Press Conferences

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: I am scheduled to visit Bali, Indonesia, to attend the APEC Ministerial Meeting to be held from October 4 to 5. In the Meeting, discussions on a wide range of themes are planned, such as the liberalization of regional trade and investment and sustainable growth. I will contribute to discussions while introducing Japan’s efforts in sustainable growth and enhanced connectivity within the APEC region among others.

During the meeting sessions, I am scheduled to hold the Fifth Ministerial-Level Strategic Dialogue with Indonesia as well as a meeting with WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo, who assumed office in September.

Yamaguchi, TV Tokyo: It has been reported that the Republic of Korea (ROK) President Park Geun-hye mentioned during yesterday’s meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel that due to the leader who is making backward-looking remarks on historical and territorial issues regarding Japan-ROK relations, a trust-based bilateral relationship cannot be established. What is your response to this statement? With the APEC meetings drawing near, what are the prospects for a Japan-ROK summit meeting?

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: I am aware of the media reports on such a statement. Japan has tackled historical and other issues, and has made efforts to explain our position and earn understanding. If it is indeed the case that these efforts have not been properly understood, that would be quite regrettable.

Whatever the situation may be, the ROK is a very important neighbor for Japan and we have an important bilateral relationship which shares fundamental values and interests. We will continue to exert every effort to manage this bilateral relationship from a broad perspective. As for the Japan-ROK summit meeting, nothing has been determined at this point.

Watanabe, Kyodo News: In two days’ time, the Japan-U.S. 2+2 Meeting will be held. One major issue to be discussed will be the right to collective self-defense. Do you believe that the U.S. is expecting Japan to approve the execution of this right?

Minister Kishida: First of all, this 2+2 Meeting will be the first such meeting with the attendance of all four Ministers in Tokyo. In that sense it will be a historical meeting. I will take this opportunity to thoroughly explain the security policies of the Abe administration. Based on this perspective, I will also explain Japan’s stance and make efforts to obtain understanding. However, at this point in time, I would like to refrain from commenting on possible evaluations and responses from the U.S. side.

Watanabe, Kyodo News: How do you regard the expectations on the U.S. side at the moment?

Minister Kishida: I do not believe it would be appropriate to assume the views and expectations on the U.S. side prior to the meeting.

Imoto, TBS: I believe the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ new structure has started yesterday. How do you regard the aim of the Chief Cabinet Secretary and the Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party in this personnel change? In MOFA, how do you plan to work with the new Parliamentary Senior Vice-Ministers and Parliamentary Vice-Ministers?

Minister Kishida: I am not fully aware of the aims of these personnel decisions. However, I believe new members have been selected based on their proven capabilities and to make full use of their capabilities. As for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I am pleased by the prospect of working with new Parliamentary Senior Vice-Ministers and Parliamentary Vice-Ministers who are internationally-minded and have excellent insights in a variety of matters. I will closely communicate with them to ensure that we work in unison on the various diplomatic issues Japan faces.

Watanabe, NHK: On the Japan-ROK relations, the fact that such remarks continue to be made by the ROK side leads us to believe that there are aspects where Japan’s efforts alone will not be enough. How do you view the reasons on the ROK side, along with the backdrop against these sorts of anti-Japanese statements?

Minister Kishida: First of all, In order to advance bilateral relations, I believe we must firstly make efforts on our side but at the same time I believe mutual efforts are important. Although there lie a number of individual and challenging issues, I hope to make joint efforts to promote bilateral relations from a broad perspective.