Press Conferences

Arita, Nippon TV: What is the current situation regarding the coordination for holding a Japan-China-Republic of Korea Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting?

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Japan has always put importance on Japan-China-Republic of Korea Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meetings for advancing a trilateral relationship that is future-oriented. Currently coordination is moving forward, centering on the ROK which is the chair country, but at present details such as the schedule have not been decided. I continue to hope that positive efforts for holding the meeting will continue.

Arita, Nippon TV: Do you mean it has not been decided that the meeting will not take place this year?

Minister Kishida: I heard that no specific schedule has been set, including in regards to what you said.

Arita, Nippon TV: My question concerns the maritime communication mechanism. Has Japan received a specific answer from China in response to Japan’s invitation to hold working-level discussions?

Minister Kishida: Based on exchanges at the Japan-China Summit Meeting in November, we are in contact with the Chinese side regarding the maritime communication mechanism. No final decisions have been made on details such as the schedule. We intend to continue to make coordination.

Arita, Nippon TV: I have a question about the report on the investigation by the special investigation committee. Could you explain the current situation regarding such coordination?

Minister Kishida: We continue to strive to communicate with the North Korean side via the embassy route about the investigation by the special investigation committee, but at present no concrete notification is taking place. We by all means intend to continue requesting the North Korean side to carry out the investigation rapidly and report the findings promptly and honestly.

Yamamoto, Sankei Shimbun: I have a question about the documents refuting the Coomaraswamy report. Previously, at a Budget Committee meeting, you stated that the matter would be considered, including whether or not to publish the documents, and I would like to ask what stage those considerations are at, including whether or not the refuting documents will be released.

Minister Kishida: We are continuing to consider the issue you have referred to. Because this involves the handling of documents that are well over 10 years old, I want to consider it after carefully confirming issues such as the development of events at that time.

Yamamoto, Sankei Shimbun: I understand that calls for the documents to be released are mounting, including from within the Liberal Democratic Party, but at the present point in time, which option do you view as appropriate?

Minister Kishida: I am currently considering the matter. I am aware that various views exist, but I intend to continue to consider the matter, taking such views into account.

Makita, Kyodo Press: I realize that nothing has been decided finally regarding the working-level discussions on a maritime communication mechanism, but I imagine the schedule is starting to become quite tight. Do you foresee the discussions taking place in January next year or that sort of timing?

Minister Kishida: No specific schedule or forecast has been decided. Nevertheless, at the Japan-China Summit Meeting in November, the two leaders confirmed their intention to proactively work on the maritime communication mechanism, so I certainly believe we must move ahead with exploring the issue firmly at the working level. I recognize that we will have to confirm the schedule and make every effort to ensure this mechanism is properly managed.