Press Conferences

Hashizume, TV Tokyo: A meeting with relevant ministers regarding Ebola just took place. Concerns are expressed about the danger of the infection spreading, but what sorts of things are being discussed specifically in terms of additional assistance?

Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida: Where additional assistance is concerned, the Government of Japan’s assistance has already been made clear to the international community by Prime Minister Abe at the time of the United Nations General Assembly and other occasions. However, the fight against Ebola is being waged by the international community at large, and given the severity of the current situation, it will be necessary to consider additional assistance measures, and the Government of Japan is in the process of making such considerations.

Hashizume, TV Tokyo: What response measures are there for a case in which a Japanese national overseas becomes infected?

Minister Kishida: If a Japanese patient surfaced overseas, such a case would involve a decision by doctors, as well as the wishes of the patient themselves, or the wishes of their family and others. Those views would have to be considered comprehensively. The government is currently in the process of coordinating with the relevant ministries and agencies to allow it to respond rapidly on that basis. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also in the process of preparing a concrete response. However, at the present stage I would like to refrain from prejudging and commenting on specifics. The current situation is that we are firmly aware of the issue and the Government as a whole is moving its responses ahead.

Hashizume, TV Tokyo: My question concerns the abductions issue. Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Junichi Ihara has arrived, but what have you heard regarding the current situation?

Minister Kishida: Director-General Ihara and the rest of the delegation arrived in Pyongyang yesterday, and I understand that a meeting with the North Korean side will begin this morning, in a short time. I have heard that the final coordination is currently being made.

Hashizume, TV Tokyo: Last night Minister Mochizuki urgently held a press conference regarding the problem of “politics and money.” He held the press conference ahead of reports due to appear this morning. As someone who belongs to the same political faction as Mochizuki, how do you feel about such problems surfacing?

Minister Kishida: I am aware that Minister Mochizuki held a press conference yesterday, and I have heard that he explained an issue relating to his own political funds at that press conference. My understanding is that Minister Mochizuki stepped forward and held a press conference regarding his own political funds issue, and explained it.

Kojima, NHK: My question concerns North Korea. You mentioned earlier that the final coordination is currently being made, but were you referring to the party the delegation will meet with?

Minister Kishida: We intend to have a person who assumes a responsible position in the Special Investigation Committee attend the meeting, where we will firmly convey Japan’s position. I understand that the final coordination is being made, including who the participants will be.