Press Conferences

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: I would like to make some opening remarks concerning my attendance at the UN General Assembly. I will travel to New York from September 23 to attend UN General Assembly related meetings. I will convey my determination to come up with wisdom and contribute to such global agenda as disarmament, non-proliferation, post-MDGs, Security Council reform, women and human rights, and counter-terrorism.

Currently, I am scheduled to conduct bilateral meetings with the UK, France, Germany, Australia, Iran and Egypt amongst others. I will be having discussions with the foreign ministers of respective countries concerning the situation in Syria, which is the current important agenda for the international community. I would like to seek understanding of Japan’s position on the regional situation as well as global agenda.

Kikuchi, Asahi Shimbun: As you have mentioned bilateral meetings, you referred to six countries. Those include European countries and two Middle Eastern countries. What are the objectives?

Minister Kishida: As I mentioned earlier, we will have discussion concerning the situation in Syria, which is indeed a major discussion item. With respective countries, we would like to actively exchange our views on the bilateral relationship as well as the situation surrounding their respective regions. So we would like to have meaningful Foreign Ministers’ meetings with respective countries.

Fujimura, Chugoku Shimbun: Ms. Caroline Kennedy has been nominated as the next U.S. Ambassador to Japan. In the hearing that was conducted in the U.S. Senate yesterday, she said, “I can think of no country in which I would rather serve than Japan. I first visited in 1978 with my Uncle, Senator Kennedy, and was deeply affected by our visit to Hiroshima.” What is your view on this?

Minister Kishida: First of all, Japan and the U.S. share the ultimate goal of realizing a World without Nuclear Weapons. I am here from Hiroshima myself, and therefore, my hope for a World without Nuclear Weapons is the starting point of my political career. From such a point of view, I take it as a very meaningful, deep comment that the incoming ambassador, Ms. Kennedy, has visited Hiroshima in the past, and that she was deeply moved by the experience. Toward a World without Nuclear Weapons, we would like to share the viewpoint and work together. That is my hope.

Fujimura, Chugoku Shimbun: As she will be coming next month and onwards, once again, in order for her to learn about the reality of atomic bombing, would you like her to visit the Hiroshima and Nagasaki sites,?

Minister Kishida: If Ms. Kennedy visits Hiroshima and Nagasaki and learns about the devastation of atomic bombing after she assumes her duty as U.S. Ambassador to Japan, that would be quite meaningful.

Watanabe, NHK: Going back to the previous question, there are various issues in terms of Japan-U.S. relations including the relocation of Futenma Air Station. While Ambassador-designate Kennedy has shown understanding toward Japan, what kind of role would you expect her to play in terms of Japan-U.S. relations?

Minister Kishida: I need not to tell you that Japan-U.S. relations and the alliance that we have are the cornerstone of our diplomacy. Going forward, the strategic environment in the Asia Pacific region is difficult, but that is why the Japan-U.S. Alliance is all the more important. As the strategic environment changes, our Japan-U.S. Alliance must be polished constantly. That I think is the challenge. Therefore, I hope that Ambassador-designate Kennedy will play a big role in promoting the Japan-U.S. Alliance.

Saito, Kyodo News: This is related to the UN General Assembly. At the General Assembly, do you plan to raise the issue of the DPRK, especially with regard to the nuclear issue? Do you intend to raise the issue of the seriousness of the DPRK nuclear development and the importance of dealing with the issue at the coming U.S. General Assembly? Do you intend to make the issue a main topic?

Minister Kishida: In the meetings I have had with the foreign ministers of respective countries, we have exchanged our views on the regional situation. In doing so, I have made a strong point of the DPRK as part of the regional situation in East Asia. So, this is indeed a great point of interest for Japan and requires elaborate explanation. I would like to provide an explanation in order to obtain the understanding of the international community.

Saito, Kyodo News: A further question, how would Japan try to bring the nuclear and missile issues of the DPRK to an ultimate solution? How will Japan explain its stance to the international community?

Minister Kishida: As I always say, based on our continued policy of dialogue and pressure, we will address the nuclear, missile and abductions issues in an effort to earn a comprehensive resolution in close coordination with relevant countries. This policy has not changed at all from the past. We have explained this policy and gained understanding. In a place like the UN General Assembly where foreign ministers of different countries gather together, we have to explain our position carefully in order to garner understanding. We will continue our efforts.

Kageyama, Mainichi: As for the bilateral meetings at the UN General Assembly, what about the outlook for meetings with neighboring China and the ROK? Would you yourself like to have bilateral meetings?

Foreign Minister Kishida: At this point in time, no decision has been made on bilateral meetings with China or the ROK. As I have explained previously, Japan attaches high importance to dialogue and close communications.

Hiroshima, Asahi Shimbun: Next week, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the International Seminar on the Capacity Building of Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies in Emerging Countries will be held, in which the importance of realizing an open and stable sea environment and other issues will be discussed. Does the objective of the seminar include the relationship vis-à-vis China?

Foreign Minister Kishida: Regarding the contents of the seminar, no sufficient information has arrived to me. In any case, Japan has emphasized the importance of maritime affairs and the rule of law. At the same time, placing a specific country in mind to conduct a discussion is not, I think, the objective of the seminar. I have to check again.