Press Conferences

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: Yesterday Deputy Ministerial level talks were held between Japan, China and the ROK. There are various international conferences scheduled but I would like to ask what your thoughts are on the outlook for holding a trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting between Japan, China and the ROK.

Minister Kishida: As you pointed out, yesterday, September 11, senior officials’level talks between Japan, China and the ROK, which was the ninth meeting, was held in Seoul. Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Sugiyama attended from Japan. Discussion took place concerning the state of progress of various projects of cooperation between Japan, China and the ROK, and the future direction. Then I received a report that they discussed the need to hold not only these senior officials’ talks but also foreign ministers’ meetings and discussions at the summit level.

There is a shared understanding for maintaining and strengthening the momentum of trilateral cooperation and responding appropriately. From before, the Government of Japan has repeatedly stated that the door for dialogue is open, and we recognize the importance of dialogue at a high political level.

I by all means hope strongly that the ROK and China will also respond to our dialogue.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: What do you think the outlook is for that becoming a reality?

Minister Kishida: The importance of such a dialogue and mutual understanding was also confirmed in yesterday’s discussion, but nothing has been decided specifically.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: I would like to ask about Japan-Russia relations. Russia’s Ambassador to Japan stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Japan that had been agreed to happen in autumn will be postponed, but what is your reaction to that?

Minister Kishida: As I understand it, the statement by Russia’s Ambassador to Japan that you refer to does not suggest that the visit of President Putin to Japan was decided to be postponed. In any case, at present nothing has been decided regarding the schedule for President Putin’s visit to Japan.

I intend to consider it by comprehensively judging various factors.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: Today the EU is expected to announce and implement additional sanctions against Russia. What sort of response will Japan make?

Minister Kishida: To begin with, the EU has announced today that it will implement sanctions. The Government of Japan intends to respond accordingly, while placing an emphasis on coordinating with the G7, based solidly on the course of the EU and the United States, as well as on the situation in Ukraine.

Yamamoto, Sankei Shimbun: My question concerns the press conference held yesterday by Asahi Shimbun President Kimura.

Yesterday Asahi Shimbun retracted press reports of testimony by former plant manager Yoshida at Tokyo Electric Power’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. I would firstly like to ask your reaction to that, and in addition, in President Kimura’s statement he once again apologized for press reports concerning comfort women, and so I would also like to ask what your reaction is to the Asahi Shimbun’s reports on the comfort women issue, which negatively affected Japan’s image even internationally.

Minister Kishida: As you pointed out, I am aware that yesterday the President of Asahi Shimbun held a press conference regarding the statement by Mr Yoshida of Tokyo Electric Power Company and the comfort women issue.

I would by all means like to refrain from commenting on the adequacy of the content of specific media organizations’ reports, but where the comfort women issue is concerned, from before, successive Cabinets as well as Prime Minister Abe have often stated on many occasions that they are deeply pained to think of the comfort women who experienced immeasurable pain and suffering.

And where the comfort women problem is concerned, the Government’s approach has been that the issue should not be allowed to become a political problem or a diplomatic problem.

As I said earlier I would like to refrain from commenting on the adequacy of the content of specific media organizations’ reports, but I do not think it can be denied that reports concerning the comfort women issue by some media have triggered major reactions inside and outside of Japan in the past.

I believe it is important for media organizations to carry out constant verification consciously and responsibly.

Yamamoto, Sankei Shimbun: Could you confirm what kind of reactions you are referring to when you refer to the reactions inside and outside Japan?

Minister Kishida: As you all know, there have been various reactions to this issue, and I am aware that various reactions are being generated by the verification this time and through the press conference.

Yamamoto, Sankei Shimbun: Does it mean reactions concerning the mistaken understanding of the forcible taking away of comfort women, which spread worldwide as a result of reports despite there being no evidence indicating it? Are you referring to it?

Minister Kishida: I am aware that when it comes to reactions, there are various reactions and various opinions and evaluations taking place.

Yamaguchi, Nikkei Shimbun: Yesterday, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated in his address at the Bundestag that he would like to take the opportunity of the next United Nations General Assembly to hold a Foreign Ministerial meeting of the G7. He stated that he wished to discuss the G7’s response to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) as a topic of discussion during this meeting. Could you tell us what stance do you plan to take in approaching this issue, including the issue of air strikes in Syria by the United States, should you attend this meeting?

Minister Kishida: I have already stated from before that Japan will provide support for the fight against terrorism regarding the Iraqi Government and other countries, including the issue of ISIL.

We will consider how to respond to these issues based on this fundamental position, while placing an emphasis on our collaboration with the countries of the G7.

In any case, I would like to refrain from making speculations or predictions about the contents of the meeting at this stage.

Lee, Hong Kong Phoenix TV: Earlier, you stated that nothing has been decided yet about the Japan-China summit meeting. How exactly will Japan urge China to come to the dialogue table? Does Japan stand ready to discuss the territorial issue and the history issue with China?

Minister Kishida: Japan has continuously stated that it is precisely because individual issues exist that a dialogue between our two countries is important. We have also reiterated that dialogue at a high political level is critical.

Japan will continue to thoroughly convey our views to China, and we hope China will agree with us. We will continue to work to realize dialogue at a high political level while explaining such views carefully.

Suzuki, Mainichi Shimbun: I have a question regarding the Senkaku Islands. Two years after Japan’s nationalization of the islands, Chinese Government vessels still continue to enter Japan’s contiguous zone day after day. What is your understanding of the current situation?

Minister Kishida: Needless to say, I recognize that the Senkaku Islands are an inherent part of the territory of Japan, in light of historical facts and based upon international law.

Japan will continue to act firmly and calmly to deal with this situation.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: We are now approaching mid-September. What is the present status of the timing at which Japan will receive North Korea’s first report (of the Special Investigation Committee)?

Minister Kishida: North Korea launched the Special Investigation Committee based on the agreement reached between Japan and North Korea in May, and the investigation is currently ongoing.

Japan intends to firmly assess the developments of this investigation. With regard to the first report, the two countries are currently communicating with each other through the embassy channel. However, at this point in time, nothing has been decided yet regarding the specific date, time, or method of delivery of the first report.