Press Conferences

Takita, Sankei Shimbun: Today, in Seoul, a private-sector entity with participation from Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and China submitted a nomination to register materials related to comfort women in UNESCO’s Memories of the World. What is the Japanese Government’s reaction to this development and how does it intend to respond? Also, there had already been talk about this group or multiple groups, in fact, submitting a nomination for some time. While I think it would have been difficult to stop the nomination procedurally, please explain if Japan took any steps or measures ahead of time.

Mr. Yasuhisa Kawamura, Press Secretary: Regarding the first point, there is a variety of information about this　nomination, including media reports, and we are currently following the situation and confirming the details.

Regarding the second point about our responses, the Governments of Japan and the ROK reached an agreement on the comfort women issue at the end of last year. We thus have asked the ROK Government a number of times to take appropriate actions in light of the agreement from the end of last year. I think it is important for Japan and the ROK to take responsibility in dealing with this matter based on the agreement between the Foreign Ministers from the end of last year. This approach also applies to the current situation.

Additionally, I am aware that Korean private groups joined this joint nomination related to the ROK. Notwithstanding the situation, as I just mentioned, it is important for the Governments of Japan and the ROK to respectively take responsibility in implementing the agreement from the end of last year.

Tadokoro, Mainichi Shimbun: Does your mention of asking the ROK Government multiple times to respond appropriately in the previous answer refer to a nomination that specifically takes into account this Memories of the World case or just in general without any particular relation?

Press Secretary Kawamura: Your question was about the registration　nomination. Both Governments have been discussing the importance of taking responses, not limited to case, in a responsible manner, taking into account the possibility of this　nomination, because, once again, the agreement between the Governments of Japan and the ROK from the end of last year is an extremely important foundation for resolving the comfort women issue.

Tadokoro, Mainichi Shimbun: Finally, while it might not be necessary to confirm in light of your explanation of Japan’s response, can I understand your comment on planning to respond to the current matter with this approach to mean that Japan will ask the ROK Government to take responsibility in implementing the agreement again?

Press Secretary Kawamura: We are going to take responses taking that in mind, but we would like to first confirm the details, as I mentioned at the outset, there have been a variety of media reports as well as a mixture of information on a joint nomination.

Morifuji, Yomiuri Shimbun: This is related. You just mentioned discussing the matter with the ROK Government. I think the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has voiced support for the nomination. Has Japan made some type of approach to the Chinese Government?

Press Secretary Kawamura: Yes, Japan is also asking the Chinese Government to refrain from supporting thisnomination. The Japanese Government thinks it is important to take a future-oriented approach to jointly address issues facing the international community rather than to focus excessively on the unfortunate past. From this perspective, since the nomination in this case clearly would not have a positive impact on national sentiment in Japan and China, we have asked the Chinese side to refrain from supporting this type ofnomination.

Takita, Sankei Shimbun: Since the aim of the agreement between Japan and the ROK has been discussed numerous times, can you be sure that the ROK Government is not providing any support or back-up in this case?

Press Secretary Kawamura: The Governments of Japan and the ROK have engaged in multiple and various interactions as needed. Our fundamental view is that the two Governments should take responsibility in carrying out the agreement between Japan and the ROK from the end of last year, and we have engaged in various initiatives and exchanges in this context. However, I would like to refrain from discussing details because these are diplomatic interactions.

Kobayashi, Asahi Shimbun: Regarding the Mitsubishi Materials lawsuit, a settlement has been reached. This issue is related to forced labor, and I think it is a matter with relevance to the Government’s opinion. Please explain Japan’s view of this settlement.

Press Secretary Kawamura: Regarding the announcement made by Mitsubishi Materials, I am aware of such results. However, I should refrain from commenting on this matter because this case is a voluntary resolution between the private-sector parties.

Kobayashi, Asahi Shimbun: There is also an ongoing case related to requisition of labor workers in the ROK. What type of impact do you expect on this case?

Press Secretary Kawamura: The previous case reached a settlement. I am not aware at this point of any Japanese companies related to the requisition of labor lawsuit in the ROK seeking a settlement. Therefore, I would like to refrain from commenting on a hypothetical question.

Additionally, the Agreement on the Settlement of Problems Concerning Property and Claims and on Economic Co-operation between Japan and the Republic of Korea already entirely and finally resolved problems regarding property claims between the two countries, including issues related to requisition of labor workers in the private sector from the ROK. I believe the ROK Government has the same stance regarding this matter.

Kobayashi, Asahi Shimbun: I have a question about the G7 Summit. The Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary explained in a briefing on the same day as the presentation by Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, that he stated that current conditions resemble the situation prior to the Lehman Shock in his assessment of the global economy. In yesterday’s press conference, however, he said that this statement was not made and essentially removed it. Please explain the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ view of this exchange.

Press Secretary Kawamura: I think the situation is just as explained yesterday by Mr. Seko, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary. My understanding is that Prime Minister Abe used materials to explain to the G7 leaders the necessity of strengthening efforts to deal with current economic situations by mobilizing all government policy tools at the right timing in order to avoid slipping into another crisis. I believe this matter was explained by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seko at yesterday’s press conference.

Kobayashi, Asahi Shimbun: So Prime Minister Abe did not make a statement that current conditions resembled the situation prior to the Lehman Shock?

Press Secretary Kawamura: This was explained in Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seko’s press conference, and I just reviewed the content.

Morifuji, Yomiuri Shimbun: I’d like to go back to the previous discussion. You mentioned that the matter of claim rights of individuals between Japan and the ROK has already been resolved. Please explain the Government’s stance regarding claim rights of individuals for damages related to forceful taking away by the military and government authorities and other matters during the war.

Press Secretary Kawamura: Between Japan and the ROK?

Morifuji, Yomiuri Shimbun: Generally in regard to claim rights of individuals for damages related to forceful taking away by the military and government authorities and other matters during the war between not only Japan and the ROK, but also including China.

Press Secretary Kawamura: Regarding the ROK, our stance is that Japan and the ROK fully resolved issues, including personal claim rights, in the Agreement on the Settlement of Problems Concerning Property and Claims and on Economic Co-operation.

Regarding China, our stance is that the issue of claim rights between Japan and China from the war period does not exist since the announcement of the Japan-China Joint Communique in 1972.