Press Conferences

Fujimura, Chugoku Shimbun: This Sunday will mark 61 years since the Bikini Atoll incident, when the Daigo Fukuryu Maru and other vessels were exposed to radiation in a hydrogen bomb test by the U.S. Last year the Republic of the Marshall Islands, where this test site was located, filed a lawsuit in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against nine countries, alleging that countries that possess nuclear weapons are failing to fulfill their nuclear disarmament obligations under Article 6 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and others. The Marshall Islands is also calling on Japan and other NPT member countries to join the lawsuit. How will the Government respond?

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I am aware that the Marshall Islands has filed a lawsuit in the ICJ, as you pointed out. However, in terms of how far along the lawsuit proceedings are, I understand a procedure involving documents relating to the jurisdictional authority issue is underway.

Consequently, I understand that this procedure involving documents relating to the jurisdictional authority is not even complete yet, so at the present stage the Government believes the question of whether Japan should become involved in this lawsuit is something that should be firmly decided on based on this lawsuit procedure and future developments. At the present point in time, I would like to refrain from commenting on how Japan might become involved and others.

Fujimura, Chugoku Shimbun: I would like to ask your way of thinking. Do you believe the realistic and practical approach that you often refer to includes advancing nuclear disarmament by taking a case to court?

Minister Kishida: Where this specific case is concerned, I believe I have to refrain from mentioning any concrete response, because it is at the stage I just mentioned.

In general terms, various cases exist. I believe we should consider what constitutes a realistic and practical approach for the Government in line with each specific case.

Nakagawa, Yomiuri Shimbun: My question concerns the Government of Japan’s independent sanctions against North Korea. Does the government intend to extend them?

Minister Kishida: Regarding the independent sanctions against North Korea, I understand that the time limit of the current sanctions will be approaching in April. Measures were taken that imposed a ban on the imports of all items from North Korea in 2006 and on the exports of all items to North Korea in 2009, respectively. In addition, a measure was taken in 2006 that banned the entry of all the North Korean vessels into Japanese ports. These measures taken against North Korea have been successively extended thus far, but I understand the current measures will run out in April this year.

At the present point in time I would like to refrain from prejudging what measures and responses may be taken from April. We intend to make a decision after comprehensively considering various circumstances surrounding North Korea.

Kamide, Freelance: I have two questions. The first concerns the Okinawa issue. As you know, the citizens of Okinawa Prefecture showed their decision in the Lower House election last year and the recent gubernatorial election, but the situation is proceeding following it. On the other hand, key Government officials including ministers have refused to meet with Governor Onaga. It has been suggested that in some respects this makes a mockery of democracy and the citizens of the prefecture. I would like to ask your views on this, and also, under what conditions you will meet Governor Onaga and what prospect there is of that happening.

Minister Kishida: Regarding the issue of meeting with Governor Onaga, the respective secretariats and others usually coordinate, when we meet with a governor. A meeting is confirmed once schedules have been reconciled. However, it has not been possible to confirm the date in the schedule adjustments and clerical coordination since the end of the year. As you know, a significant diplomatic incident also happened in January. Also, I believe it will be necessary to consider a meeting after careful coordination is made between the secretariats.

Kamide, Freelance: This is another question. Yesterday a panel of experts was launched concerning Prime Minister Abe’s statement marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. The key words in this regard are the colonial rule and aggression. The issue of whether or not these words will be retained or removed is attracting considerable attention abroad. There has also been some lobbying from overseas, but have there been any approaches from overseas regarding the issue, officially or unofficially, via diplomatic routes?

Minister Kishida: I am not aware of receiving any specific direct approaches regarding this.

Kusuki, Sankei Shimbun: When Mr. Hwang Joon-kook, the Republic of Korea’s chief delegate at the Six-Party Talks, visited Russia regarding North Korea, he seemed to state that a shared recognition to search for a kind of preliminary dialogue was beginning to be formed by five countries. Does Japan intend to align itself with such a move?

Minister Kishida: To begin with, I would like to refrain from commenting on specific exchanges relating to the Six-Party Talks or between the relevant countries. In any event, the Government of Japan’s position is that for the talks to be reopened, it is vital that North Korea takes concrete action toward denuclearization.

