Press Conferences

Foreign Minister Kishida: I will attend the Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting this evening. On November 2, Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera and I will hold the first “2+2” Meeting in the history of Japan-Russia relations.

At this evening’s meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as the four summit meetings in the past six months show, with the deepening of mutual trust between the two leaders, I will follow up on the agreements reached by the two nations’ leaders and discuss future political dialogue.

Regarding a peace treaty, based on the summit meeting held at the APEC meetings in Bali, future negotiations will be discussed. I hope to also exchange wide-raging opinions on international situation.

Further, the “2+2” Meeting to be held tomorrow will be beneficial to enhance Japan-Russia confidence and will also contribute to regional peace and stability. I hope to candidly discuss security and defense policies, Japan-Russia cooperation, and the situation surrounding international security.

Foreign Minister Kishida: Recognizing the importance of participating in the establishment of an international nuclear damage compensation system, the Japanese Government has decided to conclude a “Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC)” so as to provide an environment that facilitates advancements of foreign companies with knowledge regarding the decommissioning and contaminated water measures of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. I will work to submit the CSC and related bills to the Cabinet at an appropriate time next year. I conveyed this decision at the meeting with U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz on October 31. It was agreed upon that Japan and U.S. will make detailed adjustments on the CSC.

Watanabe, NHK: This is related to your opening remarks. There will be the Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting today. As dialogues between the two countries’ leaders have become more vibrant, what is your determination, especially on negotiations regarding the Northern Territories.

Foreign Minister Kishida: As I mentioned earlier, the significance of the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting lies on the thorough follow-up of the past four summit meetings. In that process, it is natural to come to discuss the issues of the Northern Territories and a peace treaty. Moreover, I hope to discuss and confirm, how and based on what schedule these discussions will be further conducted.

Watanabe, NHK: How about specific schedules of working-level consultations going forward?

Foreign Minister Kishida: That is among the topics I hope to discuss.

Kikuchi, Asahi Shimbun: With respect to the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the “2+2” Meeting, what instructions have you received from Prime Minister Abe, or, what are the Prime Minister’s intentions from your point of view?

Foreign Minister Kishida: As for the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, it is as I have mentioned.

This “2+2” Meeting will be the first in Japan-Russia diplomatic relations. The realization of this “2+2” Meeting itself is extremely significant in enhancing Japan-Russia’s relationship of confidence. I believe, this is also Prime Minister Abe’s firm belief.

Through further reinforcing our fundamental trust and our mutual cooperation, I hope the “2+2” Meeting will contribute to regional peace and stability and hope to make this “2+2” a significant meeting in this way.

Fukuoka, Mainichi Shimbun: What is your view of the influence the holding of the “2+2” Meeting will have on the negotiations regarding the Northern Territories?

Foreign Minister Kishida:> I believe the Northern Territories issue will not be directly raised at the “2+2” Meeting but further development of our fundamental trust is extremely meaningful in advancing various challenges we face. In this sense, I believe there will be some impact in one way or the other.

Watanabe, NHK: Regarding the incident where a car was caught in flames at the China’s Tiananmen Square, what information have you received? Based on that information, what is your view to the current situation where Uyghurs are being apprehended in China?

Foreign Minister Kishida: On that incident, Japan has asked for information provision and China has provided them. According to information provided by China on October 31, the incident was a crime committed by three Uyghurs and five others suspected principal offenders have been detained. We are been explained that the motives were further under investigation.

The entirety of this incident is not yet clear, and the Japanese Government will continue to collect information while paying close attention to the developments of the investigation.