Press Conferences

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: On this occasion, accompanying the launch of the third reshuffled Abe Cabinet, I am to continue to serve as Minister for Foreign Affairs. I am looking forward to working with you.

I was first appointed as Minister for Foreign Affairs in December 2012. Two years and nine months have passed since then, and over that period I have visited 57 countries and regions and have advanced diplomacy that takes a panoramic perspective of the world map. As a result, it has been possible to further strengthen Japan’s relationship of trust with other countries, I believe. I also believe it has been possible to produce diplomatic achievements that include enhancing Japan’s presence in the international community.

At this year’s ordinary session of the Diet, the Legislation for Peace and Security was enacted after 216 hours of Diet deliberations. I believe we have been able to prepare legislation that is vital not only for protecting the lives and peaceful livelihoods of Japanese citizens, but also for putting into practice the policy of “Proactive Contribution to Peace” based on the principle of international cooperation that is advocated by the Abe Cabinet.

In regard to the future, with these achievements as the foundation, I hope to continue to work in particular on the three pillars of Japanese diplomacy that I have been advocating so far. That is, first, strengthen the United States-Japan Alliance; second, strengthen relations with neighboring countries; and third, further develop economic diplomacy that contributes to the reviving of the Japanese economy.

And in order to realize these three pillars, I intend to focus my efforts, in particular on proactively utilizing the following three precious opportunities.

To begin with, the first is the opportunity, the chance in other words, that Japan will have the presidency of G7. In April next year the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held in my hometown of Hiroshima, and the Ise-Shima Summit will be held in May. This G7 Summit is held once every seven years in Japan. Given that the major changes have been taking place in the security environment in the Asia-Pacific region, as the chair country Japan will lead the discussion on peace and prosperity in this region and the world, and I intend to communicate Japan’s position to the world.

And the second is the opportunity presented by the agreement in principle on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The new trade rules that have been agreed upon by 12 countries that share fundamental values have enormous strategic significance in terms of vitalizing Asia, which is undergoing remarkable growth, and reinvigorating the Japanese economy. In addition to pursuing the early conclusion of the TPP, I intend to do my utmost to promptly conclude Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) such as the Japan-European Union EPA, and advance economic diplomacy, including infrastructure exports.

The third opportunity is strengthening dialogue with neighboring countries. It is a fact is that China and the Republic of Korea are Japan’s neighbors and there are difficult challenges because they are Japan’s neighbors. However, I believe that following two Summit Meetings, the relationship between Japan and China is improving. I intend to strengthen the strategic beneficial relationship by strengthening dialogue at various levels, while asserting matters that should be asserted. Additionally, along with making an effort to hold a Japan-China-ROK Summit, I also intend to work on building a future-oriented relationship between Japan and the ROK.

Furthermore, based on the achievements of my recent visit to Russia, while moving to ensure that Japan-Russia relations contribute to our national interests, I also hope to strengthen cooperation with regions and countries such as Australia, India and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states.

In regard to North Korea, I intend to do my utmost to resolve outstanding issues of concern such as the abductions, nuclear and missile issues.

In this way, while valuing the relationships of trust and the bonds that I have formed with foreign ministers in countries worldwide thus far, I hope to steadily bring about diplomatic achievements that promote Japan’s national interests.

I ask for your continued guidance.

That concludes my opening remarks.

Fujimura, Chugoku Shimbun: My question concerns disarmament and non-proliferation, into which you have devoted your energies, Minister. I would like to ask what measures you plan to take to tackle these issues in the future and what is the outlook for them?

Minister Kishida: With regards to disarmament and non-proliferation, first of all, as this year marks the major milestone of the 70th year since the atomic bombings, I think we must firmly maintain into the next year the momentum that has built up during this year for the ideas of disarmament and non-proliferation.

