Press Conferences

Foreign Minister Kishida: At 1:20am on November 5 (11:20am on the 4th in New York time), the draft resolution on nuclear disarmament, that Japan submitted, was adopted.

This resolutionwas adopted with an overwhelming majority of approvals, numbering 164.While Japan has submitted similar resolutions since 1994, this is the first time that the number of co-sponsor states has exceeded 100. The resolution will be put to a vote at the United Nations General Assembly in early December.

The resolution includes the steady implementation of the Action Plan agreed upon at the Review Conference for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in May 2010, reference to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that would result from the use of nuclear weapons, strong condemnation toNorth Korea’s nuclear test conducted in February as well as other matters. Japan believes they will contribute to further boosting international momentum toward achieving “a world free of nuclear weapons.”

Japan will continue to play a leading role in efforts by the international community to realize “a world free of nuclear weapons” through this and other initiatives.

Foreign Minister Kishida: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will visit Japan from December 2nd to 4th. During his visit, U.S. Vice President Biden is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Abe, and exchange opinions with the related parties on the Japanese side about Japan-U.S. relations and the situation in the Asia Pacific region and so on.

Nakamura, Nippon Television: Senior Officials’ Meeting between Japan, China and the ROK will be held in Seoul this week. The current chair is ROK. What do you think how possible a summit meeting is to hold when the end of the year is coming in less than two months?

Foreign Minister Kishida: Nothing has been decided on a summit meeting.

Nakamura, Nippon Television: ROK President Park Geun-hye has expressed to foreign media that it would be better not to have a summit meeting unless Japan change its perceptions of history, which seems to meanespecially “comfort women”. What are your views?

Foreign Minister Kishida: I am aware of the report. We have been explaining Japan’s stance and views on the “comfort women” issue in various manners. It is deeply regrettable to hear of such a concern at this point in spite of the fact that e Japan has continued to explain our position and efforts respectfully.
I will continue to give explanations thoroughly.

Nakamura, Nippon Television: The stance of the Japanese Government on the “comfort women” issue is to follow its past Governments. Do you have the recognition that this includes the Kono Statement?

Foreign Minister Kishida: The stance of the Abe Cabinet is to follow all the positions of Governments of Japan in the past.

Nakamura, Nippon Television: The Director-General in charge of the Six-Party Talks is visiting the U.S. for a meeting among Japan- U.S.-ROK. Reportedly, the Chinese side is also actively working to resume the Six-Party Talks. What is the Japanese Government’s stance on the Six-Party Talks?

Foreign Minister Kishida: What is scheduled on November 6this the Japan-U.S.-ROK Chief Representatives conference. I think that Japan must press North Korea to implement in good faith the past UN resolutions and the decisions at the Six-Party talks.

I believe that the Six-Party Talks constitute an effective framework, but for North Korea to show an earnest attitude toward denuclearization is of utmost importance.

Nakamura, Nippon Television: In the current situation, do you think that North Korea is taking concrete actions, or showing an earnest attitude?

Foreign Minister Kishida: Looking at the current situation, we believe an earnest attitude is necessary.

Nakamura, Nippon Television: Does that mean that you have the recognition that North Korea’s current attitude is otherwise?

Foreign Minister Kishida: I believe that North Korea does need to show concrete and earnest attitudes.

Mizuuchi, Sankei Shimbun: Regarding the wiretapping by the U.S., another case targeting Japan was reported after the issue had been raised. I would like to confirm the fact and ask what the preventative security measures of the Japanese side are in a fundamental way.

Foreign Minister Kishida: I am aware of the report. I will refrain from making any comments based on it, but I would like to say that Japan and the U.S. have communicated with each other and will continue our communications. We will closely communicate with each other also on this matter as we needto understand the actual situation. Along with finding that out, we face a big challenge, as you pointed out, to make relentless efforts regarding information security.

In light of the current situation, such as a variety of technological developments, Japan will address necessary measures on information security. I will refrain from commenting specific activities due to the nature of this matter.

Watanabe, NHK: In relation to wiretapping, how do you see its relevance to the Special Intelligence Protection Bill under discussion? I understand that our Government is drawing a line between information being wiretapped and information not revealed by the Government– this is just how the Government is dealing with the situation

Foreign Minister Kishida: The thorough implementation of the management and security of information will above all lead to higher trust to Japan in the world. This also will contribute to increase the amount and quality of information as we share it with various countries.