Press Conferences

Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida: At today’s Cabinet meeting it was decided that the Government of Japan will extend as its emergency grant aid approximately 26 million JPY via UNICEF and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to support internally-displaced persons and others in Ukraine that have flowed out of Crimea and Eastern Ukraine recently.

The number of displaced persons in Ukraine from Crimea has been steadily increasing since the declaration of the “annexation of Crimea” by Russia. Additionally, as a result of the confused situation in Eastern Ukraine, there are concerns that displaced persons from that region will also increase. The Government of Japan expects to contribute to domestic stability in Ukraine as a result of this cooperation.

Minister Kishida: At today’s Cabinet meeting it was decided to dispatch Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Takao Makino as Ambassador on Special Mission to the inauguration ceremony for Ukraine’s new President, Mr. Petro Poroshenko. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Makino is scheduled to visit Ukraine on June 6 and 7.

Yamaguchi, TV Tokyo: My question concerns the G7. A G7 Leaders Communiqué was adopted that is critical of Russia from the standpoint of energy security and other matters, but at the same time, immediately after the G7 Summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin held Summit Meetings in Paris with the UK and French leaders. As the government of Japan, you were scheduled to visit Russia in April but that trip was postponed. Could you tell me what the Government of Japan’s views are regarding the outlook for dialogue with Russia in Summit Meetings and Foreign Ministers’ meetings going forward?

Minister Kishida: At this G7 Summit there was a large amount of discussion regarding the situation in Ukraine and other regions, and amid that, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe welcomed the outcome of the recent presidential election and noted that it is important that the G7 countries encourage Russia to accept the results of the presidential election as legitimate, and to pursue constructive dialogue with Ukraine’s new government.

Regarding the relationship with Russia, the Government of Japan believes that in the future, it will be vital to coordinate with G7 countries and relevant countries and solidly convey the message that attempting to change the status quo by coercion or intimidation cannot be accepted. Prime Minister Abe also pointed out during the G7 that in addition to conveying this message to Russia, it will be important for Russia to contribute to solving international problems from a responsible standpoint.

Going forward also, with regard to the Ukraine problem, the Government of Japan will emphasize coordination with the G7 countries while placing importance on dialogue with Russia, especially political dialogue.

Yamaguchi, TV Tokyo: Could you tell me specifically what the schedule could be for the timing of a meeting between the Japanese and Russian sides, for example?

Minister Kishida: The situation in Ukraine will require close attention from here forward also, and I intend to place an emphasis on political dialogue, but I think it would be difficult to try to state any kind of concrete schedule. Nothing has been decided.

Yamaguchi, TV Tokyo: In the G7 Communiqué I believe there was a section that appeared to be critical of China, which China is strongly objecting to. What is your reaction to this objection? How do you view it?

Minister Kishida: The G7’s latest Leaders Communiqué includes a section on the freedom of navigation and overflight, but it does not name any specific countries in relation to either. My understanding is that in every respect, it emphasizes the importance of universal rules. This reflects the G7’s collective opinion, and I hope that it will be taken seriously by the international community, including China.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: Director-General Ihara will visit the U.S. from June 10. What sorts of exchanges of views with the U.S. do you expect?

Minister Kishida: Director-General Ihara will visit Washington in the U.S. from June 10 to 12, and is scheduled to exchange views on regional affairs, including the issue of North Korea, with U.S. government officials, including Special Representative for North Korea Policy Glyn Davies.