Press Conferences
Press Conference by Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida
Tuesday, October 20, 2015, 10:35 a.m. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
This is a provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only.
Japanese
Japanese
Resolution on the total abolition of nuclear weapons
Fujimura, Chugoku Shimbun: My question concerns the draft resolution on the total abolition of nuclear weapons, which Japan has sought to have adopted for 22 successive years. I understand that today, October 20, is the submission deadline for the United Nations; but to begin with, could you explain what sort of content the draft has become?
Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: In regard to the content, we intend to submit the draft after making coordination based on the Government of Japan's present position. Today, October 20, in New York time, is the deadline for submission to the UN General Assembly First Committee, and so we will submit the draft after coordinating the details up to the last minute. At present, I would like to refrain from revealing any details, but in any event, the submission deadline will arrive soon.
Fujimura, Chugoku Shimbun: That being the case, I will ask again following the submission. I have another question concerning the draft resolution on imposing a legal ban on nuclear weapons being submitted to the UN by Austria and others. How does the Government of Japan intend to respond to that resolution?
Minister Kishida: Countries are undertaking a variety of initiatives. In any event, the submission deadline is October 20 in New York time, and until submissions are made, the wording and other details of countries' draft resolutions will not be finalized. Consequently, I believe it would be difficult for me to comment in some way about those draft resolutions until after the submissions have been made, whatever the case may be. And according to what I have heard, following the submissions, the schedule calls for adoptions to take place from the week of November 2. That being the case, the submissions will be made and carefully scrutinized, and then from the week of November 2 the adoptions will take place. This is the process that will be followed.
I imagine that the Government of Japan's decision will all be finalized just in time for the deadline.
Takeda, Asahi Shimbun: This relates to the present question, but earlier I heard from a correspondent in New York that Austria's draft resolution has been submitted.
This draft resolution from Austria is more or less the same as the Austrian pledge that the Government of Austria asked countries to endorse in February this year, I believe. At that time, the Government of Japan displayed an attitude of neither endorsing nor opposing the pledge, but ultimately, it responded to the effect that it disapproved. Is it possible that the Government of Japan's response will change now that the pledge has become a resolution?
Minister Kishida: Up to now, various information has been circulating about the wording of Austria's draft resolution, including whether or not it is the same as the document that you mention. I, as Minister, have yet to confirm whether it has been submitted or not. Even if it has been submitted, I will have to confirm the content after the submission. At present, I have not confirmed the content, so I would like to refrain from making any comment.
If the draft resolution has been submitted, I want to confirm the wording. Then, the decision that the Government of Japan makes will be made following firm consideration.
Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: In regard to the content, we intend to submit the draft after making coordination based on the Government of Japan's present position. Today, October 20, in New York time, is the deadline for submission to the UN General Assembly First Committee, and so we will submit the draft after coordinating the details up to the last minute. At present, I would like to refrain from revealing any details, but in any event, the submission deadline will arrive soon.
Fujimura, Chugoku Shimbun: That being the case, I will ask again following the submission. I have another question concerning the draft resolution on imposing a legal ban on nuclear weapons being submitted to the UN by Austria and others. How does the Government of Japan intend to respond to that resolution?
Minister Kishida: Countries are undertaking a variety of initiatives. In any event, the submission deadline is October 20 in New York time, and until submissions are made, the wording and other details of countries' draft resolutions will not be finalized. Consequently, I believe it would be difficult for me to comment in some way about those draft resolutions until after the submissions have been made, whatever the case may be. And according to what I have heard, following the submissions, the schedule calls for adoptions to take place from the week of November 2. That being the case, the submissions will be made and carefully scrutinized, and then from the week of November 2 the adoptions will take place. This is the process that will be followed.
I imagine that the Government of Japan's decision will all be finalized just in time for the deadline.
Takeda, Asahi Shimbun: This relates to the present question, but earlier I heard from a correspondent in New York that Austria's draft resolution has been submitted.
This draft resolution from Austria is more or less the same as the Austrian pledge that the Government of Austria asked countries to endorse in February this year, I believe. At that time, the Government of Japan displayed an attitude of neither endorsing nor opposing the pledge, but ultimately, it responded to the effect that it disapproved. Is it possible that the Government of Japan's response will change now that the pledge has become a resolution?
Minister Kishida: Up to now, various information has been circulating about the wording of Austria's draft resolution, including whether or not it is the same as the document that you mention. I, as Minister, have yet to confirm whether it has been submitted or not. Even if it has been submitted, I will have to confirm the content after the submission. At present, I have not confirmed the content, so I would like to refrain from making any comment.
If the draft resolution has been submitted, I want to confirm the wording. Then, the decision that the Government of Japan makes will be made following firm consideration.
Indictment without arrest of the former Sankei Shimbun Seoul bureau chief
Takita, Sankei Shimbun: Yesterday, the prosecutors demanded the former Seoul bureau chief of our company for one and a half years of imprisonment on charges of defamation. According to some experts, he may possibly be sentenced to an actual prison sentence. Could you tell us your opinion on this issue? Additionally, it is reported that the prosecutors stated yesterday that the victim demands severe punishment for Mr. Kato, former bureau chief. Namely, the victim is Ms. Park Geun-hye, President of the Republic of Korea. I have learned that coordination is currently being made on the assumption that a Japan-ROK summit meeting will be held. Since the counterpart of the meeting is President Park Geun-hye, I believe Prime Minister Shinzo Abe should request her to make a wise decision concerning this issue. What do you think?
