Press Conferences

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: From this afternoon, April 11, to tomorrow, April 12, events related to the 8th Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI) Ministerial Meeting will be held.

It is the first time for an NPDI ministerial meeting to take place in Japan. Moreover, as a matter of course, this will be the first-ever meeting held in Hiroshima, where a nuclear bomb was dropped. I would like the representatives from each country to interact with the citizens and also to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum to learn the reality of nuclear bombing.

Moreover, a “Youth Exchange Program for a World without Nuclear Weapons” involving young people from NPDI member countries is also scheduled. We want to spread awareness of the humanitarian aspect of nuclear weapons across generations.

We expect that the representatives from each country will learn the reality of the nuclear bombing and hold discussions at the NPDI Ministerial Meeting in order to make valuable proposals for the third session of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) for the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to be held in late April. In addition, we are planning to release a “Hiroshima Declaration” including a strong political message for a world free of nuclear weapons.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: I would like to ask you about Japan-DPRK relations. It was reported that Japan and DPRK held unofficial consultations in Shenyang, China, on April 5 and 6. Could you tell us if that it true?

Minister Kishida: I have seen the report. However, the report is not accurate and there was no such a fact.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: Did you ever have such unofficial consultations before?

Minister Kishida: No.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: DPRK has conventionally taken a stance that the abduction issue has already been resolved. Did DPRK side show any positive attitude toward reinvestigation that Japan has been requesting?

Minister Kishida: In the intergovernmental consultations between Japan and DPRK held on March 30 and 31, the Government of Japan took up the abduction issue as a major concern of Japan. In response to that, DPRK side did not refuse discussions. Then, both sides shared the views that the consultations will be continued. The Government of Japan will keep working on this issue with perseverance.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: Do you mean that the Government of Japan considers their attitude of remaining seated, not refusing dialogues, and not refusing discussions as a positive one?

Minister Kishida: Since we will continue the consultations, I will refrain from publicly addressing specific comments, but I understand both sides agreed to continue discussions also on the abduction issue.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: Concerning the situation in Ukraine, demonstrations occurred in the eastern region of Ukraine and public buildings have been occupied. In the meantime, you have committed to the visit to Russia in April, but it is already the middle of April. What do you think about the current situation?

Minister Kishida: Concerning the situation in Ukraine, the Government of Japan is concerned and keeps closely monitoring the situation. We request all the concerned parties to behave carefully with self-restraint and responsibility. We also consider that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine should be respected and that any attempt to change the status quo with force will not be allowed. We will keep expressing such views. We have been closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine with such views, but in terms of my visit to Russia, nothing has been determined in specific terms. I would like to make my final decision after I comprehensively judge the situation in Ukraine, actions by concerned nations such as G7 and other things.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: In terms of the month of April, do you think you need to make your visit by the end of April even if the situation in Ukraine, such as the riots in eastern area of Ukraine, will not be completely controlled?

Minister Kishida: We confirmed with the Russian side in the past that the visit would be made in April, but the situation in Ukraine is volatile. Therefore, I think we need to assess the situation before making our decision.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: Regarding Japan-US relations, I would like to ask about President Barack Obama’s visit to Japan. The schedule of his arrival had not been determined. How was the adjustment made?

Minister Kishida: Adjustments are still being made. Concerning the date of arrival and specific time of arrival, we learned that the final adjustments are still being made.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: The decision was reportedly made that the visit will be on April 23. Is that true?

Minister Kishida: We are still making adjustments and are in the final stages. However, I have not learned that the time of arrival had been determined.

Nakamura, Nippon TV: This question is on the NPDI. It is true that Japan is the only victim of the atomic bomb during a war, but with Japan in a position of depending on a nuclear umbrella, in what way do you intend to lead the discussions, taking into consideration this type of standpoint?

Minister Kishida: The countries of the world are in a variety of positions. Some countries possess nuclear weapons, and some countries do not possess nuclear weapons. Each country is in a different type of security environment. Although there is a variety of countries, the United States and a lot of countries share the major goal of realizing a world without nuclear weapons. While the methods for achieving this major goal vary depending on each country’ standpoint, in recent years, discussions have been taking place recognizing the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons which is serving as a catalyst for unifying countries in terms of the desire to make progress toward achieving this goal.

This recognition should be spreading across national borders and generations and is also being deepened from a scientific standpoint. By deepening this discussion, countries with various points of view are being united and I believe it is necessary to create this kind of public opinion. Even at the NPDI Ministerial Meeting, I want Japan to take the lead in the debate while focusing on this recognition.

Watanabe, NHK: My question relates to Ukraine and Russia. When the Minister visits Russia, I believe that the Japan-Russia intergovernmental committee on trade and the economy is to be held as a set with First Deputy Prime Minister Shuvalov. What is the status of preparations for these meetings and is there any adjustment with Russia in terms of the current situation?

Minister Kishida: Nothing has been decided at the current time. I consider this also to be an issue to be decided on by a comprehensive judgment of the various conditions involved.

Suzuki, Mainichi Shimbun: Of course, on the one hand we have to think of Japan-Russia relations accumulated as relations between nations, on the other hand, Japan must also cooperate with the G7, which puts Japan in a delicate situation. With regards to this, at the current point in time, how are you explaining Japan’s stance to Russia?

Minister Kishida: Japan values its cooperation and unity with G7 and we particularly cannot recognize attempts to change the status quo by force. We have made this position abundantly clear in the two joint statements by G7 and also in the recent Hague Declaration.

While continuing to value our cooperation with G7, we have also the cooperative relationship with Russia we have strengthened since last year. Based on this relationship between our two countries, we will talk firmly with Russia, urge it to act responsibly and appeal to Russia. This is our position. We will communicate this fundamental approach to Russia through various routes and at a number of levels.
Even the Hague Declaration includes such a content as encouraging Russia to make diplomatic efforts to alleviate the situation.
I consider that Japan will also intend to urge Russia to act responsibly.