Press Conferences

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: Today an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shinya Yamada, was arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of arson at the Embassy of Japan in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Following the fire that occurred at the Embassy of Japan in the Democratic Republic of Congo on June 20 local time, the Ministry carried out an independent investigation, and as a result we had reasons to believe that Shinya Yamada, who had been working at the Embassy, had deliberately set fire. Consequently, on August 2 we filed a complaint on suspected arson to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
Firstly, the fact that a MOFA’s official has been arrested, and that significant damage has occurred at the Embassy, including the loss of public funds, is deeply regrettable. As Minister for Foreign Affairs I would like to apologize to Japanese citizens.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to carry out its investigation, and will cooperate fully with the police’s investigation. I have once again instructed Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Akitaka Saiki and Deputy Vice-Minister Kazuhiko Koshikawa to cooperate with the police’s investigation toward clarifying the facts, and to respond rigorously to this incident and make every effort to ensure prevention of such an incident. With regard to the handling of relevant personnel to this incident, strict actions will be taken based on the facts that come to light in the inquiry and investigation going forward.
I would like to have the Deputy Vice-Minister explain the details in a following press conference.

Imoto, TBS: What are your frank thoughts on this crime, where citizens’ taxes were misappropriated and a fire was set in an attempt to destroy evidence?

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: To begin with, I again regret that a MOFA’s official has been arrested, and must apologize sincerely to the citizens of Japan. And where the facts are concerned, based on the Ministry’s investigation, for example, it is believed that Shinya Yamada carried out the arson, but he has not admitted it. He has not admitted other facts either. Therefore I believe we will have to wait until the facts are clarified by further investigation etc. I believe the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must cooperate fully on clarifying those facts and on clarifying the causes.

Imoto, TBS: What do you think caused this incident?

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: There are various factors, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is conscious that it must continue to make solid efforts to apply additionally strict various regulations and procedures at embassies and diplomatic offices going forward. We recognize it as a serious challenge.

Watanabe, NHK: An arrest was made on charge of arson, but has there been any indication thus far that the suspect’s supervisors at the Embassy, including the Ambassador at the time, knew of this incident in some way?

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: I would like to refrain from discussing various specific facts at this point in time. As I said earlier, we must firstly begin with solidly ascertaining the facts and the causes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to continue to cooperate on all fronts.