global economy. In this session, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe explained Japan's economic policies and initiatives. I have received reports that our policy measures for economic growth were welcomed by various countries. I think that the G8 Summit has gotten off to a flying start.

In regard to the Japan-U.S. summit meeting, first of all, let me mention the telephone talk last week on June 13. Both leaders exchanged views and had close communication. As for a potential Japan-U.S. summit meeting during the G8 Summit, they have not confirmed a seated meeting because the leaders both have extremely tight schedules. But I think that there will be many opportunities for the leaders to meet and have good communication. We hope to keep in close contact between us.

Inomoto, TBS: Do you think, after all, that it is more desirable to have a Japan-U.S. summit meeting than not?

Minister Kishida: Japan and the U.S. have had good communication and they will continue to do so in various forms.

Inomoto, TBS: Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau is set to fly out today for a Japan-U.S.-ROK trilateral working-level meeting. I would like to ask you about your expectations toward this Director-General-level meeting. In addition, with the ASEAN Regional Forum coming around soon, I would like to ask your opinion on what you think the desirable forms of Japan-China, Japan-ROK, and Japan-U.S.-ROK relations are.

Minister Kishida: First, Mr. Shinsuke Sugiyama, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau will start his trip on June 18 and attend the Japan-U.S.-ROK working-level meeting on June 19. I want him to have discussions with American officials as well. For Japan, too, it is important to cooperate between Japan-U.S.-ROK. I would like to use that opportunity to thoroughly confirm our collaboration between Japan, U.S. and ROK. While confirming such collaboration, we will make efforts toward further communication between relevant countries, such as Japan, U.S. and ROK, and further, Japan and ROK.

Watanabe, Hokkaido Shimbun: In the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that has just taken place, it was reportedly agreed that Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov would visit Japan this fall. I would like to ask how you view that.

Minister Kishida: I am aware of the schedule; after the aforesaid economy session, there will be a dinner. And after the dinner, there will be a Japan-Russia summit meeting. But I am afraid I have not been informed of the content of the summit meeting. Let me check and answer your question later.