Press Conferences

Kubota, TBS: To begin with, as this is your first (press conference) following the election, I would like to ask your impressions looking back on the election campaign.

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: This was the 47th House of Representatives election, and we were being plunged into the election race in the midst of extremely sudden developments in the process leading up to the election. That was the situation. I view this election as an election that put the government and the ruling parties’ initiatives over the past two years, including economic initiatives, to the test. We appealed in such a way, and I felt strong feedback while campaigning around nationwide.

The outcome was that the ruling parties won many seats, which I believe shows that many voters viewed the matters that we advocated positively.

Kubota, TBS: On the other hand, the Liberal Democratic Party suffered a complete defeat in Okinawa, which I think could be seen as an indication of public opinion opposed to the relocation of Futenma Air Station to the Henoko district. What are your views on approaches to the bases?

Minister Kishida: The outcome in the Okinawa electoral districts was extremely regrettable, but I believe the election result must be viewed seriously.

However, the Government shares with the local residents the recognition that we should remove the danger of Futenma Air Station and it must be removed as soon as possible. And I think the view held by Government has not changed, that is, the only option for eliminating the danger of Futenma Air Station as soon as possible is to relocate it to Henoko, has not changed, I believe. I believe we will have to move ahead with mitigating Okinawa’s burden, providing careful and thorough explanations.

Kubota, TBS: There was an election, and there were a number of diplomatic challenges in the run-up to the end of the year. One thing I would like to confirm concerns the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation. I think the Government was aiming to review the Guidelines within this year, but am I correct in understanding that this will be officially postponed?

Minister Kishida: No, there is no truth whatsoever to the idea that the review of the Guidelines has been put off. I am aware that the work is moving ahead currently.

Kubota, TBS: I believe the aim was to hold a Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting by the end of the year, with the ROK playing a coordinating role, but what is the state of that coordination subsequently?

Minister Kishida: I have heard that as nothing has been decided yet regarding a Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The Government of Japan has always viewed Japan-China-ROK frameworks as important, and from the standpoint of advocating the importance of dialogue we have attached importance to Japan-China-ROK frameworks and Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meetings. I by all means hope that we continue to see a positive response.

Kubota, TBS: My question concerns the abductions issue. The Chief Cabinet Secretary has said that it is common-sense if an answer is received from North Korea by the end of the year. What is the status of the coordination since then?

Minister Kishida: Japan has continued to request that North Korea notify its investigation findings promptly, with integrity, and fully. At this moment in time, nothing has been decided. We will continue to make persistent requests with regard to North Korea’s report. The Japanese Government will continue to work on the abductions issue, positioning it as a top priority.

Kubota, TBS: Are you saying that we could see the three things I just asked about by the end of the year?

Minister Kishida: We are continuing to make requests and proceed with the relevant work.

Kubota, TBS: A hostage incident has occurred in Sydney. While there is no news about the involvement of Japanese nationals, can you please share the position and views of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

Minister Kishida: First of all, the incident itself was an intolerable act that involved innocent people. We think that we must condemn the act in the strongest terms. I would like to express my deepest condolences to the victims. I would also like to pray for the recovery of those injured as soon as possible. The Japanese Government will strengthen its solidarity with Australia, which is committed to the realization of a peaceful and generous society.

I understand that all hostages have been identified, and as you stated, it has been confirmed that Japanese nationals were not among the hostages.

Fujimura, Chugoku Shimbun: My question is related to last week’s Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons. When an opinion was expressed that a nuclear weapon detonation would have catastrophic consequences at a scale that cannot be addressed　 during the discussions at the conference, the Japanese Government delegate Ambassador Sano responded that this was a little too pessimistic. Does the Japanese Government share Ambassador Sano’s opinion? The Ambassador’s remark, which was made on behalf of a country that suffered atomic bombings, has drawn protests from atomic bomb survivors. They say that the Ambassador has spoiled the nuclear disarmament effort and marginalized the scale of nuclear damages. Can you please share your comments?

Minister Kishida: With regard to the matter you referred to, the view and position of Japan is that any situation in the future where nuclear weapons are used again, which could cause catastrophic damage to mankind, must never happen. With respect to the remark you referred to, it is regrettable that it ended up causing misunderstanding. I have told Ambassador Sano to take utmost care of his own remarks.

Japan will continue to proactively engage in realistic and practical efforts to achieve a world without nuclear weapons.