Press Conferences

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: Good morning. Exactly one year ago, on December 26 last year, I was appointed as the 143rd Minister for Foreign Affairs. I would like to begin today by reflecting on the past year.

During this past year, I have worked for diplomacy based on the three pillars of foreign policy: strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance, focusing on relations with neighboring countries and developing economic diplomacy. Over the year, I have visited 26 countries and regions, and engaged in approximately 250 meetings with foreign dignitaries.

As a result, in terms of Japan-U.S. relations, in February, I visited the U.S. along with the Prime Minister and redeveloped the strong ties between Japan and the U.S. In October, the Japan-U.S. “2+2” Meeting with the attendance of four ministers was held in Tokyo for the first time. Further, yesterday, the two Governments announced the launch of bilateral consultations towards producing a bilateral agreement that would supplement the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement on environmental aspects.

As for diplomacy with neighboring countries, Japan and Russia has held four summit meetings this year, and this fall, the first ever “2+2” Meeting was held. In relation to this, I would like to announce that a vice-ministerial-level meeting will be held on January 31 next year in Tokyo regarding negotiations for the conclusion of a peace treaty. I am now announcing this for the first time.

P>With regard to ASEAN, recently, the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit Meeting was successfully held. We have not been able to hold summit-level talks with China or the ROK yet, but our door for dialogue is always open. I believe that international understanding on Japan’s position has prevailed.

Concerning economic diplomacy, we have participated in TPP negotiations since July, and begun a number of new consultations regarding economic partnership agreements. We also proactively developed top-level involvement in boosting business activities.

In addition to the three pillars aforementioned, we actively addressed global issues. I have been focusing on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and the realization of Japan’s participation in the Joint Statement on the Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons left a deep impression.

Over the past year, I believe that Japan’s international presence has increased, and that higher expectations are being placed on Japan. It seems that Tokyo’s successful bid to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games is evidence of such expectations. Meanwhile, the security environment surrounding Japan continues to be severe. From the position of “Proactive Contribution to Peace” based on the principle of international cooperation, we intend to make a further positive contribution to ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the world.

Based on this perspective, I will be starting the New Year by visiting Spain and France from January 7 through 10. In Spain, I am scheduled to engage in foreign-ministerial talks, and in France, I will be participating in the first “2+2” Meeting. I intend to give first-hand explanations of Japan’s initiatives based on our “Proactive Contribution to Peace,” and hope to reaffirm our joint contribution to the peace and stability of the international community.

Kikuchi, Asahi Shimbun: Before looking back over the year’s achievements, there is a point I would like to confirm. Relations with neighboring countries were just mentioned, but there are reports that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Yasukuni Shrine this morning. I would like to ask if you can confirm this. Also, there are reports that Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobuo Kishi has visited Yasukuni Shrine. I would like to know whether or not you have confirmed this, and if so, what impact you think it will have.

Minister Kishida: I am not aware of the matters you have pointed out.

Nakamura, Nippon Television: I apologize for a hypothetical question, but in the event the Prime Minister visited Yasukuni Shrine, what do you think the impact would be on neighboring countries, Japan-ROK relations, Japan-China relations and relations with the U.S.?

Minister Kishida: That is indeed a hypothetical question, and I would like to refrain from answering it.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: When the Abe administration was launched, some described Prime Minister Abe as a conservative, and in the U.S. and elsewhere, I remember he was described as “right-wing.” Over the past year, I believe efforts were made to dispel various concerns via foreign diplomacy channels. Now that efforts such as those have accumulated, what do you think the current image of Prime Minister Abe is externally, in terms of the relationship between Japan and the U.S., for example?

Minister Kishida: I am aware that there were various discussions and viewpoints regarding the Abe administration; but in actual statements, responses to questions in the Diet and so forth, the Cabinet has repeatedly expressed the attitude and response that the entire position on the recognition of history outlined by previous administrations is continued by the Abe Cabinet, and based on the principle of “Proactive Contribution to Peace,” it will make a further positive contribution to the international community. I believe this position is understood by the international community.

