Press Conferences

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasuhide Nakayama: I am Yasuhide Nakayama, who was appointed as the State Minister for Foreign Affairs. I am looking forward to working with you.

I am in charge of the North American Affairs Bureau, Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Bureau, Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau, Foreign Policy Bureau, Economic Affairs Bureau, International Legal Affairs Bureau, and Consular Affairs Bureau.

I am determined to work hard for the era of our cherished children. I would be glad if you could give us advice in the future.

I hope we can work together well in the future.

State Minister Nakayama: The World Assembly for Women in Tokyo, so called “WAW! Tokyo 2014”, will be held in Tokyo tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his spouse and many prominent public figures of the world, including Ms. Christine Lag0arde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and Ms. Cherie Blair, spouse of former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, will be participating in the assembly. The assembly aims to discuss on realization of a society in which women can play an active role and to transmit such discussion.

On the occasion of the symposium, “Shine Weeks” are set from this week. A total of 115 events related to women are scheduled to be held in and outside of Japan and I believe that we have got numerous supports from civil society.

Both public and private sectors are working together to realize “a society in which women shine” and I also hope that this symposium will be a success.

Kojima, NHK: I think that you are not in charge of this issue, but Mr. Song Il, Ho, North Korean Ambassador, received an interview with Kyodo News yesterday. In the interview, he stated that he was prepared to make a report. How do you view his remarks? At the same time, he stated that he would ask for the lifting of sanctions. Would you please tell us what you will judge when it comes to lifting the sanctions in the future.

State Minister Nakayama: Concerning the facts of the report that you have just mentioned, I am not aware of them at all. In addition, in terms of the future proceedings, we are currently working on it through the embassy route in Beijing.

Moreover, I am aware of the fact that a similar question was given to Chief Cabinet Secretary this morning. He also stated that the Government of Japan is not aware of such a fact that you are saying at all and at the same time stated that the Japanese Government is discussing through the embassy route in Beijing. I would like to say that my answer to your question is no different from it.

Yamaguchi, Nikkei Shimbun: President Obama has announced that the air strikes that have been continuing in Iraq will be expanded to Syria. At the press conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary this morning, he expressed the Government of Japan’s standpoint of supporting the fight against terrorism. At the same time, there are concerns that the situation will become bogged down with the expansion of military action. Can I ask for your thoughts on this?

State Minister Nakayama: First of all, I am aware that on September 10 at United States Eastern Time, President Obama addressed the American people and that in his speech, he explained the wide range of US policies against ISIL in terms of diplomacy, military action, and humanitarian aid. At the same time, the Government of Japan has been condemning terrorism in all its forms, including attacks by the armed groups such as the ISIL, and that it supports the fight against terrorism being waged by the Government of Iraq and every other country.

My understanding is that President Obama’s speech showed his stance that as part of the fight against terrorism, his administration will collaborate even more closely with the international community to face ISIL. Going forward, I consider that the Government of Japan will continue to collaborate closely with various countries, including the United States, and that it will strive to provide support and cooperation to the extent possible, including for the points that the President mentioned in his speech.

At the same time, I am aware of some news reports saying that Japan expressed support to the U.S. air strikes based on the comments by the Chief Cabinet Secretary. But with regards to this, I think it is necessary to first examine the facts, including the content of President Obama’s speech. I did not hear the President used the term ‘air strikes,’ so I must confirm this point. At the same time, my understanding is that the Chief Cabinet Secretary’s comments expressed in general terms Japan’s firm support to the fight against terrorism.

Matsumoto, Jiji Press: I would like to ask about former Prime Minister Mori’s meeting with President Putin of Russia.

First, I would like to ask about how you view this meeting. Also, Mr. Mori delivered a personal letter from Prime Minister Abe to Mr. Putin; did this letter include something such as a request for the president to visit Japan? Please tell us, as well, how the coordination for the timing of the president’s visit to Japan is proceeding right now.

State Minister Nakayama: I have learned that former Prime Minister Mori is visiting Moscow to take part in the Japan-Russia Forum 2014 organized by the Mainichi Shinbun. I believe his meeting with President Putin started at a little after 11 p.m. on September 10, local time; 4 a.m. on September 11, Japan time.

This meeting was conducted on the basis of a long-standing friendship between former Prime Minister Mori and President Putin. It has been reported that during the meeting, the president told Mr. Mori that dialogue with Japan would be continued and it must be continued. Either way, going forward, the Government of Japan intends to advance the relationship between our two countries, to the benefit of Japan’s national interests.

You also asked about the schedule for the visit, and the personal letter. First of all, I would like to refrain from talking about the contents of this letter. However, I am aware that former Prime Minister Mori stated the necessity of ceaselessly continuing the dialogue between our two countries, to President Putin.

As for the schedule for Mr. Putin’s visit to Japan, nothing has been decided, and this will be considered in a comprehensive manner, taking into account various factors.