Press Conferences

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: Japan highly commends the fact that in the early morning of March 22, March 21 Geneva time, at the 22nd Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC), a resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, including the Establishment of a Commission of Inquiry was adopted by consensus that was jointly submitted by Japan and the European Union (EU).

Japan strongly hopes that the Commission of Inquiry will be established at an early date and that, through inquiries of the human rights situation in North Korea, the situation will be improved including the early resolution of the abductions issue.

Yamaguchi, TV Tokyo: There have been reports of allegations against the Japanese Consulate-General in Denver that leaks of confidential diplomatic documents and fraudulent accounting practice took place last spring. Will you confirm the facts of the matter and also the status of measures taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

Minister Kishida: Firstly, I am aware of the reports. I have confirmed that there had been an inspection of the Consulate-General in Denver last May. I will refrain from commenting on its contents and details, but based on that inspection, it was found that there had been no serious information leaks or fraudulent accounting etc. Since there have been such reports, I hope to once again confirm that point.

Yamaguchi, TV Tokyo: There have been reports that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Taro Aso will visit China next month, and that arrangements are being made for a meeting with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. Will you confirm the facts and also explain what you expect if these meetings are to be realized?

Minister Kishida: Around this time of year, Japan-China Finance Minister’s Dialogues have been held between the two countries on an annual basis. I have been told that it is our turn to visit China this year. Having said that, I have heard that nothing has been decided at this point whether the dialogue will be held this year and on what kind of schedule it will be conducted. I have seen the reports, but the current status is such.

Sugimoto, Sankei Shimbun: To follow up on the Japanese Consulate-General in Denver issue, as you explained that there were no serious information leaks or fraudulent accounting, it seems possible to publicize these information leaks if it’s a minor case. Is there any intent to disclose what type of information was leaked based on your further review?

Minister Kishida: I will confirm the facts and deal with the issue in an appropriate manner.

Nishikawa, TBS: Is it correct to say that there were non-serious information leaks and fraudulent accounting?

Minister Kishida: I believe there was a general inspection and appropriate measures for this inspection were conducted. I will refrain from commenting on the details but because there were such reports, I hope to confirm the facts.

Yamashita, TV Asahi: In that regard, how will you address for instance punishments with respect to fraudulent accounting?

Minister Kishida: I believe the Ministry dealt with the findings in line with the inspection results. That will be confirmed.