We held very extensive discussions in the five-yearly Review Conference for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) that was held in May of this year, but unfortunately we were not able to adopt the final agreement document. However, following the accumulation of these discussions, in September Japan was appointed chair country of the Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT. I believe that Japan must firmly take the lead in these discussions from this position and as the only country to have experienced the devastation of atomic bombings, and that we must strive for the adoption of a new United Nations resolution.

Next year, as the President of G7, I believe Japan should firmly connect the momentum for disarmament and non-proliferation to these sorts of discussions. Among various Ministers’ Meetings, the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting especially plays a major role for diplomacy and security, and this meeting will be held in Hiroshima. Bearing this meeting in mind, I hope that as the only country to have experienced the devastation of atomic bombings we must work in order to take a realistic and concrete step forward toward realizing a world without nuclear weapons.

Makita, Kyodo Press: I would like to ask about the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting you mentioned a moment ago. Up to the present time, Japan has called on world leaders to visit the sites of the atomic bombing. I would like to ask that when you hold this meeting, will you, as the Minister, invite the foreign ministers of countries that possess nuclear weapons, such as the United States and France, to visit facilities like the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome?

Minister Kishida: Our goal is to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and we cannot achieve the results without the cooperation of both nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states. I strongly felt this during the discussions at this year’s NPT Review Conference. I believe that the recognition of the inhumanity of nuclear weapons will be an extremely powerful catalyst toward obtaining the cooperation between nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states.

Therefore, my view is that having the political leaders of nuclear-weapon states visit the atomic bombing sites in order to get a sense of the reality of these bombings and to deepen their recognition of the inhumanity of nuclear weapons is an extremely important step toward obtaining the cooperation of both nuclear-weapons states and non-nuclear-weapons states.

So from this belief, I think it is meaningful to invite political leaders of nuclear-weapons states to visit the atomic bombing sites and give them an opportunity to get a sense of the reality of the bombings. Believing this, I want to call for the cooperation of more of the world’s political leaders.

Miyagi, Okinawa Times: About the return of the American military bases, I understand that you have started negotiations for the early return of the West Futenma Corridor area, and the Camp Kinser Makiminato Service Area. Has there been any progress in the negotiations with the United States and do you have a rough idea of approximately by when they will be able to return the areas? If you do have any idea please tell us when it will be.

Minister Kishida: Firstly, I think that proceeding with reducing the impact on Okinawa is an extremely important political issue for the current government. I think we must make various efforts on this issue. One initiative in this area is the signing of the Agreement to Supplement the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) on Environmental Stewardship the other day, and progress is being made on various initiatives, for example the return of the West Futenma housing area the other day. Regarding the matter you pointed out in your question, naturally I think it is an important initiative, and we have been taking a variety of opportunities to stress the importance of this kind of initiative to the United States, and request and persuade them to cooperate with us. You asked about the specific schedule, but I think we have to refrain from stating a specific schedule here and now because we have a partner in this matter. I intend to thoroughly explain to everyone in Okinawa our thoughts and position on this issue, namely that the current government must continue to work hard to reduce the impact on Okinawa, including the points you have raised in your question, and I hope to gain the understanding of the people of Okinawa regarding the government’s position.

Nakagawa, Yomiuri Shimbun: Congratulations on your reappointment. Earlier you were saying that one of your ambitions going forward is to strengthen a future-oriented relationship between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK). However, I have the perception that we are in a situation in which it remains unclear whether or not relations are improving, as the ROK government continues to seek the solution of the problem of the so-called wartime comfort women and other problems. Please tell us your thoughts about specifically what kinds of policies you will devise from now on as the minister in order to strengthen a future-oriented relationship.

