Press Conferences

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: On this occasion, I have been appointed once again to the post of Minister for Foreign Affairs of the third Abe Cabinet. I am looking forward to continuing to serve in this post. In my capacity as Foreign Minister over the past two years, I visited a total of 46 countries and regions to build up trust with each of these countries. As Foreign Minister, I am committed to making further robust progress with a "diplomacy that takes a panoramic perspective of the world map," according to Japan's policy of "Proactive Contribution to Peace" based on the principle of international cooperation.

 

Following on the last two years, I will continue to focus on the three pillars of Japan's foreign policy. The first is strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance and further advancing Japan-U.S. cooperation, including the revision of the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation. The second is deepening Japan's relations with neighboring countries. The third is conducting economic diplomacy as a means to promote the revitalization of the Japanese economy.

 

In this process, I will continue to make further progress and stride with the three priorities I described during my press conference in September following my reappointment. The first priority I gave was strengthening communication with neighboring countries. Relations between Japan and China have finally begun to take steps forward, and I will work to rebuild a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests. I will also work to strengthen Japan-ROK relations.      

 

Furthermore, I will advance Japan-Russia relations in a way that serves Japan's national interest. We will also strengthen cooperation with ASEAN, Australia, and India.

 

With regard to North Korea, I will make every effort to resolve the outstanding issues, including the abduction issue.

 

The second priority that I raised was contributing to global issues. Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN), and the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings.

 

In addition, next year will see the creation of a new framework on climate change as well as the convening of World Conference on Disaster Reduction.

 

From the viewpoint of "Proactive Contributor to Peace," Japan will continue to help tackle global challenges, such as climate change, UN Security Council reform, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, disaster reduction, and women's empowerment. 

 

Thirdly, I mentioned strengthening Japan's strategic public relations and communication to the world. Japan has consistently contributed to peace and prosperity in the world as a peace-loving nation since the end of WWII. Japan will continue to follow the path of a peace-loving nation.

 

Japan attaches importance to the rule of law, democracy, and basic human rights. Japan has given rise to innovations and cultivated culture. In order for people around the world to acquire real images of Japan and discover its diverse appeals, I will work to strengthen external communications and outreach, including the establishment of Japan House. 

 

In order to steadily implement these three measures, I will strive to dramatically strengthen Japan's foreign policy administrative structures through the budget, organization, and staff request.

 

The diplomatic achievements made over the last two years were the outcomes of the whole-of-Japan approach that was taken and the trust I have built up step by step with the foreign ministers of countries around the world. I will continue to promote foreign policy by sharing the aims and cherishing the ties both domestically and internationally. 

Makita, Kyodo Press: As you stated in your opening remarks, next year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII. In this context, it is anticipated that China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) will increasingly keep Japan in check over the history issue.

 

In the statement that the Prime Minister Abe will release next year or in other documents, what kind of recognition of history will Japan put forward? Or what sort of a message will the Ministry of Foreign Affairs send out in the lead up to the 70th anniversary? How will you reflect your "color"? If you have any thoughts, could you please share them with us?

 

Minister Kishida: First, with regard to the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII, on the occasion of this milestone year, we would like to renew Japan's resolve as a peace-loving nation, while bearing in mind our remorse over the war and the course Japan took in the postwar years, and contribute to peace and prosperity in the world through our "Proactive Contributor to Peace" based on the principle of international cooperation.  

 

With regard to your question on the recognition of history, as I have stated repeatedly, the Abe Cabinet continues to uphold in its entirety the positions of previous Cabinets. There is absolutely no change to this stance. 

 

I would like to face the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII with the approaches and efforts that I just outlined, and we will strive to gain a good understanding from the international community on such approaches and efforts.  

 

Suzuki, Mainichi Shimbun: My question concerns this topic of releasing a message on the occasion of the 70th anniversary. When do you consider it as an appropriate time and place for releasing this message? I imagine that there are various international meetings and bilateral meetings coming up. If you have ideas on what is the best way to go about this, can you please explain?

 

Minister Kishida: Japan's basic view is as I stated moments ago. I believe we need to seize every opportunity to communicate our approaches and efforts.

 

There are a variety of diplomatic events scheduled to take place from early next year. I anticipate that the Prime Minister will also have various press conference opportunities. We need to make full use of these opportunities to fully appeal Japan's approaches and efforts to the international community.

 

Regarding your question on which opportunity should be utilized to release the message, my answer is that we will make use of every opportunity to fully communicate Japan's approaches and efforts throughout the year. 

Kurihara, NHK: Foreign Minister, when you spoke earlier about further pursuing the three priorities in addition to the three pillars of foreign policy, you said that you would work to further deepen communication with neighboring countries, including China. While we are finally beginning to see dialogues taking place, the Japan-China-ROK foreign ministers' meeting being arranged under the ROK's leadership is still up in the air. It is unclear still how exactly the countries will move further along in this regard. 

 

Do you have any concrete steps in mind on how to further promote communication with neighboring countries? What is the timeline you have in mind?  

