Press Conferences

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I will visit Manila, the Philippines from November 15 to 17 to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting.

At this APEC Ministerial Meeting I will explain Japan’s initiatives, such as the promotion of high quality infrastructure investment, and intend to lay out Japan’s contributions to the promotion of regional economic integration.

In the bilateral meetings, in addition to the Philippines, which is the chair country, I am also scheduled to hold meetings with the new foreign ministers of Thailand and Canada.

Fujita, Fuji TV: With regard to APEC, the White House in the United States has announced that a Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting will be held on the occasion of the APEC meeting. That being so, given the tense situation in the South China Sea that continues at the moment, what common ground do you hope to obtain with the United States?

Minister Kishida: A summit meeting between Japan and the United States is scheduled to be held on the sidelines of the APEC meeting. Where the content of the meeting is concerned, I assume there will be a frank exchange of views between the leaders of the two sides, but at the present stage I would like to refrain from saying anything definite specifically. In any event, however, the issues in the South China Sea are a matter of common interest in the international community, and we recognize that issues such as the rule of law at sea and freedom of navigation are the challenges that we should firmly emphasize.

Fujita, Fuji TV: With regard to maritime issues, over the past few days a Chinese naval vessel made abnormal movements near the Senkaku Islands. What are your views on this?

Minister Kishida: I understand that the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) confirmed that from around 5:00 p.m. on November 11 until around 7:00 p.m. on November 12, an intelligence-gathering vessel of the Chinese navy sailed on the outside of the contiguous zone south of the Senkaku Islands while making repeated east-west passages. The Government of Japan will continue to pay close attention to Chinese naval activities, including movements by Chinese military vessels in the waters surrounding Japan.

Fujita, Fuji TV: Japan-ROK Director-General level talks were held on November 11. These were the first director-general level talks to be held following the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting, and the ROK side is talking about reaching a settlement on the comfort women issue within this year, but I would like to ask what sort of progress was made at these director-general level talks, and whether these director-general level talks will be held again this year.

Minister Kishida: On November 11, a broad-ranging discussion on the various challenges that exist between Japan and the ROK took place between Mr. Kimihiro Ishikane, Director-General, Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau on the Japanese side, and Mr. Lee Sang-deuk, Director-General, Northeast Asian Affairs Bureau on the ROK side. I will refrain from commenting in detail, but I received a report that the Director-Generals emphasized their respective positions, and shared the view that they will strive to find common ground amid the differing positions, and will continue to discuss the various challenges. At the present point in time nothing has been decided, but from here on coordination will take place on holding the next talks as early as possible.

Fujita, Fuji TV: Does that mean there is no time range or such at present?

Minister Kishida: The matter of the next talks is as I just mentioned. And discussions took place on various challenges, but nothing was decided.

Fujita, Fuji TV: The 2+2 meeting between Japan and Australia are said to be held toward the end of the month and Japan is aiming to receive orders for the new class of submarine, but recently there has been a change of government in Australia. What effects do you think this will have?

Minister Kishida: Coordination is being made toward holding the 2+2 meeting. With regards to the submarines issue, the Government of Japan considers that cooperation between Japan and Australia on security is an important matter relating to the peace and stability of the region. This has not changed at all. It is being progressed in accordance with the competitive evaluation process. My understanding is that the Government of Japan is seriously investigating this matter so that it can respond for all three options, of building the submarines in Japan, in Australia, or in both countries. I would like to refrain from commenting further on this matter.

Kawachi, Kyodo Press: My question is on the comfort women issue. After the Summit Meeting, Ms. Park Geun-hye, the President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) for the first time gave a written interview to Kyodo Press, and on the comfort women issue, stated that she expected the Government of Japan to rapidly present a solution that would be acceptable not only to the victims, but also to the people of the ROK, and once again requested that it present a solution. May I ask your response to this?

Minister Kishida: With regards to the comfort women issue, the point that both leaders concurred on at the recent Japan-ROK Summit Meeting was that given this year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-ROK relations, each would give the instructions to accelerate the discussions in order to conclude them as quickly as possible. The discussions are continuing based on this point and this issue was also discussed in the recent director-general level talks. These discussions are on-going and at the current point in time, I do not think any specific matters have been decided within them.

Kawachi, Kyodo Press: Concerning the deadline for aiming to resolve the comfort women issue, President Park Geun-hye stated she was avoiding setting a deadline before the end of the year, but expected there to be clearly visible progress in the near future. What are your thoughts, Minister, on a deadline for a resolution and conclusion to this issue?

Minister Kishida: I cannot say anything other than the point confirmed by both leaders during the Summit Meeting. I believe that keeping in mind that this is an important anniversary year, we will strive to accelerate the discussions toward concluding them as quickly as possible. That is all I can say.