Press Conferences

Mr. Koichi Mizushima: Today at approximately 11 a.m., Mr. Akitaka Saiki, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, summoned Mr. Cheng Yonghua, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to Japan, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and made a strong protest regarding the June 11 incident in which Chinese military fighter aircraft flew close to aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Maritime Self-Defense Force and strongly demanded the prevention of reoccurrences.

Vice-Minister Saiki pointed out that an incident in which Chinese military aircraft flew close to Japan Self-Defense Force aircraft occurred just recently, on May 24, and on that occasion Vice-Minister Saiki lodged a strong protest and strongly demanded the prevention of reoccurrences. Vice-Minister Saiki said that the reoccurrence of a similar incident is deeply deplorable and lodged a strong protest and strongly demanded the prevention of reoccurrences, so that extremely dangerous activities that could lead to an unexpected accident in the sea or airspace in the vicinity of Japan should not be repeated.

Vice-Minister Saiki said that it was important that the defense authorities of Japan and China discuss the safety and security at sea and in airspace in order to avoid and prevent unexpected incidents between the two countries, and that both sides should start the operation of the maritime communication mechanism between Japan and China defense authorities as early as possible.

In addition, Vice-Minister Saiki also strongly protested against China’s application to have records concerning the “Nanjing Incident” and “comfort women” issue listed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, and he demanded that China withdraw the application immediately.

Mr. Koichi Mizushima: The second item is about the re-election of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Judge Shunji Yanai. On June 12 the election of members of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) took place at the Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea being held in New York. It is of great delight for the Government of Japan that Judge Shunji Yanai, incumbent President of ITLOS, and a candidate nominated by the Government, has been re-elected, obtaining the largest number of votes among the candidates of Asia-Pacific Group.

Amid the ever-increasing role ITLOS performs in peaceful settlement of disputes in relation to the sea and strengthening the “rule of law” in the oceans, Judge Yanai has been making significant contribution to ITLOS since elected in 2005. In particular, from 2011 he has demonstrated his leadership as President of ITLOS. Judge Yanai’s re-election indicates the high esteem of the international community for him.

Expecting that Judge Yanai will play an even more active role, the Government of Japan will continue to cooperate for the further advancement of ITLOS in order to proactively contribute to the promotion of the “rule of law” in the oceans.