Press Conferences

Yamazaki, Fuji TV: Yesterday it was said that US President Barack Obama will visit Asia in April. Is it reasonable to assume that Japan is included in this Asia visit?

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: I am aware of media reports of US official’s such remark. With regard to President Obama’s visit to Japan, the Government of Japan has extended an invitation to visit Japan. However, I understand that nothing has been set in terms of the schedule, and that the matter is still under coordination.

Watanabe, Kyodo Press: I would like to ask about Japan-China relations. Hiromasa Yonekura, Chairman of Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), and other members of the business community are visiting China, and have held a meeting with Wang Yang, Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China, who is said to be proactive in improving relations with Japan. In addition, there have also been reports that Hu Chunhua, Party Committee Secretary of Guangdong Province, who is said to be a potential next-generation Chinese leader, met with Takashi Kawamura, Chairman of the Board of Hitachi, Ltd. and others. How do you view this series of responses by the Chinese side?

Minister Kishida: Firstly, I recognize that conducting Japan -China exchanges at various levels is extremely important. I view that the accumulation of dialogue, as you just pointed out, is very meaningful. While mutual understanding develops at various levels, based on a broad perspective, the Government of Japan by all means hopes that the Japan-China relationship advances steadily, as one of the most important bilateral relationships for Japan.

Watanabe, Kyodo Press: I would like to ask how you view the current state of Japan-China economic relations. Also, is the Cabinet considering working on invigorating Japan-China economic relations going forward?

Minister Kishida: Various exchanges are taking place at the economic level and economic relations are advancing, which I believe is undoubtedly very favorable for both countries. I also believe this will have a positive impact on the prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region. I welcome the fact that these economic exchanges are advancing and will continue to progress.

Kikuchi, Asahi Shimbun: Minister of Defense Itsunori Onodera met with Ambassador of China to Japan Cheng Yonghua. Have you also met and talked with Ambassador Cheng? Also, in this context, do you have expectations that Japan-China relations will advance in the future?

Minister Kishida: I am told that Ambassador Cheng and Defense Minister Onodera met. As for the question of whether I will meet Ambassador Cheng, I recall we have already met a number of times at receptions and meetings. Regardless, the Japan-China relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships for Japan. I believe Japan-China relations should by all means be advanced and I recognize that dialogue at a high political level is vital. We have consistently said that Japan’s door for dialogue is always open. I by all means hope for responses from the Chinese side also.

Watanabe, NHK: Regarding the Specified State Secrets Protection Bill, which is currently under deliberation in the Diet, public opinion is growing regarding this matter such as fairly large opposition rallies which was held yesterday. As a number of objections are being voiced, will the Diet still move to pass this bill? What are your thoughts on this matter? Will the bill be carefully discussed, or is the current focus on passing this bill at the current session?

Minister Kishida: There are a variety of opinions regarding this bill. Various discussions are taking place concerning the bill, and the Diet is currently engaging in deliberations. I am also aware that modifications to the bill are being negotiated to obtain approval from as many political parties as possible. I believe it to be favorable that a variety of discussions are conducted so as to further improve the bill. My position as Foreign Minister is that because I am asking for deliberations as a member of the Government, I intend to pay close attention to any related developments.

Yamaguchi, TV Tokyo: My question is related to the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. Catherine Fisher of Australia, who was sexually assaulted by a serviceman of the US military in Yokosuka 12 years ago, held a press conference yesterday. Recently a civil trial took place in the U.S. and Ms. Fisher won the case. In the testimony during the trial, it was said that during the civil trial in Japan, the serviceman was instructed by the U.S. Navy to promptly return to the U.S. In other words, the perpetrator of the crime was told to immediately leave Japan and travel back to the U.S. What are your thoughts concerning the circumstances and how the US military in Japan handled the situation? Do you intend to request the U.S. Forces in Japan to make improvements in regard to its handling of such cases?

Minister Kishida: First of all, I believe that heinous crimes such as sexual assault must never occur. As for the case you pointed out, it is my understanding that in the civil trial in Japan, the ruling ordered the accused pay three million yen. I am aware that in relation to this incident, the Government of Japan paid three million yen as a solatium to the victim. As a trial is currently ongoing in the U.S. related to this incident, I intend to pay close attention to the outcomes of the trial. Since this trial is currently in progress, at this stage, I would like to refrain from commenting on this matter.

Yamaguchi, TV Tokyo: What are your thoughts on the circumstance where the victim had no choice but to go to the U.S.?

Minister Kishida: I intend to check the background of this matter. In any case, since the trial is currently ongoing in the U.S., I will continue to pay close attention to any related developments.