Press Conferences

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: I would like to mention the Arria formula meeting for Security Council members on the human rights situation in North Korea. Security Council members held unofficial dialogue on Thursday, April 17 local time, and discussed the human rights situation in the DPRK and the recent report by the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Human Rights in the DPRK in particular. I highly commend these efforts.

Japan announced that it hoped that Security Council members would take appropriate action with regard to the human rights situation in the DPRK, which includes the abduction issue. Mr. Teruaki Masumoto, Secretary General of the Japanese Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea, made direct appeals by conveying the voice of the family members of abduction victims, and I believe that this was a meaningful endeavor.

The participating countries expressed much support for the need for the Security Council to take appropriate action. I intend to hold discussions with relevant countries with a view to further deepening the understanding of the Security Council members and others, and bringing about concrete action by the Security Council in the future.

Yamazaki, Fuji TV: Yesterday it was announced that your visit to Russia that was planned for this month had been postponed. How do you feel about this, and what effect will this have on Japan-Russia relations in the future?

Minister Kishida: The Japanese and Russian sides have coordinated and communicated in various ways in relation to the postponement of my visit to Russia, and ultimately this postponement, which is due to schedule conflicts, has been confirmed based on an agreement by the two sides. Going forward, we intend to continue holding discussions on the specific schedule related to this postponement. There have been various developments regarding the situation in Ukraine, and in the context of the situation in Asia and others as well, Japan would like to continue with political dialogues, recognizing the importance of Japan-Russia relations.

Yamazaki, Fuji TV: Director-General-level talks between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) took place this week, and are set to be held again next month. What is your outlook for the improvement of Japan-ROK relations?

Minister Kishida: As for dialogue between Japan and the ROK, Director-General-level talks have taken place, and the first round of the talks mainly addressed the issue of comfort women. It was agreed that the talks would be continued in the future, and the next meeting is scheduled to be held in May at the earliest. There are a variety of issues in the area of Japan-ROK relations. We are aiming to thoroughly communicate with regard to specific issues such as this, and based on this, we intend to advance relations between our two countries, and thereby develop these talks into dialogues at higher political levels.

Watanabe, NHK: This question is related to Russia. Yesterday, four foreign minister-level officials from Russia, the EU, Ukraine, and the U.S. gathered in Geneva, and issued a joint statement. This appears to indicate a certain degree of compromise. Taking into consideration what you just mentioned about Japan-Russia relations in the future, what is Japan’s assessment of this development, and how should Japan respond to the situation in Ukraine going forward?

Minister Kishida: First of all, I would like to commend this initial step of these four representatives holding a meeting at the same table. The Joint Geneva Statement on Ukraine has been issued, and this declaration states that all illegally seized buildings must be returned to legitimate owners. I recognize that steady and smooth implementation of this statement will be important going forward. I intend to closely watch these initiatives in the future.

As for Japan-Russia relations, since the past, Japan has continued to strongly state that Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected, and that any changes to the status quo by force or coercion in the background are unacceptable. I believe that we must continue to thoroughly convey this message together with G7 countries and other relevant countries, and I think that it is important to have political dialogue in which we thoroughly communicate with Russia based on the relationship between Japan and Russia that we have been building since last year. I therefore intend to continue with these political dialogue.

Yamazaki, Fuji Television: The House of Representatives’ Committee on Rules and Administration is investigating whether to ban the use of smartphones in the House. What are your thoughts on this, such as on your own use of a smartphone in the House?

Minister Kishida: I am not aware of the details of this discussion, but I imagine that it will take place based upon such considerations as the performance of smartphones and the changes in their use over time.

Yamazaki, Fuji Television: Do you agree or disagree with their use?

Minister Kishida: The Committee on Rules and Administration will decide on the rule for the Diet, so from my standpoint, I think I should refrain from saying whether I agree or disagree.

Yamamoto, Sankei Shimbun: I understand that you were staying in Prime Minister’s Office at the moment. Can you tell us the reason for this?

Minister Kishida: Because of matters for confirmation with relevant Cabinet Ministers.