Press Conferences

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: As for the relocation of the Futenma Air Station, we are in the final stage for the approval of the landfill in Henoko. What will the Government intend to focus on?

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: At the Okinawa Policy Council held on December 17, we received a list of five requests from Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima. The Government recognizes that reducing the impact on Okinawa is the priority and is one of the most important challenges. Regarding the Governor’s requests, we need to take them earnestly and make our utmost efforts to respond to them, as the Prime Minister has given direct instructions. Relevant Ministers have received the requests and are working their utmost. We will continue to strive.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: The transfer of Osprey training and its relocation are big hurdles which are quite difficult for other municipalities to face. What are your views on these?

Minister Kishida: The requests contain various points. However, as they are directly urged by Governor Nakaima, I consider that they contain hopes of relevant people of Okinawa. I understand that the Ministers in charge must take them sincerely and work hard. We are currently making those efforts.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: There is information that Nagasaki and Oita Prefectures are candidate sites for transferring Osprey training. What is your impression on that?

Minister Kishida: I am not aware of the details and will refrain from making any specific comments. In any event, we must earnestly take the requests and make efforts.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: Budget negotiations will be in the final stage this afternoon. What will MOFA’s focus be on in the next fiscal budget?

Minister Kishida: For the enhancement of Japan’s diplomacy, we must ask for a well-tailored budget. We must ask once again for a balanced budget especially for the ODA budget, specifically speaking, the ODA budget for health care sector. The establishment of three embassies should also be included.

Watanabe, Kyodo Press: A question on Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit. With less than two weeks to the end of the year, the ROK, the Chair, has not yet been able to arrange a Summit. Will the Government of Japan continue to aim at holding it this year, or are you considering holding the Summit after the New Year?

Minister Kishida: Regarding the Japan-China-ROK Summit, ROK Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Lee Kyung-soo visited Japan on the 17th, met Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Shinsuke Sugiyama and exchanged opinions with him. I understand that Japan, China and the ROK all agree on the importance of holding the Japan-China-ROK Summit. Based on that, Japan supports the efforts of the ROK, the Chair, in realizing it this year. Japan has continued communicating that our door for dialogue is always open. I hope to keep a close eye on the Chair ROK’s efforts by the end of the year.

Nakamura, Nippon TV: With only about ten days left, do you believe it is safe to say that the Summit will be held?

Minister Kishida: If the ROK recognizes the importance and is to fulfill its responsibility as the Chair, as long as we have some days left, my view is that the ROK should make its utmost efforts until the last minute, and we will support its efforts.

Watanabe, Kyodo Press: What do you think is the largest cause of difficulties in holding the Summit? Please tell us your views.

Minister Kishida: Japan’s stance is, as I mentioned earlier, both China and the ROK agree on the importance of the Summit, and we have constantly said that we are open for dialogue anytime. We hope that the Chair, ROK, will make steady efforts to coordinate with China, and we hope to support its efforts. Regarding the details, as the efforts are made by the ROK, I will refrain from making comments.

Toiyama, Ryukyu Shimpo: Yesterday, I suppose, a U.S. Defense Department spokesperson commented that the Okinawa Governor’s request to suspend the operation of the Futenma Air Station within five years is a domestic issue of Japan, and that it would be difficult. What is your response? Similarly, on the revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, the U.S. side is making passive comments, or extremely negative. The Okinawa Governor is urging for answers to Okinawa’s requests for the revision of SOFA and the suspension of the Futenma Air Station operation. How will the Government of Japan negotiate with the U.S. going forward? Furthermore, schedule-wise, by which point of time will the requests be answered, for instance, by the end of year, or would that be difficult?

Minister Kishida: I am aware of such remarks by the U.S. as well as the press reports. The Government recognizes Governor Nakaima’s requests as significantly serious. As we have just received the requests from the Governor on the 17th, we are at a stage where we accept them seriously and relevant Ministers address them. All the more because the Prime Minister has directed so, we must steadily work hard as our utmost efforts are required. As that is the current situation, specific schedules will be determined based on the status of our efforts and various circumstances. Building on our efforts, I hope to bring this matter forward to the point where we can present specific schedules.

Toiyama, Ryukyu Shimpo: Does that mean you hope to make some progress by the decision on the landfill?

Minister Kishida: Currently in response to the requests on the 17th, the Government of Japan is addressing them as a whole.