Press Conferences

Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida: In the early hours of October 20 (the morning of October 20, New York time), New Zealand, on behalf of 155 countries, and Australia, on behalf of 20 countries, each issued a Joint Statement on the Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons at the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. Japan participated in these Joint Statements, as it did last year. The statements both demonstrate a countries’ strong political intention to pursue a world without nuclear weapons. Since their contents are consistent with Japan’s security policies and its nuclear disarmament approach, Japan participated in both statements. As the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings in war, Japan intends to continue to lead the international community’s realistic and practical efforts to achieve a world without nuclear weapons, through efforts such as the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI).

Fujita, Fuji TV: Yesterday two new Cabinet ministers in succession were appointed from the Kishida Faction. I would like to ask how you feel at the moment. Or rather, could you tell us what your feelings are as a faction chief?

Minister Kishida: The fact that the members of our policy group has been praised and appointed to the Cabinet should be welcomed. However, now is the time for the strengths of the Abe Cabinet to be tested. prior to the approaching extraordinary Diet session. This is an important time, so I think the Government as a whole must cooperate with a solid sense of unity. Precisely because it is an important time, we must also have a sense of responsibility. I want all Cabinet ministers to be united and to approach the extraordinary Diet session united.

Fujita, Fuji TV: This morning there was a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC).From today, the Secretariat of the NSC Shotaro Yachi visits the ROK. Is this in some form to try to coordinate a Japan-ROK summit meeting at the APEC meeting?

Minister Kishida: First, the Secretariat of the NSC Yachi has built relations with his counterparts in various countries, as he was instructed to do by the Prime Minister. His current visit to the ROK is part of this. While in the ROK, he will meet with various relevant parties, including Mr. Kim Kwan-jin, Chief of the National Security Office of the ROK, and I think that they will exchange opinions on a wide range of issues, including security policy, the situation in North Korea, and moreover Japan-ROK relations. Therefore, the visit to the ROK by the Secretariat of the NSC Yachi did not aim to coordinate a Japan-ROK summit and others. But I think that various communication between Japan and ROK at a high level is very important. I hope accumulating this sort of communication on various levels and issues will lead to communication between our countries on high political level.

Fujita, Fuji TV: It was decided yesterday to dispatch a delegation to Pyongyang, but as of today, the timing for their dispatch has still not been announced. Has anything been decided on the timing and also has it been confirmed who the delegation will be able to hold talks with and which people will deal with their visit?

Minister Kishida: As was also clarified yesterday by the Chief Cabinet Secretary, we consider this dispatch to be vital from the perspective of stressing the abduction issue as the most important issue for Japan. It will also be important to ask strong questions and express doubts about the current progress of the investigation to responsible persons. The delegation will be dispatched from this standpoint. But with regards to the specific details of persons the delegation will meet or the timing of dispatch, we are now arranging these details via the route of the embassies in Beijing. These arrangements are currently on-going, so nothing has been decided at the present time. But I hope the arrangements will be made and a decision taken as soon as possible.

Fujita, Fuji TV: The Japanese Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea has stated that this move would be hasty. Was the decision to dispatch the delegation made based on a conviction that it would achieve some sort of result?

Minister Kishida: I believe that the involvement of all the people concerned in Japan is very important in order to address this kind of problem. Therefore, we must listen closely to the voices of the many relevant parties, including the families of abduction victims, so I have had various opportunities to listen to their opinions. Based on this belief, the Government of Japan has decided to dispatch this delegation while valuing such things as I have just mentioned from the perspective of advancing the investigation. I sincerely want to hear the opinions of the various relevant parties. As far as the policy is concerned, the Government of Japan as a whole has comprehensively made a decision.

Arita, Nippon TV: Yesterday two ministers were replaced. At the Cabinet meeting, Cabinet ministers’ conference and other meetings this morning did Prime Minister Abe issue any instructions regarding the management of the Government? Or were any opinions and others put forward by Cabinet ministers?

Minister Kishida: My understanding is that at today’s Cabinet meeting the scheduled topics were discussed as planned. There were no special comments such as you suggest.

Makita, Kyodo: While the timing of the dispatch of the delegation to North Korea has not been decided, there have been some reports that it will leave on the 27th. Will it be roughly somewhere around that time?

Minister Kishida: At the current time various arrangements are being made. I am unaware of where the date of 27th came from. The arrangements are continuing and I imagine that various arrangements and communications are taking place, but I have not heard any specific details yet.

Matsumoto, Jiji Press: This morning an NSC nine ministers' meeting was held. Could you tell us what the agenda was or what decisions were made, if any?

Minister Kishida: The meeting was about South Sudan and PKO. I would like to refrain from commenting in detail, but I believe if there are any points that can be clarified they will be clarified by the Chief Cabinet Secretary.

Watanabe, Asahi Shimbun: My question concerns the UN General Assembly topic you mentioned in your opening remarks. The character of New Zealand’s proposal and Australia’s proposal differ somewhat, but this year also, Japan has endorsed both statements. Japan is in the position of being under the U.S. nuclear umbrella while being the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings. I would like to ask what your views are regarding the endorsement of these two statements once again by Japan as a nation.

Minister Kishida: Various discussions took place about participating in the statements last year too. The statements themselves represent a major aspiration for humanity. A world without nuclear weapons is a major aspiration, and as approaches to that, various approaches are acceptable. That is the gist of the statements. From that perspective, the statements remain consistent with various policies of Japan. The fact is that Japan participated in the statements last year based on this judgment, and decided to participate this year too.