Press Conferences

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: The topic of the Ise-Shima Summit was taken up at today’s Cabinet meeting. I understand that there will be an overall explanation about this matter from the Chief Cabinet Secretary later; but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to undertake various preparations to ensure that all possible measures are taken in organizing the Ise-Shima Summit. To that end, today we have established the Liaison Meeting for the Ise-Shima Summit under me, the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Additionally, I hope to introduce the topics related to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs discussed at today’s Cabinet meeting. The Prime Minister stated that a Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held in Hiroshima.

Hiroshima City possesses a beautiful natural environment surrounded by mountains and the sea, a rich culture, and a long history. Furthermore, having risen again from the atomic bombing, it is a symbol of hope and peace. And so as Minister, I too believe that the city is an appropriate venue, as a place where the foreign ministers of the world’s major countries can speak their minds, hold frank discussions, and express their views on global peace and prosperity and their hopes for the future.

MOFA will coordinate with the relevant agencies and ministries, as well as the local governments of the venues, including Mie Prefecture, Hiroshima Prefecture, and Hiroshima City, and make every effort to ensure the success of the Summit, including the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Fukai, TBS: Regarding Japan and the ROK, yesterday Mr. Yun Byung-se, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the ROK, commented to the effect that it will be good if a Japan-ROK Summit Meeting takes place on the sidelines of the Japan-China-ROK Summit Meeting. Do you believe it is desirable to use that opportunity to hold the summit?

Minister Kishida: I understand that no concrete schedule has been decided regarding a Japan-China-ROK Summit Meeting or a Japan-ROK Summit Meeting. But Japan has consistently insisted that the door for dialogue is always open, and we have always stated that importance should be attached to this sort of dialogue and to opportunities for communication.

I believe that it is desirable to have opportunities for dialogue such as this by taking advantage of various opportunities.

Fukai, TBS: Regarding Japan and North Korea, the deadline of one year is approaching on July 4. As Minister, do you view July 4 as the date for the deadline of one year, or do you take the deadline to be somewhat broader?

Minister Kishida: In any event, I am aware that concrete deadline has not been established. I know that in September last year the North Korean side also commented that the investigation would take about a year.

Under these circumstances, where the outcome of this investigation is concerned, Japan has been asking North Korea to rapidly carry out the investigation from the outset, and to promptly and honestly report its findings to Japan. I certainly expect the North Korean side to make a positive and constructive response quickly, and I intend to continue to urge them.

Makita, Kyodo Press: Yesterday, in a meeting of young members of the Liberal Democratic Party, there were comments that with regards to the reporting on security legislation, pressures should be applied to sponsors and media reporting should be regulated. Following this, Representative Kozo Yamamoto made critical remarks about the extension of the Diet session. How do you view these two remarks?

Minister Kishida: I am aware that there were media reports about the remarks at the study meeting by some young members, but as I was not present, I don’t know what exactly was said. Therefore, I think I should refrain from making concrete comments on them. But whatever was said, I believe the importance of freedom of the press. With regards to the remarks of Representative Kozo Yamamoto, I was present when he made them.

I believe various remarks, opinions, and free speech should be respected. But in any case, I think that we should make careful discussion on peace and security legislation while listening to these various opinions.

Miyao, Chunichi Shimbun: It has been reported that in the negotiations on the nuclear cooperation with India, Japan will grant comprehensive prior approval for reprocessing. Is this correct?

Minister Kishida: I have not heard anything about that.