By all means, going forward, in foreign diplomacy and security policy, the Government of Japan will strive to contribute internationally more actively than ever, from the position of “Proactive Contribution to Peace” based on the principle of international cooperation. We intend to continue our efforts to ensure that the Government of Japan’s foreign diplomacy stance is thoroughly understood.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: Do you believe that the image of the Prime Minister as being right-leaning has already been dispelled?

Minister Kishida: The Prime Minister himself has expressed his beliefs thoroughly at various international meetings and when responding to questions in the Diet, etc., and each relevant minister has also expressed that way of thinking thoroughly. I believe that the understanding of those beliefs has deepened, and this is something we intend to continue to make efforts on.

Kamiide, Freelance: I would simply like to ask two questions. To start with an immediate issue, i.e. the South Sudan issue, it appears that ultimately the Japanese peacekeeping operations are likely to withdraw. That being the case, the issue of the ammunition that was contributed in kind to the ROK is generating debate that the decision may have violated the Three Principles on Arms Exports. Ultimately, amid a situation in which peacekeepers seem to be withdrawing, I do not think that you will gain the public’s understanding for undertaking such an action without proper verification. To begin with, I would like to ask what your views are on this.

Secondly, as an overall issue, summit meetings and such have regrettably not been held with China and the ROK. In terms of recent developments, and in particular with regard to the Air Defense Identification Zone, although this cannot be exactly evaluated, China appears to have something of an edge over Japan, and regrettably this view is reflected in the foreign media’s reports, too. It appears that Japan’s foreign diplomacy is under pressure on various fronts compared to China and the ROK, including the discrepancies between Japan and the U.S., and those at the ASEAN meeting. What are your thoughts on such suggestions? Could you respond to these two points, please?

Minister Kishida: To begin with, regarding the South Sudan situation, there is no truth whatsoever in reports that the Government of Japan is currently considering withdrawing from UNMISS. I recognize that the situation in South Sudan requires caution, but I have been told that Juba, the capital, where Japan’s Self-Defense Forces are deployed, is calm on the surface.

Regarding the reports that ammunition was contributed in kind to ROK troops, over 15,000 displaced people are flowing into the ROK’s encampment, and the situation in the vicinity of that encampment is tense. Under those circumstances, the Government of Japan was requested for contribution in kind by the UN, the ROK military on the ground, and the ROK side via diplomatic channels as well. Additionally, taking the circumstances into account comprehensively, including factors such as the sense of urgency, the humanitarian aspect and the fact that only Japan possessed the same kind of ammunition as the ROK military, the Government of Japan responded, under the contribution in kind framework set forth in Article 25 of the Act on Cooperation for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and Other Operations.

Regarding your second point on Japan-China and Japan-ROK, the Government of Japan considers Japan-China relations and Japan-ROK relations as important bilateral relationships, and I believe that by ensuring the stability of these relationships, we fulfill a significant responsibility in the international community. Over the past year, even if there were individual problems, based on our belief that we must respond based on a broad perspective of not affecting the overall relationships. Based on that view, we have been calling for the necessity of dialogue. I believe that this view is important. Going forward, I intend to continue to stress this view to countries such as China and the ROK. Further, I will strive to promote the understanding of this view of the Government of Japan to relevant countries as well. I hope, by all means, that this view is understood thoroughly by China and the ROK, and that they would respond to us. I believe there should be an ongoing effort with this approach.

Watanabe, NHK: NHK just now broke the news that today we have received information that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Yasukuni Shrine. I would like to hear your response to this matter. Looking back on the past year, with regard to Japan-China and Japan-ROK relations, you mentioned that Japan is keeping its doors for dialogue open. Bearing this in mind, please give us your thoughts on Prime Minister Abe’s visiting Yasukuni Shrine against this sort of background, which will invite a backlash from China and the ROK.

Minister Kishida: As I stated in my previous response, I am not aware of this as a fact.

Mizuuchi, Sankei Shimbun: If you could answer in general terms, I believe that you have stated in regard to Yasukuni Shrine that it is natural to pay respect to the war dead, and that visits to the shrine by Cabinet members and politicians are a matter of personal belief. May I ask once again for your general thoughts on the matter of Yasukuni Shrine and politics?

