Press Conferences

Harada, Hokkaido Shimbun: My question concerns the fishing boat from Hokkaido that was seized by the Russian authorities. Can you please tell us the current situation, the relevant facts as understood by the Government of Japan, your reaction to this incident, and what Japan’s response will be going forward?

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: First, as you noted, on July 17 off the coast of Nemuro, a patrol boat belonging to the Russian border authorities seized the Japanese fishing boat, No.10 Hokomaru, on suspicion of exceeding fishing quotas. My understanding is that subsequently it was taken to Hurukamappu on Kunashiri Island and it is currently moored in the waters off Hurukamappu.

Based on this situation, on July 18, through communication between Tokyo and Moscow via diplomatic channels, we expressed that we do not accept the seizure of Japanese fishing boats around the Northern Territories; and, from this perspective as well as from a humanitarian perspective, requested the release of the crew and the vessel as soon as possible. We will continue to request the Russian side to release the crew and the vessel as soon as possible.

That’s all at the current time.

Harada, Hokkaido Shimbun: Can you tell us your reaction to the news of the seizure, such as regret? May I ask about this?

Minister Kishida: As I just stated, Japan does not accept the seizure of its fishing vessels in the waters around the Northern Territories. From this perspective and further from a humanitarian perspective, we have strongly requested the return of the crew and vessel.

Ishii, Jiji Press: I have a related question. I heard that yesterday, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation commented that Japan's driftnet fishing industry has done enormous damage to traditional fishing grounds. What is the response of the Government of Japan to this claim?

Minister Kishida: First, I am aware of the reports of the comments that you referred to. I also think it is extremely unfortunate that a bill to prohibit driftnet fishing in Russian waters has been passed. But we have confirmed with the Russian side that the fishing of salmon and trout originating from Russia in waters 200 nautical miles from Japan will be continued as in the past based on the Japan-Russia Salmon and Trout Agreement. The Government of Japan will continue to respond appropriately to cooperation with Russia in the fisheries field, including cooperation based upon this Agreement.

Kamide, Freelance: My question relates to the discussion on the series of security legislation. I would like to ask about conscription, since it is already being taken up in the Diet.

In reality, it is very difficult to imagine a conscription system being put into operation; but in recent opinion polls, amid opposition to the security bills, it appears that among young mothers with children in particular, there is a vague sense of foreboding.

Thus far, the Government and Prime Minister Abe have been clearly stating that conscription will not occur, and that it violates the constitution; and have been citing Article 18 of the Constitution, which bans involuntary servitude, as evidence. Even so, Article 9 should be the real ground that it violates the Constitution; but the fact is that Article 9 allows the Self-Defense Forces, so it is not possible to use this as ground. Article 18’s ban on involuntary servitude is being cited out of desperation. Mr. Shigeru Ishiba has been saying that this is a little strange for some time. I would like to ask if you also believe this ban on involuntary servitude is the ground that Japan will not adopt conscription in the future also.

Recently, despite suggestions that the right of collective self-defense also violates the Constitution, in reality, such an interpretation was made. Even when other countries’ examples are considered, there are various approaches to conscription. In some cases the approach is to link it to a voluntary system, and the fact is that within the Liberal Democratic Party’s own draft, this is being cited in regards to the importance of national defense. Is there no possibility this position will change in the future either, or is this the explanation of the Abe Administration alone? Could you go through these issues once again, please?

Minister Kishida: Regarding the issue of conscription that you raised, as the Government has explained, I do not believe it would be permitted under the Constitution.

You also asked about the way of explanation and reasoning; but as the relevant Cabinet ministers, including the Prime Minister, have repeatedly explained at the Diet committees and so on, conscription is not permitted in connection with Article 18 about involuntary servitude.

The relevant Cabinet ministers concur regarding this explanation of the Government. I understand there is concurrence within the Government, and a consistent explanation is being made. I share that view also.