We are taking the position I have stated all along. I believe we must continue to demand to North Korea that Security Council resolutions and the Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks are implemented sincerely and fully, while continuing to work closely with the relevant countries.

Makita, Kyodo Press: The UN World Conference on Disaster Reduction will open from the 14th of next month. Could you let us know the prospects of participation by leaders or ministers from other countries at present? Also, it was reported that the minister in charge of disaster reduction will participate in the conference from the People’s Republic of China. How is the consideration on this going on?

Minister Kishida: I understand that coordination is still being made. Therefore, I consider that I must refrain from how many will attend the conference or who will come from which country. Still, as far as I have learned, leader-level officials from approximately 20 countries are considering their attendance while foreign ministers from around 10 countries are also considering their attendance. In addition, though it is less clear than the above, I learned that 50 or 60 ministers other than foreign ministers are considering their attendance. However, many countries are still considering their participation at present.

Though I will refrain from stating specific countries at this point in time, Prime Minister, I and other relevant ministers have called for participation by high-level officials, to other countries, because it is an important conference for deciding a new international framework for disaster reduction. Therefore, I expect participation from as many countries as possible.

Sugisaki, Asahi Shimbun: My question concerns TICAD. Since the last conference was held, it has been discussed that the conference be hosted by both Japan and Africa by rotation.According to a media report, it is being discussed that the conference will be held in Kenya next year. Could you tell us about the current condition of the discussion?

Minister Kishida: I understand that, as you mentioned, the hosting of the conference by both Japan and Africa by rotation is being discussed. However, I have not received a report recently on how far the discussion has moved. Therefore, I would like to check the current situation concerning your question once again.

Matsumoto, Jiji Press: My question is related to the relationship with Russia. What do you think about the current situation in Ukraine since the effectuation of a ceasefire agreement in eastern Ukraine? Do you recognize that the agreement has been steadily implemented? In addition, in terms of Japan-Russia relations, do you think an environment for President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Japan within the year is being prepared? I would also like to ask the current condition of coordination for his visit.

Minister Kishida: First of all, regarding the situation in Ukraine, I learned that actions are still continuing partially although a ceasefire agreement was concluded. I am concerned about the situation. I request relevant countries to make efforts for a peaceful and diplomatic solution of the situation and the Government of Japan would also like to make a contribution for the diplomatic and peaceful solution of the situation.

Regarding President Putin’s visit to Japan, leaders of both Japan and Russia have shared the view that the visit would be made at an appropriate time this year. However, nothing specific has been determined at present and I think such an issue should be considered on the basis of comprehensive decision on various issues.

Nakagawa, Yomiuri Shimbun: I would like to ask you two different questions. The first one is regarding the current condition of coordination for the date of the Japan-China-ROK trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting?

Minister Kishida: Concerning the Japan-China-ROK trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting, I understand that between the leaders of these three countries we have shared the view that the meeting would be held. The Government of Japan has also put importance on the framework of dialogues among Japan, China and the ROK to develop the relationship of the three countries in a future-oriented manner.

However, at present, I do not have confirmation on a determined specific schedule for the meeting. I think coordination is being made by the ROK, the chair of the meeting. I hope that a specific schedule will be confirmed by the ROK, the chair country and that dialogues will progress.

Nakagawa, Yomiuri Shimbun: My second question is a totally different one. A political donation to Mr. Yoshio Mochizuki, Minister of the Environment, has been reported by some media. Please tell us what you think as the leader of the Kochi Kai faction about the issue of the political donation to Minister Mochizuki, who is a member of the faction.

Minister Kishida: I am aware of the issue regarding the political fund of Minister Mochizuki through media reports. However, I do not thoroughly understand the details of the issue and I think that Minister Mochizuki will faithfully achieve accountability about it.

Nakagawa, Yomiuri Shimbun: Concerning this issue, has Minister Mochizuki made any report or given an explanation to you, the leader of the faction, since the issue was disclosed or you were aware of it?

Minister Kishida: I will refrain from stating the specific details of the dialogue with Minister Mochizuki on such an occasion here. In any event, I think Minister Mochizuki will firmly achieve accountability about it in the future.