Press Conferences

Fukai, TBS: The Legislation for Peace and Security takes effect today. Please explain again the significance of this legislation and its impact on the Japan-US Alliance and diplomacy with neighboring countries.

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan: Protecting the lives and peaceful livelihoods of the Japanese people is a very important obligation for politics and the Government, and it is vital to build positive international relations through robust diplomacy. Additionally, I believe it is essential for Japan to have the Legislation for Peace and Security that establishes the full-fledged structures necessary to protect the lives and livelihoods of the Japanese people in the event that something occurs.

The Government intends to continue its efforts to explain the Legislation for Peace and Security to the Japanese people in a careful and straightforward manner, and Japan has received reactions of support and welcome for the Legislation for Peace and Security from many countries, including the United States and various countries in Europe and Asia. Japan plans to continue efforts to explain the Legislation for Peace and Security carefully and clearly to the international community as well.

Fukai, TBS: Mr. Donald Trump, one of the candidates for the Republican Party nomination in the US presidential election, recently mentioned the possibility of the removal of US Forces from Japan. What are your thoughts on this?

Minister Kishida: First, I would note that it is fundamentally not appropriate for me as Foreign Minister to address these comments, as they are coming from a candidate taking part in an ongoing election in the United States. However, regardless of who becomes the president of the United States, the Japan-US Alliance is very important for Japan’s national security as well as regional peace and stability, and I believe it must be firmly maintained.

Fukai, TBS: Some are suggesting that North Korea might conduct a nuclear test around the time of the Nuclear Security Summit, which is just about to take place. What does the Japanese Government currently know about this situation?

Minister Kishida: Japan has been making firm efforts to gather and analyze information on North Korea. However, offering details from these efforts would shed light on Japan’s intelligence-gathering capabilities, and I think it would not be appropriate to clarify these details due to the nature of the situation.

Meanwhile, Japan must continue to actively urge North Korea to comply with the various Security Council resolutions and to refrain from provocative actions. Japan also has not in any way altered its stance of refusing to accept North Korea’s nuclear and missile development.

Tanaka, Chugoku Shimbun: I have a question regarding Mr. Trump. He has said that the possession of nuclear arsenals by Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) should be accepted, and that nuclear weapons could be used against ISIL as a last resort. What are your thoughts on these points?

Minister Kishida: As I just explained, I would like to refrain from speaking about the various comments made by candidates during the election process that it is currently taking place in the United States. However, Japan abides by the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and the Atomic Energy Basic Act, and emphasizes the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Therefore, I do not see any possibility of Japan possessing a nuclear arsenal.

Takita, Sankei Shimbun: I would like to ask about certain media reports regarding the Japan-China Greening Communication Fund. Some media sources are reporting that China has rejected the proposal by Japan of a contribution to the fund. Please explain the related facts.

Minister Kishida: The supplemental budget has already been approved for the fund, and I believe it should be suitably operated in line with this concept. I have not confirmed the details myself.

Fujimori, Yomiuri Shimbun: Some media sources are reporting that Japan and the United States will agree on the return of 45 kilograms of uranium from the research-use nuclear reactor at Kyoto University to the United States during the Nuclear Security Summit. Please explain the current outlook.

Foreign Minister Kishida: Japan intends to hold Japan-US-ROK Summit Meeting at the Nuclear Security Summit. However, I expect the coordination of the content of that meeting to take up until the last moment, and I would like to refrain from speculating on specific topics at this stage. We intend to continue our coordination.