Minister Kishida: Firstly, I believe it is important to pay respect to those who have sacrificed their precious lives for their country. That said, I view visits to Yasukuni Shrine by politicians and Cabinet members as being a matter of personal belief. Either way, I believe that we must prevent such a matter from becoming a political issue or diplomatic issue.

Imoto, TBS: I am sorry to continue asking the same kind of question, but Yasukuni Shrine itself has also announced that Prime Minister Abe will visit the shrine at 11:30 am. Do you plan to confirm this report and take some kind of measures?

Minister Kishida: No, as I do not currently recognize this as fact, I will refrain from commenting based on a hypothetical idea.

Imoto, TBS: No, my question is whether you, as Minister, after confirming this report as the fact rather than a hypothetical question, plan to issue some kind of message or other statement, that will prevent this from becoming a diplomatic issue or not. I do not know whether that will be part of our coverage or not, but my question is whether you are preparing to give a response to this matter?

Minister Kishida: First of all, I do not recognize this as fact. I would venture to say that if there is such a report at all, I would like to confirm it. Regarding what facts will be confirmed, I have no plans to comment on them at this point.

Watanabe, NHK: On the topic of Japan-Russia relations, you just announced that a vice-ministerial-level meeting is set to be held on January 31, 2014. Multiple summit-level talks have taken place, and the “2+2” Meeting was also implemented. With this progress in terms of Japan-Russia relations and political dialogues, what are the expected outcomes regarding the upcoming vice-ministerial meeting, and where will you position the meeting in the overall picture? Furthermore, what are your thoughts on the progress of negotiations concerning the Northern Territories?

Minister Kishida: As for the specific agenda of the vice-ministerial meeting, I believe that bilateral discussions will take place going forward, and that naturally the talks will cover overall bilateral relations between Japan and Russia including the issue of the conclusion of a peace treaty. I anticipate that pressing international issues and other topics will also be discussed.

I hope that those talks will improve relations between Japan and Russia overall, and that they will bear fruit that will facilitate discussions on the issues of the Northern Territories and of the conclusion of a peace treaty.

Kikuchi, Asahi Shimbun: Reflecting on the past year, which achievements do you think were the most characteristic of your approach to diplomacy? Also, there have been calls for the Foreign Minister to have a stronger voice since the Prime Minister’s Office is heading diplomacy. What are your thoughts on this matter?

Minister Kishida: First of all, this is my personal view, but basically I believe that it is important for Japan to thoroughly protect its national interests with a focus on the three pillars of foreign diplomacy that I mentioned earlier. We must also thoroughly address global issues such as the environment, disaster prevention and women’s rights. I have carried out my work and my diplomacy based on this approach.

Among these global issues is nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and since I hailed from an area where the first atomic bomb was dropped, I have strong personal feelings about this topic. In this field, this year we proposed a new initiative of “Youth Communicators for a World without Nuclear Weapons,” which has been accepted by the international community. Japan also participated in the Joint Statement on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons for the first time.

We have succeeded in implementing a variety of initiatives such as these, but going forward, in order to achieve the ultimate objective of realizing a world without nuclear weapons, we need to continue to make dedicated efforts next year. An NPDI foreign ministers’ meeting is scheduled in Hiroshima next April. Based on such plans, I intend to thoroughly communicate with the international community on behalf of Japan in the area of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

Kikuchi, Asahi Shimbun: What are your thoughts on diplomacy being led by the Prime Minister’s Office?

Minister Kishida: I believe that diplomacy is something that is addressed by the entire government. Not just the Prime Minister’s Office or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but all of the ministries and agencies carry out work in fields related to diplomacy. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, for instance, plays a significant role in energy diplomacy; and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is involved in areas such as Japan’s Strategy on Global Health Diplomacy. Again, I feel that diplomacy must be carried out by the government as a whole. In this context, it is only natural for the ideas of the Prime Minister to be set forth in a relatively strong manner. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinates the initiatives of the government as a whole, and operates many overseas establishments worldwide. Therefore, I believe that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plays a major role and toils on the front lines. Going forward, I intend to engage in my duties while giving consideration to the duty that the Minister for Foreign Affairs should be carrying out inside the government.