Press Conferences

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: In response to the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in the ROK, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been establishing on-site response headquarters, providing the latest information, and issuing alerts.

We have also newly dispatched Professor Kaku Koki of the National Defense Medical College, a specialist in infectious diseases, to provide lectures locally at Japanese schools and to Japanese expats. Lectures started yesterday and will be held until June 13 in Seoul and Busan, with the objective of reducing the uneasiness of all Japanese nationals in these areas by providing them with accurate information.

The Government of the ROK and the World Health Organization (WHO) have been conducting a joint investigation and analysis since June 9. Based on its results, scheduled to be announced on June 13, we will consider additional responses.

Although attention is focused on the outbreak in the ROK, MERS was originally an infection that began and spread in the Middle East, and many cases of infection and fatalities have been reported there. Therefore, I think that not only in the ROK but anyone planning to travel to and spend time in the Middle East and those already there should take full precautions.

Yamaguchi, TV Tokyo: My question concerns MERS. I understand that you have opened an on-site response headquarters in Jeju. Will you also hold lectures there?

Minister Kishida: There are on-site response headquarters at two locations, our Embassy and at our Consulate in Busan…

Official: An on-site response headquarters was also established in Jeju.

Minister Kishida: We have opened on-site response headquarters in Jeju. However, it was reported to me that lectures are scheduled to be held only in Seoul and Busan.

Yamaguchi, TV Tokyo: Yesterday, the Japan-ROK Director-General level talks were held. I would like to ask about its outcome and the coordination for the visit to Japan of Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se.

Minister Kishida: The Japan-ROK Director-General level talks were held during the morning of June 11. Mr. Junichi Ihara, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau; and Mr. Lee Sang-deok, Director-General for Northeast Asian Affairs, held wide-ranging talks on the various issues that exist between Japan and the ROK. They agreed to continue to discuss these various issues, but I understand that the schedule for when the next round of talks will be held is to be discussed in the near future.

It was reported to me that the respective diplomatic authorities are continuing to discuss who will attend the events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the ROK, including the visit of Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se. Nothing has been decided at the current point in time.

Yamaguchi, TV Tokyo: May I ask whether the respective leaders of Japan and the ROK will attend these ceremonies?

Minister Kishida: Discussions are ongoing about who will attend, and nothing has been decided at the current point in time.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: Related to the last question, do you think that you yourself, Minister Kishida, will attend the ceremonies?

Minister Kishida: The ceremonies and other commemorative events will be taking place in both Tokyo and Seoul. It has been reported to me that discussions are underway from the perspective of determining who will attend each of these respective events. It is my understanding that presently, nothing specific has been decided on who will attend.

Nakagawa, Yomiuri Shimbun: The ROK side is making resolution of the comfort women issue a premise for a summit meeting. I realize that the Government of Japan has been repeatedly explaining its position and seeking the understanding of the ROK side up to now, but what sort of response was there at yesterday’s Director-General level talks? Did the ROK side understand Japan’s position?

Minister Kishida: At yesterday’s Japan-ROK Director-General level talks, discussions were held on a broad range of subjects. Matters of interest to each side were discussed, including the issue of tougher import restrictions on Japanese fishery products. I received a report that as part of that, the comfort women issue was also discussed. However, at present, I would refrain from commenting on what sort of exchanges took place in the course of that discussion.

In any event, where the Government of Japan’s position on the history issue is concerned, including the comfort women issue, we have been explaining Japan’s stance to the ROK thus far also, and Japan has made responses too. We intend to continue to explain Japan’s position and views to the ROK in this way to obtain its understanding.