Press Conferences

Fujita, Fuji TV: North Korea launched four projectiles yesterday. While I believe it is still unclear whether these were missiles or rockets, what is your view on this, and what type of response is being planned?

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Japan collects and analyzes information about North Korea on a regular basis, but I would like to refrain from commenting on the point you have cited, as it relates to our intelligence collection. However, the Government has not confirmed the arrival of any projectiles in Japan, and I am not aware of any direct impact on Japan’s security. While cooperating with related countries, Japan intends to continue to urge North Korea to exercise self-restraint and to abide by the Security Council resolutions and other agreements, and Japan must be fully prepared to deal with all potential circumstances.

Fujita, Fuji TV: Does the Government intend to lodge a protest to North Korea as a response?

Minister Kishida: As just mentioned, due to the nature of this matter, I would like to refrain from further comments.

Fujita, Fuji TV: Is this because the flight distance this time was short?

Minister Kishida: It is an issue related to intelligence collection, and I would like to refrain from commenting on issues related to Japan’s intelligence-collection capabilities.

Fujita, Fuji TV: You just returned from visiting Europe yesterday. I believe you invited foreign ministers from the various countries to visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum ahead of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and Italy appears to have responded positively. Did you also receive a positive comment for visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park from the Foreign Minister of France?

Minister Kishida: In my meetings with the foreign ministers of Italy and France, I explained Japan’s view that visiting the site of the bombing and witnessing the reality of the bombing damage is very important in efforts to build momentum for achieving a world without nuclear weapons, and Japan’s desire to arrange a related event for the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting based on this concept. I believe the foreign ministers understood Japan’s view.

Fujita, Fuji TV: Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are holding a Director-General level talk today. I believe relations have been very positive since last year’s Japan-ROK agreement. What are your expectations for today’s talk?

Minister Kishida: Mr. Kimihiro Ishikane, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, will be holding a Japan-ROK Director-General level talk in the afternoon today with Mr. Chung Byung-won, Director-General for the Northeast Asian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the ROK, who recently assumed the position.

This is the first Director-General level talk since the agreement was reached between Japan and the ROK at the end of last year. While I would like to refrain from predicting the content of the talk at this stage, I hope that they conduct meaningful discussions on various issues between the two countries, including follow-up on the agreement.

Watanabe, NHK: I have a question regarding North Korea’s launch of projectiles. While Japan has lodged protests against past launches, including mid-range and short-term ballistic missiles, is there something different this time that is preventing it from making a protest?

Minister Kishida: I will not comment in any further detail. The only thing I would say is that Japan has not confirmed the arrival of projectiles.

Watanabe, NHK: Does this mean that you have not specifically confirmed a launch?

Minister Kishida: I will not make any specific remarks.

Takita, Sankei Shimbun: Chinese fishing boats have been entering the waters around Indonesia, and tensions are arising between Indonesia and China. China has been reacting fairly aggressively this time. What are your thoughts regarding the situation?

Minister Kishida: I am aware of the media reports relating to the situation. Japan is concerned about unilateral behavior raising tensions in the South China Sea, and believes that the related countries should restrain their actions in line with the related international laws and work to achieve peaceful solutions through dialogue.

Takita, Sankei Shimbun: Does Japan plan to raise this issue at the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting?

Minister Kishida: Coordination is still taking place and nothing has yet been decided regarding the issues and specific discussions of the Meeting. However, the topics of the rule of law and abiding by international laws are obviously important.