Press Conferences

Konno, Asahi Shimbun: At an Cabinet meeting being held extraordinarily in a short time today, a Cabinet decision on a series of security bills will be made, I believe. As a result of this, and due also to the recent Guideline agreement, the activities of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and the United States military will become very integrated. Together with the elimination of geographic limitations, this will have the advantage of greatly expanding Japan’s role on the one hand, but there are also concerns that it may mean Japan becomes embroiled in U.S. wars. I would like to ask what your views are on these various arguments concerning the pros and the cons.

Mr. Yasuhide Nakayama, State Minister for Foreign Affairs: As you mentioned in your question now, a Cabinet decision on security legislation will be made today, as you all undoubtedly know. The extraordinary Cabinet meeting will be held at 4:40 p.m., and the Prime Minister’s press conference will be held at 6:00 p.m., and so I am sure all of you will be paying attention to those events.

The Government of Japan, in consultation with the ruling parties, has been developing security legislation thus far, and I understand that approval was also granted in the ruling party process today.

Since it is still prior to the Cabinet meeting taking place and the Cabinet decision on the bills has not been made yet, I intend to refrain from commenting on behalf of the Government. However, from a personal standpoint, I view protecting the lives, assets and peaceful lifestyles of Japanese citizens as an important duty of the Government of Japan.

Makita, Kyodo Press: I am Makita from Kyodo Press. In connection with the listing of sites of Japan’s Meiji era Industrial Revolution, the Republic of Korea opposes against Japan’s Meiji era Industrial Revolution heritage that have been recommended by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). I would like to hear once again the thoughts of the Government of Japan and how it will deal with this.

State Minister Nakayama: As you may know well, the Government of Japan has mentioned that the period covered by the sites is from the 1850s to 1910 and this differs in terms of the period covered by the so-called “requisition of civilians” from the Korean Peninsula, its historical status, and its background as well.

We recognize that the sites have been recommended based on their outstanding universal values as industrial heritage from the 1850s to 1910.

The ICOMOS recently advised that the sites should be listed. This proves that the sites are recognized as valuable ones and I believe it is an honor for us.

We expect that the World Heritage Committee will respect the advice from ICOMOS and the case recommended by the Government of Japan will be deliberated from a technical and specialized perspective.

At the same time, the Government of Japan will continue its efforts for obtaining understanding from member countries of the World Heritage Committee, including the ROK, at the World Heritage Committee so that the deliberation and decision will be made from a technical and specialized perspective.

We intend to make efforts to obtain the understanding of the World Heritage Committee countries including the ROK so that the ICOMOS advice that the sites are appropriate for at the World Heritage will be respected and a decision will be made according to the advice.

Kojima, NHK: Regarding what was just mentioned, while you stated that the Government will make efforts for obtaining understanding from the Committee countries including the ROK, some participants of the international committee on information study of the Liberal Democratic Party expressed their opinions at the meeting held today that Japan should assert its legitimacy more. In response, could you tell us specifically how you will obtain their understanding and whether Minister yourself intend to make opportunities for that purpose?

State Minister Nakayama: First of all, I know that the international committee on information study was held at the headquarters of the LDP this morning from 8 a.m. I recognize that the international committee on information study discusses issues from a perspective of transmission of information of Japan to abroad, the committee and LDP members contribute and provide support including the budget for public relations based on discussions inside the party.

I was also a member of the committee before being appointed as the State Minister. At the same time, as I have stated, the entire Government, including the Cabinet Secretariat, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Agency for Cultural Affairs will provide sufficient explanation to the World Heritage Committee countries including the ROK and obtain their understanding as one. If both ruling and opposing parties including the Diet Affairs Committee give their understanding and permission, I believe it is natural for me to work for the purpose, considering the current position I am in.

Nakagawa, Yomiuri Shimbun: My question is related to the question by NHK. Could you tell us if you have any plans to, for example, visit a country to seek their understanding, if any of the State Ministers, Parliamentary Vice-Ministers, or officials of MOFA have a plan to visit some countries to directly work with, for example, a committee country, or if there is any result of such activities?

State Minister Nakayama: I know that NHK, whose reporter asked me a question previously, made a report in which information concerning Mr. Minoru Kiuchi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, and myself was reported.

The purpose of Mr. Kiuchi’s trip is, as already disclosed, to exchange opinions concerning bilateral relations with the government officials.

As for myself, as I have stated, if circumstances allow, I am scheduled to make a trip to Jamaica for the purpose of issues including this one.

Nanjo, Sankei Shimbun: This question concerns the Northern Territories. Due to circumstances on the Russian side exchanges without visas are to be halted, but how will the Ministry of Foreign Affairs respond?

State Minister Nakayama: On the evening of May 13 we were informed by the Russian side that four islands exchanges from May 15 to 18 and free visitation from May 19 to 22 cannot be implemented because internal coordination of the Russian side have not been completed. In response to this, as a result of coordination carried out by the Cabinet Office and an implementing organization, the conclusion was reached that these two programs would have to be halted.

The Government of Japan finds it highly regrettable that despite the coordination it had been undertaking up to now to diligently implement these programs, the programs have had to be halted as a result of internal circumstances on the Russian side.

Also, the Government intends to diligently coordinate to ensure it is possible to implement the four islands exchange programs as scheduled from late May.