Minister Kishida: My perception is that the Japan-ROK relationship is a relationship with one of the neighboring countries that is most important to Japan, and stabilizing the Japan-ROK relationship is not only beneficial for the citizens of both countries but also extremely important in initiatives to tackle the issues faced by the entire international community, such as handling the North Korea problem, etc. I definitely intend to build a future-oriented and multilayered Japan-ROK relationship based on a broad perspective. There are difficult challenges to overcome to achieve this but that is precisely why I believe that approaches such as dialogues at a high level without any preconditions attached and dialogues in a wide range of fields are necessary. The Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting has already been held eight times based on this perspective. Currently preparations are under way to hold the first Japan-China-ROK trilateral summit after a long interval, at some point in the near future. Moreover, in conjunction with the opportunity afforded by that summit, I definitely would like to realize the first ever Japan-ROK Summit Meeting. In addition, the foreign ministers of Japan and ROK have agreed that discussions regarding specific issues and the areas of concern between Japan and ROK, in particular the comfort women issue, will continue through director-general level talks, etc. I definitely intend to continue our dialogues with persistence by utilizing these various channels of communication.

Muramatsu, Asahi Shimbun: This question is concerning the Japanese Constitution in the context of diplomacy. As Minister for Foreign Affairs, what are your thoughts on how the Japanese Constitution—which has set forth pacifism—has contributed in terms of post-war Japan’s development of its diplomacy? Also, the Liberal Democratic Party has made the Constitutional revision its party platform. In that sense, as Minister for Foreign Affairs, what are your views on revising the Constitution?

Minister Kishida: After World War II, our country vowed to renounce war and has walked the path of a peace-loving nation, based on extensive remorse on that war. I believe that during this time, this pacifist Constitution has fulfilled its role in expressing our sentiment to stay as a peace-loving nation. Revising this pacifist Constitution is the party platform of the Liberal Democratic Party. The Constitution is something that is very important, but it cannot be put to use unless it is thoroughly adapted for the changing times. I think that, in order to respond to the changing times, it is very important to take an approach of holding ongoing discussions concerning the Constitution and to examine how the Constitution should be. Furthermore, I am of the view that extensive discussions should be held concerning the Constitution so that the fundamental principles of this pacifist Constitution continue to be valued.

Fujimura, Chugoku Shimbun: This question is related to the response that you gave earlier concerning visits to atomic bombing sites. You mentioned using the opportunity of serving the G7 presidency in order to get the leaders of each country to visit the atomic bombing sites. Speaking frankly, do you intend to use this opportunity to call upon and encourage President Obama and other leaders to visit the atomic bombing sites?

Minister Kishida: Basically I believe that it is very important to have political leaders from around the world visit the atomic bombing sites, witness the reality of the atomic bombings, and deepen their awareness of the inhumanity of nuclear weapons, and to thereby receive their concrete efforts and collaboration aimed at realizing a world without nuclear weapons. I intend to provide encouragement to leaders in various ways based on this idea. Specifically who will do what and when will depend on the judgment of each individual, so I would like to refrain from commenting on any details at this time.

Chijiiwa, TV Asahi: It seems that for the Cabinet reshuffling there have been mingled feelings of joy and sorrow. The outcome has been that one minister, you, has joined from Kochikai faction, of which your are serving as chairman. There seem to be various perspectives on this. What is you view on this recent Cabinet reshuffling?

Minister Kishida: I understand that your question is concerning the number of ministers joining the Cabinet. Looking back on the two years and nine months from the time of the establishment of the second Abe Cabinet until today, the number of Cabinet ministers from Kochikai was initially four and then it was two. Then, with a series of changes of the ministers, the number increased to five, and on this occasion, the number is one. Thus, the number has varied, and has sometimes been large and sometimes small. Personnel affairs are very complex because they are based on chance, or are influenced by various situations and relationships with surrounding people. Personnel affairs are realized based on various outcomes and situations, so I think that Prime Minister Abe, who is the appointer, is the only person who understands the true intentions in this regard. Nevertheless, what is important is how the people given the positions thoroughly fulfill their responsibilities and work up a sweat for our country. Fortunately, our political group the Kochikai has an abundance of outstanding human resources. I believe that these human resources will make thorough efforts for Japan in their respective positions. And I expect that such developments will be linked with subsequent personnel affairs and assessments.