Odanaka, Mainichi Shimbun: A weekend public opinion survey conducted by my company indicated that the Cabinet support rate has fallen to 35%, and the disapproval rate accounts for the majority, at 51%.

In light of that, with regard to the security legislation, in the course of the Diet’s discussion of the legislation there has been further opposition; or rather, opposition to the passage of the legislation in the current Diet session is growing. I would like to ask how you view this situation.

Minister Kishida: I believe the Government must take the results of the various public opinion surveys seriously. However, amid the extremely severe security environment surrounding Japan, the Government must first strive to create a desirable international environment through diplomacy, but will also establish a seamless security framework to prepare for unlikely events. I believe this is an important initiative.

In addition, no nation can maintain its own peace and security alone. Amid this common awareness in the international community, Japan must contribute seriously to the peace and stability of the international community. Doing so will also lead to Japan’s peace and stability. I believe it is extremely important to undertake international contribution based on this concept.

The Government must protect the lives and livelihoods of citizens. I believe this is an extremely important duty, and the Legislation for Peace and Security is for that purpose. 116 hours of discussions were held in the House of Representatives, and discussions will now begin in the House of Councilors. I intend to continue to strive to explain this matter carefully, with humility, and in an easy-to-understand way.

Kurihara, NHK: In addition to the seizure of the Hokkaido salmon and trout fishing vessel mentioned earlier, Russia’s Minister of Health visited a hospital and other facilities on Shikotan Island this weekend. While one the one hand, such visits continue to be incompatible with the position of the Government of Japan, on the other hand I imagine that both Japan and Russia continue to aim to arrange for President Putin’s visit to Japan later this year; or alternatively your visit, Minister Kishida, to Russia, in the near future. Do you think these sorts of incidents and visits will affect the exchange of high-level members of government between the two countries?

Minister Kishida: First, to discuss the matter in general terms, I consider that a visit to the Northern Territories by a Russian government official is incompatible with the position of Japan on the territorial issue. But regarding President Putin’s visit to Japan, there has been no change to the policy of considering it by taking into account the state of preparation as well as by comprehensively reviewing various elements. And as a preparatory stage, my visit to Russia as the Minister for Foreign Affairs is being considered, but nothing has been decided yet. This is the situation at the current time.

Kuronuma, Nikkei Shimbun: My question concerns the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). A decision was made that the next conference will be hosted by Kenya. I think coordination between African nations and Japan will accelerate further, as growth of African countries is expected. What do you expect for the TICAD next year?

Minister Kishida: First of all, regarding the TICAD host country decision—although I think I have stated this before—my understanding is that through negotiations between Kenya and Gambia, two candidates to host the next TICAD, they reached an agreement on July 15—16 JST—that Kenya would host the next TICAD. The host country will be officially determined once an agreement is made among the TICAD co-host countries through prompt deliberations.

Africa is achieving high economic growth, thanks to its rich resources and expanding market; yet, it still has many challenges to face. The next TICAD will be held in Africa for the first time. I would like to make this an opportunity to let African people know about Japan’s unique contribution in areas such as high-quality growth, human security, utilization of high technology, and human resource development.

Kamide, Freelance: This issue emerged in the Diet, but in connection with the security legislation, it has emerged that events that occurred at the time of the previous Iraq War were masked. It is being said that even Samawah and other locations were quite dangerous. This verification of Iraq and verification of the Iraq War is being properly undertaken by the Netherlands, the U.K., and other countries, but Japan has yet to do it properly. I think this is a very important issue, but does the Government intend to do this properly in the future?

Minister Kishida: Where verification in Iraq is concerned, first of all, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already undertaken a verification of the policymaking process and announced the overview of it. The point that you raise relates to the document concerning the activities of the Self-Defense Forces, I believe.

Regarding this, I believe it will be dealt with appropriately by the Ministry of Defense through a discussion at a committee. As I recall, the committee was to comply with the instructions of the administrative board. That is how it will be performed, I believe.