Minister Kishida: Regarding the issue that you pointed out, we have repeatedly conveyed our concerns over the issue from various perspectives such as the freedom of press, freedom of expression, and Japan-ROK relations, and requested an appropriate response from the ROK side. However, very regrettably, the trial was concluded without improvement of the situation, and the prosecutors demanded such penalty. The Government will continue to request the ROK side to respond appropriately on various occasions and through various levels. In terms of the handling of the issue in the Japan-ROK summit meeting said to be held soon, the meeting is currently under discussion. Coordination for the meeting is being made to be held on the occasion of the Japan-China-ROK trilateral summit meeting. However, everything is still being coordinated, including whether or not the bilateral summit meeting will be held. Since the schedule and other issues are being coordinated, I think we are not at the stage to talk about the content or topics of the meeting specifically. Since that is the current condition of the Japan-ROK summit meeting, I will refrain from making any comment.
Watanabe, NHK: My question is related to the previous one. You stated that the Japanese government has not yet decided whether or not it will hold a Japan-ROK summit meeting, including a Japan-China-ROK trilateral summit meeting. As for you, Minister, do you have any intent to convey your ideas concerning this issue to the ROK side if the summit meeting is held or if you go to Seoul and hold a Japan-ROK foreign ministers' meeting?
Minister Kishida: Regarding the Japan-ROK foreign ministers' meeting, we have not decided whether such a meeting will be held or not. Still, regarding this issue, we must continue to request an appropriate response from the ROK side on various occasions and through various levels. Therefore, I will continue to make efforts to request appropriate response from the ROK side.
Minister Kishida: Regarding the issue that you pointed out, we have repeatedly conveyed our concerns over the issue from various perspectives such as the freedom of press, freedom of expression, and Japan-ROK relations, and requested an appropriate response from the ROK side. However, very regrettably, the trial was concluded without improvement of the situation, and the prosecutors demanded such penalty. The Government will continue to request the ROK side to respond appropriately on various occasions and through various levels. In terms of the handling of the issue in the Japan-ROK summit meeting said to be held soon, the meeting is currently under discussion. Coordination for the meeting is being made to be held on the occasion of the Japan-China-ROK trilateral summit meeting. However, everything is still being coordinated, including whether or not the bilateral summit meeting will be held. Since the schedule and other issues are being coordinated, I think we are not at the stage to talk about the content or topics of the meeting specifically. Since that is the current condition of the Japan-ROK summit meeting, I will refrain from making any comment.
Watanabe, NHK: My question is related to the previous one. You stated that the Japanese government has not yet decided whether or not it will hold a Japan-ROK summit meeting, including a Japan-China-ROK trilateral summit meeting. As for you, Minister, do you have any intent to convey your ideas concerning this issue to the ROK side if the summit meeting is held or if you go to Seoul and hold a Japan-ROK foreign ministers' meeting?
Minister Kishida: Regarding the Japan-ROK foreign ministers' meeting, we have not decided whether such a meeting will be held or not. Still, regarding this issue, we must continue to request an appropriate response from the ROK side on various occasions and through various levels. Therefore, I will continue to make efforts to request appropriate response from the ROK side.
UNESCO’s Memory of the World
Ishii, Jiji Press: It has been reported that regarding the materials concerning the internment in Siberia, which were inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World, the Russian side summoned an official of the Japanese Embassy in Moscow and requested the withdrawal of the application for inscription. Please let us know how the Japanese government will deal with this issue in the future.
Minister Kishida: In terms of the issue you pointed out, we recognize that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation requested the Japanese Embassy in Russia to withdraw the application on October 16. The application was recommended by the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO in view of its global importance from a wide perspective, including the understanding and cooperation from the City of Nakhodka, a sister city to Maizuru City. I understand that some point out that it is a political use of the program, but I believe that assertion is not valid. Moreover, I understand that prior to our application, officials of Maizuru City explained to the Russian side through the Consulate of Russia in Osaka how and to what purposes the application would be made. In response to the request from the Russian side, we have conveyed our basic stance that I have stated and replied that their assertion is not valid. We will continue to seek their understanding.
Minister Kishida: In terms of the issue you pointed out, we recognize that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation requested the Japanese Embassy in Russia to withdraw the application on October 16. The application was recommended by the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO in view of its global importance from a wide perspective, including the understanding and cooperation from the City of Nakhodka, a sister city to Maizuru City. I understand that some point out that it is a political use of the program, but I believe that assertion is not valid. Moreover, I understand that prior to our application, officials of Maizuru City explained to the Russian side through the Consulate of Russia in Osaka how and to what purposes the application would be made. In response to the request from the Russian side, we have conveyed our basic stance that I have stated and replied that their assertion is not valid. We will continue to seek their understanding.
Prime Minister Abe’s visit of a United States nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
Abe, Asahi Shimbun: Prime Minister Abe visited a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier the other day. This is the first time an incumbent Prime Minister has boarded an aircraft carrier in this way. What is your appreciation of this? Also, Prime Minister Abe posed for photographs aboard a seaborne Super Hornet aircraft. It has been pointed out that this could invite misunderstandings from abroad, but what is your view?
Minister Kishida: It is not clear what you meant by saying that misunderstandings might have been invited from abroad; but in any event, the Japan-U.S. relationship forms the axis of Japan's diplomacy as well as its security, I believe. I think it is probably only natural that the relationship of cooperation between Japan and the United States should be firmly ascertained. I imagine it was probably one part of a response aimed at demonstrating that position.
Minister Kishida: It is not clear what you meant by saying that misunderstandings might have been invited from abroad; but in any event, the Japan-U.S. relationship forms the axis of Japan's diplomacy as well as its security, I believe. I think it is probably only natural that the relationship of cooperation between Japan and the United States should be firmly ascertained. I imagine it was probably one part of a response aimed at demonstrating that position.