 

Minister Kishida: Firstly, in terms of the relationship with China, I think that the Japan-China foreign ministers' meeting and the Japan-China summit meeting held in Beijing became the first step for the two countries to get back to the starting point of the mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests and to improve relations. On the basis of the meetings, we would like to accumulate dialogues and cooperation on various levels and fields in the future to develop Japan-China relations from a broad perspective.

 

In that process, I think the earliest possible commencement of the implementation of a maritime communication mechanism between the defense authorities of the two countries is necessary. We will enhance our efforts to work with the Chinese side on this issue. Concerning the maritime communication mechanism, we are communicating with the Chinese side based on the dialogues of the Japan-China summit meeting. Therefore, although a specific date has not been set yet, we will continue to make coordination.

 

Regarding the relationship with the ROK, difficult issues exist but that is the very reason why it is important to have dialogues at higher levels. I believe it is important to advance the relationship through close communication at various levels, including the foreign minister-level.

 

In terms of the Japan-China-ROK foreign ministers' meeting, Japan has been emphasizing the importance of the meeting in order to advance the trilateral relations in a future-oriented manner. I think it is important to continue with efforts for the realization of the meeting, centering on the ROK, the chair country of the Japan-China- ROK foreign ministers' meeting. Then, I also think that we will make efforts to welcome the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the ROK next year in a good atmosphere.

 

Anyway, although a specific date has not been decided yet at this point in time, we have stated that the door for dialogue is always open, and we will make efforts for the realization of such high-level dialogue.

Fujimura, Chugoku Shimbun: As a minister from a city which has suffered an atomic bombing, you have devoted your energy toward nuclear disarmament and the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, a conference held once every five years, will be held next April.

 

However, there is speculation that judging from the current global situations, it would be difficult to put together a consensus document at the meeting. Could you give us your thoughts on the meeting?

 

Minister Kishida: First of all, Japan must work on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation from a standpoint of the only country that has suffered atomic bombings. That is a matter of course and as the foreign minister from a city which has suffered an atomic bombing, I strongly believe that I must work on this issue hard.

 

The NPT Review Conference, held once every five years, is scheduled for next year. The Government of Japan has continued its realistic and practical efforts chiefly in the framework of the NPDI. The 8th NPDI Ministerial Meeting this year was held in Hiroshima, Japan, for the first time and I think we need to clearly exhibit the Hiroshima Declaration released in this meeting to other countries to obtain their understanding and achieve results at the next NPT Review Conference. That's how I think.

 

Various issues still exist but we will mark the 70th anniversary of atomic bombings next year. I will devote all my efforts to this issue so that Japan can contribute to the NPT review conference to be held in such a year. 

 

Chugoku Shimbun, Fujimura: Allow me to add another question. Do you intend to attend the review conference?

 

Minister Kishida: I have not confirmed a specific date yet. The schedule of various meetings as well as the schedule of the Diet should be taken into consideration. Therefore, I will make my decision after confirming them.

Miyagi, Okinawa Times: Governor Takeshi Onaga of Okinawa Prefecture will come to Tokyo tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. He was elected with the position of opposing the relocation of Futenma Air Station to Henoko. Do you have any intention to meet him if he asks to as Minister? Also, as the Liberal Democratic Party members of the House of Representatives were all lost in the elections in the Okinawa districts and it is reported that public opinion in Okinawa is repeatedly shown, in this context can I ask again how you will progress this matter?

 

Minister Kishida: First, regarding the visit of Governor Onaga to Tokyo, I myself am not aware of whether there has been a request to meet with me directly. Generally, I think it would happen after the schedule arrangements are discussed at the working level.

 

Second, with regards to removing the danger posed by Futenma Air Station, I believe we must achieve it as soon as possible and I think that the citizens of Okinawa Prefecture share this belief with the Government. The Government considers that the relocation to Henoko is the only course of action available in order to remove the danger posed by Futenma Air Station. But I believe we must continue carefully with this task while clearly explaining to the citizens of Okinawa Prefecture. I think that such an approach is important. At the current time, that is all I have to say on this matter. 

Matsumoto, Jiji Press: I would like to ask about Japan-North Korea relations. I understand that the first report on the re-investigation of the abductions issue will be significantly postponed compared to the time it was initially scheduled to be released. What are the causes of this state of deadlock and how do you analyze the situation?

 

Also, within the Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea, for example there are some who are calling for the sanctions that have been lifted to be put back in place in order to achieve a breakthrough in this situation. Can I ask your opinion to such calls and what kind of policy do you think can achieve a breakthrough in this deadlocked situation?

 

Minister Kishida: With regards to the investigations by the special investigation committee, we recently dispatched a delegation to Pyongyang and it firmly expressed the position and views of Japan. 

 

Japan has strongly demanded North Korea to carry out the investigation rapidly and report the findings promptly and accurately. This is the policy we are taking, while subsequently we are communicating with North Korea via the Embassy route. We will continue to firmly communicate Japan's position and views to North Korea that I have just described. So I think the current situation is that while continuing to communicate our thoughts to North Korea, we are urging it to report the findings of the special investigation committee as soon as possible.