Press Conferences

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan: I will visit Italy, Vatican City State, and France from tomorrow until March 21. A little over 20 days remain until the G7 Hiroshima Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. I will visit Italy, the only G7 country I have not yet visited, and I will visit France, where Mr. Jean-Marc Ayrault has just been appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, and I intend to firmly confirm cooperation in the run up to the G7 Hiroshima Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. I hope to firmly discuss the urgent challenges facing the international community, such as measures to combat terrorism and violent extremism, and the Middle East situation, in preparation for the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

In Italy I intend to discuss the preparations for theG7 meeting and the bilateral relationship between our countries, which are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, with Mr. Paolo Gentiloni, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

In France I will hold my first meeting with Minister Ayrault, who was appointed recently. I hope to deepen the relationship of personal trust and hold firm discussions toward the success of the G7. I will take this opportunity to visit Vatican City, which wields influence worldwide, and will hold my first meeting with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See. I intend to seek a shared awareness with the Vatican on various international issues.

Chijiwa, TV Asahi: First, I would like to ask about North Korea. This morning North Korea once again launched a ballistic missile. To begin with, could you discuss the latest information and the Government’s response?

Minister Kishida: First, it appears that a single ballistic missile was once again launched from the west coast of North Korea toward the Sea of Japan early this morning. This missile launch is a violation of other relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and an escalation of provocations by North Korea, and I strongly condemn it. I lodged a protest with North Korea through the embassy route in Beijing at 7:50 a.m. today. I will continue to coordinate closely with the United States, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and other related countries, and will strive to make a thorough response, including gathering information.

Chijiwa, TV Asahi: What was the content of that protest?

Minister Kishida: A protest was lodged but I will refrain from going into detail. It took place at 7:50 a.m.

Chijiwa, TV Asahi: Previously, on March 10, the launch was believed to involve a Scud, a short-range ballistic missile. Because the missile launched this time had a range of 800 kilometers, some are of the view that it was a Nodong, a medium-range ballistic missile. Is it correct to view this as a further escalation of provocations?

Minister Kishida: I certainly intend to have the Ministry of Defense and others confirm the details as well, but in any event, since the start of this year North Korea has conducted a nuclear test and launched ballistic missiles, and then it again launched a ballistic missile today. I think it is probably appropriate to view these actions as an escalation in provocations.

Chijiiwa, TV Asahi: My question concerns the case of Junpei Yasuda which there has been a development since yesterday. Please tell us if you have any new information or the subsequent status of the negotiations.

Minister Kishida: We are currently continuing to work on the analyses of the video. It is a very important responsibility for the government to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens. We are utilizing our information network and taking every possible measure. We intend to continue taking careful measures.

Chijiiwa, TV Asahi: Has there been any approach from the other party to the government regarding this matter since yesterday; that is, since the video was publicly released?

Minister Kishida: Regarding this issue, I think that yesterday the Chief Cabinet Secretary stated that the government has been taking careful measures since receiving the information that Junpei Yasuda had gone missing. The government intends to continue to take careful measures.

Odanaka, Mainichi Shimbun: My question concerns Japan-China relations. According to some reports, your plan is to visit China by Golden Week, by May, and you have already started coordination of the visit. Are you currently still coordinating the visit?

Minister Kishida: I believe that Japan and China are in agreement that dialogues that aim to achieve better communication between our two countries in a variety of fields and at all levels will continue to be important. However, at the present point in time nothing specific has been decided regarding my visit to China. We are continuing to coordinate the visit.