Press Conferences

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I will be visiting the People’s Republic of China and four Southeast Asian countries, namely, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam from April 29 to May 6.

This will be the first bilateral visit to China by a Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan in approximately four and a half years. I recently delivered a speech ahead of my visit to China and expressed my desire to work together in building a bilateral relationship suited to a new era. I will meet with Mr. Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, as well as other leaders of the Government of China, to frankly exchange views on ways to further improve Japan-China relations.

I will then visit Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Viet Nam after China. Through visiting the Mekong region countries of Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Viet Nam, which hold the key to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration, I hope to promote the strengthening of the ASEAN Community launched last year. I also intend to deliver an inclusive message on Japan’s diplomacy towards ASEAN by making a policy speech in Bangkok.

Through promptly establishing trustworthy relationships with Myanmar, Laos and Viet Nam where new administrations have just been launched, I will work to strengthen cooperation not only bilaterally but also in the regional and international arenas.

Reporter: I have a question about your trip, especially on China. I heard that you plan to also meet with Mr. Yang Jiechi, State Councilor of the People's Republic of China, in addition to Foreign Minister Wang Yi. What type of results are you expecting? Is there any review of a possible meeting with Mr. Li Keqiang, Premier of the People's Republic of China, at this point?

Minister Kishida: As I just mentioned, this will be the first bilateral visit to China by a Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan in approximately four and a half years. I feel that the bilateral relationship between Japan and China is on an improving path and hope that my visit can advance the bilateral relationship and take a step forward in order to build a relationship that is suited to a new era. I hope to engage in a frank exchange of opinions.

I have plans to meet with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and State Councilor Yang Jiechi. Coordination is currently taking place in regards to other officials.

Reporter: North Korea announced that it plans to hold a Party Conference on May 6. Some observers think it might conduct a nuclear weapon test, missile launch, or other action prior to that. How does Japan intend to respond with yourself and Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, outside of the country at that time?

Minister Kishida: I am aware of the announcement by North Korea that it will hold the Seventh Party Conference on May 6. Regarding North Korea, Japan has been regularly gathering and analyzing information. Japan intends to continue to do so in cooperation with other countries as well as to confirm its operations so that it can respond to all situations. While Cabinet members and others have various schedules during Golden Week, the Government as a whole obviously has prepared itself to adequately respond.

Reporter: I have a question about the Japan-Russia relationship. While I am hearing that a Japan-Russia Summit Meeting will take place during Prime Minister Abe’s trip, it is also being said that there is still no plan for a joint press conference. What type of result is the Japanese Government expecting from this Japan-Russia diplomacy?

Minister Kishida: If Prime Minister Abe travels to Russia and has a Summit Meeting, I imagine that it would involve a frank exchange of opinions on the full range of the bilateral relationship between Japan and Russia as well as international issues including Ukraine. As this is a Summit Meeting, I would like to refrain from making definitive comments on what might be discussed; yet, I think discussions would include the Northern Territories issue and the issue related to concluding a peace treaty. These matters require frank discussion and dialogue between the respective leaders. I am hoping that a frank dialogue takes place.

Reporter: This is the first visit to China in four years. While there have been top meetings and summits and the relationship has moved onto an improvement path, what do you think is necessary to achieve full-fledged improvement of the bilateral relationship?

Minister Kishida: I gave a speech recently on the Japan-China relationship that expressed my views. In particular, I mentioned three key initiatives for building a bilateral relationship that is suited to a new era.

The first is expansion of cooperation. The second is addressing issues and concerns, and the third is cultivating mutual understanding and building a relationship of trust among our peoples. I explained that these are three important points.

Through these three efforts, I hope to build a bilateral relationship that is suited to the new era in which Japan and China have major responsibilities for achieving peace and prosperity at international and regional levels as major economic powers with the world’s third and second largest economies respectively. However, it is not possible to build this type of relationship just with efforts from one of the countries. I think it is important for both sides to make efforts and cooperate. Japan intends to conduct efforts with this attitude, and I will ask for cooperation from the Chinese side too in my visit to China.

Reporter: Minister, do you intend to communicate Japan’s existing positions to China, particularly in regards to the East China Sea and South China Sea?

Minister Kishida: The second item from the three points I just mentioned calls for addressing issues and concerns. I believe it is important to frankly exchange opinions on respective positions and, based on that, discuss ways to control and manage these issues at the bilateral level.

Reporter: Expectations have risen for a visit to Hiroshima by Mr. Barak H. Obama, the President of the United States. Has the US side spoken with Japan about this? Also, what is the state of preparations if a trip does occur?

Minister Kishida: Given my position, I would like to refrain from discussing specific points related to the schedules for President Obama. I believe this is a matter for the US Government to decide.

Reporter: This is related to Taiwan. A Taiwanese fishing boat was seized recently around the Okinotori Islands for operating without approval. Mr. Ma Ying-jeou, President of Taiwan, asserted that the Okinotori Islands are just rocks and not islands. Has the Japanese Government begun contacts at the diplomatic level? Also, what is your view of the comment by President Ma Ying-jeou?

Minister Kishida: I am aware of the announcement. The status of Oki-no-Tori Shima Island as an island has been established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and therefore an exclusive economic zone exists in the surrounding area. Japan cannot accept Taiwan’s unique assertion in its announcement, and we lodged a protest through the Interchange Association.

Reporter: Was the protest made yesterday?

Minister Kishida: I do not have the specific timing information now.