Press Conferences

Yamazaki, Fuji TV: Yesterday you announced the third round of Japan-North Korea Government-level consultations, and said that you hope to extract a positive response from the North Korea. What sorts of results are you hoping for specifically?

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: Following the previous round of Government-level consultations that took place at the end of March, Government-level consultations will again be held, and this meeting will be approached as an opportunity for both sides to continue to broadly discuss matters of interest.

The Government of Japan intends to solidly voice matters of our concern at these consultations. Furthermore, as you just pointed out, I hope to firmly extract a positive response from the North Korea side. The consultations will take place again from here forward, so I would like to refrain from commenting on specific exchanges now. However, I believe that the Government of Japan certainly wants to engage in the discussions tenaciously.

Yamazaki, Fuji TV: Following the submission of the Report of the Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security, discussions among the ruling parties began from today. As the Foreign Minister, what sorts of things do you expect from the progress of discussions?

Minister Kishida: I believe that to protect the citizens’ lives and livelihoods is a Government’s most important role. Discussions among the ruling parties are beginning, and I expect the discussions to proceed carefully and in a manner that is easy for people to understand. It is my hope that a common ground will be found based on that.

Yamazaki, Fuji TV: Again, what are your thoughts on the timing and others of the Cabinet decision?

Minister Kishida: Discussions among the ruling parties are beginning today, and everyone involved is emphasizing that there is no deadline or conclusion. Consequently, at the present stage, I am unable to make any predictions regarding the course of these discussions, and neither can I tell you any deadline and others. My hope is that careful discussions will take place and the national understanding will move forward.

Watanabe, NHK: Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting China from today, and I expect that various discussions will take place between China and Russia. Among others, there is talk emerging that both sides will agree to hold some kind of joint ceremony next year for the 70th anniversary since the war. Based on Japan’s standpoint regarding China-Russia collaboration, what are your thoughts on the prospect of China and Russia cooperating from now on?

Minister Kishida: I am aware that President Putin is visiting China to attend an international conference. I do not believe that the Government of Japan is in a position to comment regarding China-Russia cooperation, but I intend to watch these developments closely.

Nakamura, Nippon TV: Martial law is in place across all of Thailand. Have there been reports of Japanese nationals being injured? In what way is their safety currently being managed?

Minister Kishida: I am paying close attention to developments in Thailand, in particular from the standpoint of the safety of Japanese nationals and Japanese companies, but at present I have not heard of any specific instances of human suffering involving Japanese nationals.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: With regard to the current discussion about the right of collective self-defense, on the one hand, you have just stated that you cannot set a time limit, but on the other hand, it has been confirmed by Japan and the U.S. that the deadline for the review of the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation would be the end of the year. How do you think this will influence it?

Minister Kishida: As I have said repeatedly, it was decided at the “2+2” meeting last year that the time period for the review of the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation would be the end of this year. But on the other hand, with regard to the discussion on the legal basis for national security, including on the right of collective self-defense, discussions among the ruling parties are about to take place. This is the stage we are at. Therefore, the review of the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation will be progressed under the current constitutional interpretation. This is the current situation.