Press Conferences

Oshima, TV Asahi: How is the coordination going for holding the respective Japan-China and Japan-ROK Summit Meetings on the occasion of the Japan-China-ROK Summit Meeting?

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: In regard to the Japan-China-ROK Summit Meeting, the schedule is currently at the stage of being coordinated, led by the ROK, which is the chair country, and the schedule has not been decided yet. Consequently the schedule for the bilateral meetings relating to that has not been decided either.

Oshima, TV Asahi: In regard to the fact that a Japan-ROK Summit Meeting may take place, the ROK is seeking a response on the comfort women issue, but is there any prospect of progress?

Minister Kishida: To begin with, difficult issues exist between Japan and the ROK, but I believe the very fact that difficult issues exist is the reason why having dialogue is important. Japan has always stated that the door for dialogue is open.

And, as I stated earlier, at present the schedule for the Japan-China-ROK Summit Meeting has not been officially announced, and as for bilateral meetings, not even the schedules have been decided either. That is the situation. I would like to refrain from commenting on the content at the present stage.

However, in regard to the point you raised, there is no change to the position of the Government of Japan. I intend to continue to hold discussions tenaciously.

Odanaka, Mainichi Shimbun: My question concerns the South China Sea. There are some reports suggesting that a United States military vessel has begun patrolling activities close to 12 nautical miles from China’s artificial islands. Could you provide some explanation regarding what facts the Government of Japan has ascertained, any reports it has received from the United States and so forth?

Minister Kishida: First, I would like to refrain from commenting on specific U.S. military operations. On that basis, regarding whether or not we have received reports from the United States, I will refrain from commenting on details about diplomatic exchanges or exchanges with the United States. However, close information exchanges take place between Japan and the United States.

Odanaka, Mainichi Shimbun: If it is true that the U.S. military navigated then a backlash from the Chinese side is inevitable. Assuming the sailing by the U.S. military did occur, what position will the Government of Japan take in response?

Minister Kishida: From the outset, we believe that taking unilateral actions that change the status quo and increase tensions by undertaking large-scale land reclamation or construction in the South China Sea is a matter for concern shared by the international community. The Government believes it is important for the international community to coordinate in order to preserve open, free and peaceful seas. Responses based on international law should be respected, I believe.

Lee, Phoenix TV: In regard to the military action by the United States in the South China Sea, as a civilized nation does Japan support the United States’ action or oppose it?

Minister Kishida: I am aware there are currently various reports about military operation by the United States, but I intend to continue to pay attention to what the actual action is. In any event, it is important for the international community to coordinate in order to preserve open, free and peaceful seas, I believe.

Sakaguchi, Nikkei Shimbun: Not long ago the President of Indonesia expressed his country’s intention to participate in the TPP in a meeting with Barack H. Obama, President of the United States. How do you view this, and in conjunction with that question, following the recent agreement in principle reached on the TPP, other countries are also expressing interest in participating, but what are your views also on this situation?

Minister Kishida: The TPP will create high-level trade and investment rules in the Asia-Pacific region for the 21st Century, and my understanding is that the agreement is envisaged to grow broader in the future. I think it is envisaged that the countries and regions from the Asia-Pacific region participating in the TPP will increase. So where various developments are concerned, countries and regions seeking to take part will need to express their intention officially with an indication that they are prepared to satisfy the high levels of the TPP agreement, I believe. And the TPP participating countries will decide for or against, on that basis. That is what will happen, I think. I intend to continue to watch Indonesia’s move and other developments closely.