Press Conferences

Nakagawa, Yomiuri Shimbun: Yesterday, in a lecture given to Sophia University students, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Shinsuke Sugiyama stated that concerning Japan-ROK relations, it is hoped that the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting will take place in the early fall. Minister Kishida, can you tell us if you think if it is possible to realize this schedule?

Minister Kishida: With regards to the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting, as was agreed upon at the recent Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, it was confirmed that we will work together with the ROK to ensure the Summit takes place at an appropriate time. At the current stage, nothing has been decided as to when the Summit will take place; and I believe we will continue to make efforts to have it at an appropriate time.

Alexandre, Russian Federal Government Newspaper: My question concerns the Minister’s visit to Moscow. According to reports by the Japanese media, there is a possibility that you, Minister Kishida, will visit Moscow in August this year. Is that true?

Minister Kishida: First, the leaders of Japan and Russia have agreed to realize President Putin’s visit to Japan during this year. It was also considered that Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs would visit Russia, which could also be used as part of preparation for President Putin’s visit.

However, the current situation is that nothing has been decided with regards to the specific schedules for the visit to Russia of Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and President Putin’s visit to Japan, and also whether any proposed schedules can be realized. We will continue to consider schedules while comprehensively reviewing a variety of points. So at the current point in time, nothing has been decided about when I, as Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, will visit Russia.

Fujimura, Chugoku Shimbun: My question concerns the Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI) being led by Japan and Australia. An agreement was not reached on the final document submitted by the NPDI at the NPT Review Conference last month, but I think to a certain extent it was a positive outcome for Japan, as many of its claims were included. But in terms of NDPI activities going forward, although I imagine that you were aiming for this 2015 NPT Review Conference, may I ask what developments are being considered for the future?

Minister Kishida: While this year’s NPT Review Conference has been completed, we must continue to strive firmly toward the major goal of aiming a world without nuclear weapons. Japan must lead international opinion as the only country to have experienced the devastation of atomic bombings. Toward this, I recognize that NPDI activities will continue to be a basis and center of Japan’s engagements.

From the beginning, Japan and Australia have been at the center of the NPDI’s activities, and while being non-nuclear weapon states, we are working toward the goal of a world without nuclear weapons. I believe this framework to be an extremely important one and that it has demonstrated its presence up to the present. Going forward, I believe that Japan will continue to value this important NPDI framework, cooperate with the related countries, and make efforts toward the major goal of a world without nuclear weapons.

Ueno, Tokyo Shimbun: I have a question related to the peace and security legislation. Tomorrow, it will be one year to the day from the Cabinet decision to reinterpret the Constitution. Since then, the Government has been making efforts to promote thorough understanding on the part of the citizens through such means as deliberations on the peace and security legislation. However, looking at public opinion polls and the like, it appears that it cannot be said there is sufficient understanding on the part of the citizens. Could you give us your impressions looking back on the past year, and tell us how you intend to tackle the matter going forward?

Minister Kishida: First of all, the purpose of the peace and security legislation is to protect the lives and the peaceful livelihood of the citizens. It is my understanding that protecting the lives and the peaceful livelihood of the citizens is a very important matter for government, as well as politics.

I believe that this legislation, whose purpose is to protect the lives and the livelihood of the citizens, is very important. I am also aware that it is very important to first and foremost secure the understanding of the citizens. The Diet session has been extended, and I will strive to garner the understanding of the citizens through the deliberations in the Diet.

Deliberations in the Diet are still only halfway through, so it is my intention to continue to strive to continue to conduct thorough discussions and gain the understanding of the citizens.

Nanjo, Sankei Shimbun: I would like to ask about North Korea. Tomorrow marks the beginning of July, and I imagine to a certain extent there was a shared awareness between the two governments that the goal was to report the results of the reinvestigation then. As Minister, what is your impression of North Korea, which after a year has passed is not showing a sincere response in the form of an initial report?

Minister Kishida: In Stockholm in May last year, Japan and North Korea made discussions and reached an agreement. As a result of that, a special investigation committee was set up to undertake an investigation into all the Japanese people concerned, including victims of abduction, and the investigation began.

Where the investigation period is concerned, in September last year the North Korean side explained that in proceeding with the special investigation committee’s investigation, it is aiming of doing investigation overall around one year.

The fact is that we received an explanation from the North Korean side that overall, their aim is around a year, but that explanation is as far as things go. We do not think there is an agreement on a concrete deadline for the investigation between Japan and North Korea.

Obviously, the Abe Administration believes that the highest priority issue is the abductions issue. Where the investigation is concerned, we must also continue strongly urging the North Korean side to promptly undertake the investigation, and to report those findings to Japan promptly and honestly. While adhering to the principles of “dialogue and pressure” and “action for action,” I intend to continue to make every effort to get all the victims of abduction returned to Japan.

Kurihara, NHK: I would like to ask a related question. Recently the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) recommended that, because one year is approaching soon, some sanctions should be imposed or increased again. Just now, you said you will respond using action for action and dialogue and pressure, so how do you intend to respond to this?

Minister Kishida: As you mentioned, the other day I received a request from the LDP. With regard to actions against North Korea, up to now we have continued tirelessly reviewing what will be effective in eliciting positive and concrete responses from the North Korean side in order to resolve the outstanding issues of concern. Having received this request, I intend to continue reviewing responses while also referring to this request.

I intend to continue to attach importance to this position, and hope to continue with efforts to get all the victims of abduction returned to Japan.

Fukai, TBS: Minister, earlier you stated that you do not believe there is a concrete deadline for North Korea. But amid there seeming to be no report forthcoming from North Korea, do you intend to notify the North Korean side once again to make its report by a certain specific time?

Minister Kishida: As I said earlier, we received an explanation from the North Korean side that their aim is around one year overall, and that the fact is there is no concrete deadline. However, where the special investigation committee’s investigation is concerned, I strongly believe that we must receive a report promptly and honestly. We are continuing to strive to communicate with the North Korean side through channels such as via embassies in Beijing. I believe we must continue firmly conveying the Government of Japan’s position and requests through those channels.

Ueno, Tokyo Shimbun: Minister, to change the subject, in a post-Cabinet meeting press conference last week, I asked a question concerning the negotiations with India on a nuclear agreement, to which you responded that you were not aware at all about a news report that the Government of Japan would grant comprehensive prior approval for reprocessing. Given that India is not a party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), is it the policy of the Government of Japan to refrain from concluding an agreement unless a restraint is secured so that India does not convert the plutonium to military use?

Minister Kishida: We have been conducting exchange of opinions and seeking communications on issues including a nuclear agreement with India in various venues for a while. I expect that such consultations will continue in the future. It is my understanding that nothing substantive has been identified or agreed upon as of now with regard to the matters that you indicated. As you say, India is not within the overarching NPT system; but we must have its willing cooperation for the overarching desires concerning disarmament and non-proliferation. I firmly intend to continue consultations with that thought on my mind.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: My question concerns North Korea. Earlier, you mentioned that you continue to strive to communicate through channels such as via embassies in Beijing; but have you received any kind of response from the North Korean side to the requests from Japan, or is it a situation in which Japan is repeating its requests without any response?

Minister Kishida: A variety of exchanges are taking place, but at present I would like to refrain from outlining specific responses. I intend to seek the report of concrete investigative findings.