Press Conferences

Kurihara, NHK: At a four-nation summit meeting on the Ukraine situation that took place yesterday, an agreement was once again reached on a ceasefire between the pro-Russian side and the Ukrainian side. What are your views on this?

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: A meeting between the leaders of four countries -- Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine -- took place over 16 hours from February 11 to 12, and I understand that they have reached an agreement on a ceasefire from February 15 as a result. I would like to welcome that this ceasefire agreement has been reached, and I certainly hope that the ceasefire will be firmly implemented so that the situation will settle down.

Furthermore, the Government of Japan intends to continue to encourage all the relevant parties to make efforts for a peaceful resolution.

Kurihara, NHK: What sort of impact do you think this will have on Japan’s policy on Russia, in particular your visit to Russia, which has been scheduled from last year, and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Japan?

Minister Kishida: Firstly, I intend to keep a close eye on issues such as the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. Also, regarding President Putin’s visit to Japan, there is an understanding between the two countries’ leaders that it will take place at an appropriate time this year, but I think this will have to be considered from here forward while comprehensively considering various factors, including progress with implementing the ceasefire agreement.

Kurihara, NHK: You mentioned considering the issue from here forward, but at the vice-ministerial level talks held yesterday, were there the same exchanges about this issue?

Minister Kishida: Regarding the vice-ministerial-level talks, at the Japan-Russia summit meeting held in Beijing in November last year it was agreed that President Putin will visit Japan at an appropriate time this year, and the vice-ministerial-level talks took place partly as a kind of follow-up to that. They exchanged views on the bilateral relationship and international affairs.

I understand that matters such as this Ukraine situation were discussed within the discussion on international affairs.

Kurihara, NHK: Changing the subject, there have been some reports about the North Korean abductions issue that have indicated the North Korean side is saying it wants to reopen formal discussions, possibly next month. Can you comment on whether this is accurate?

Minister Kishida: There have been various reports in various places since around yesterday, and I would like to refrain from commenting on reports individually. In any event, the Government of Japan intends to continue firmly asking the North Korean side to report the findings of the investigation by the special investigation committee promptly and honestly.

Kurihara, NHK: Formal discussions on the abductions issue have not taken place at all since last year. What is the Government of Japan’s view in terms of the stance on this?

Minister Kishida: We have urged North Korea to make reports promptly in various ways, and we intend to continue to lobby via the embassy route and other channels.

Matsumoto, Jiji Press: Last month U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice revealed that she has invited Prime Minister Abe to make an official visit to the U.S. If the visit to the U.S. by Prime Minister Abe is achieved, what significance does the Japanese side attach to it, and what expectations does the Japanese side have? Could you also explain what stage the discussions are at regarding the specific timing of the U.S. visit at the moment?

Minister Kishida: The specific schedule and others of the Prime Minister’s visit to the U.S. are still under coordination. It is undecided, but given that this year is a major milestone as the 70th anniversary since the end of World War II, and considering the recent security environment in the Asia-Pacific region and the various economic relationship between Japan and the U.S., a visit to the U.S. by the Prime Minister this year would represent an extremely significant visit, I believe. That is my expectation.

Suzuki, Mainichi Shimbun: I have a question concerning that. Ahead of the Japan-U.S. summit meeting, discussions on the Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation are also moving forward, but should a “2+2” meeting be held? What format do you view as desirable?

Minister Kishida: The “2+2” framework has existed between Japan and the U.S. up to now. The schedule and other details are not decided yet, but where the current review of the Guidelines is concerned, the debate will move ahead in the first half of this year. I expect that the approach to holding a “2+2” will also be considered while taking such a discussion into account.

Kanehira, TBS: I would like to ask about the order issued to a freelance journalist, Mr. Sugimoto, to return his passport. The Chief Cabinet Secretary stated that this was an exceptional measure in his press conference, but what part of it is exceptional?

Minister Kishida: As I have repeatedly stated, an order to return a passport must be considered very carefully as it pertains to constitutional freedom of travel and freedom of reporting.

The current case should be understood in the context that it occurred immediately after the murder of two Japanese nationals. In addition, ISIL has warned that it will murder more Japanese nationals. It happened in such a situation. Also, the person in question openly declared in public his intention to enter Syria. This was the situation for this case.

We made such a decision after carefully considering such various points. I consider that this is a decision that must be made on a case-by-case basis based on specific circumstances in each respective situation.

Kanehira, TBS: The order to return the passport was issued under the Minister’s name. When the order was communicated, according to Mr. Sugimoto there were also policemen in attendance. What was the reason for having policemen in attendance, rather than only staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

Minister Kishida: I am not aware of the specific details at that time. But it is my understanding that following Mr. Sugimoto’s publically stated intention to travel to Syria, various appeals were made to him to refrain from traveling by various related parties, in consideration of the current situation. I imagine it is related to this, but I (the Minister) am not aware of specifically who accompanied at that time.

Kanehira, TBS: Which of the articles has legal precedence over the other? Article 22 of the Constitution, which protects freedom of travel and freedom of movement, or Article 19 of the Passport Law?

Minister Kishida: In terms of which of the articles has legal precedence over the other, I believe that within the legal system, the Constitution should be the most respected. But I also consider that each decision is to be made individually within the legal system as a whole.