Press Conferences

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I recently had Mr. Seiji Kihara, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, compile a report on improving the grant aid system and its management with the goal of making more efficient use of official development assistance (ODA) grant aid, which is an important means of Japanese diplomacy.

I asked State Minister Kihara to hold hearings with consultants, construction companies and trading companies about the current state of grant aid and the related challenges, and had him present measures for improving the grant aid system and its management, based on the outcome of those hearings.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to strive to effectively and smoothly implement higher quality ODA through these improvements in the grant aid system and its management.

Takita, Sankei Shimbun: The Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) is to establish a foundation based on the agreement between Japan and the ROK on the comfort women issue. With regard to the timing of the Government of Japan’s contribution of 1 billion yen to this foundation, am I correct in understanding that the Japanese side will contribute the money as soon as the foundation is established?

Minister Kishida: I understand that the first meeting of the preparatory committee for establishing the foundation that you mentioned was held in the ROK on May 31. I recognize this move to establish the foundation as one part of the Government of the ROK’s preparations to fulfill the content of the agreement on the comfort women issue that was reached between Japan and the ROK at the end of last year. The content of what was stated by the two countries’ foreign ministers on December 28 covers the content of the Japan-ROK agreement in its entirety. I believe what is important is that each side responsibly fulfills the agreement. The Government of Japan also intends to continue to work to implement the agreement, while coordinating with the Government of the ROK.

Takita, Sankei Shimbun: So the timing is undecided at the present stage and will be decided later? Or it will be decided based on exchanges with the ROK?

Minister Kishida: The content of the agreement is what was stated on December 28. It is important for each side to implement that. Each side will make efforts, and I view this preparatory committee for establishing the foundation as one part of that preparation. A specific schedule has not been decided.

Takita, Sankei Shimbun: This also relates to the Japan-ROK agreement, but with regard to the removal of the statue in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, the December 28 press announcement by you and the ROK’s Foreign Minister stated that the Government of the ROK will strive to solve this issue in an appropriate manner through taking measures such as consulting with related organizations about possible ways of addressing this issue. At the present point in time, how much effort do you believe the Government of the ROK is making with regard to removing this statue?

Minister Kishida: I understand that the Government of the ROK is continuing with its efforts to provide explanations to the citizens of the ROK so that it can fulfill the content of the Japan-ROK agreement. I intend to continue to observe these efforts by the ROK side.

Kamide, Free Journalist: Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister, announced another delay of the consumption tax hike at a press conference yesterday. I have a question on this. I believe the newspaper media posed similar questions at the previous press conference. Prime Minister Abe emphasized the presence of a global economic crisis at the G7 Summit and acknowledged yesterday that the decision on the tax hike could be construed as breaking his prior promise not to further delay the tax hike. However, he noted that it subsequently became necessary to make a new decision and the general public could render its decision in the election. There has been harsh criticism by opposition parties and the media of Prime Minister Abe’s change of his promise backed by a majority in the National Diet. Please explain your reaction to these points, including breaking a political promise.

Minister Kishida: As you noted, Prime Minister Abe used the term “newdecision” in his explanation. I am also aware that he commented that the general public could render its decision regarding the judgment in the House of Councillors election. I believe the way in which the general public views this decision is important. The Government should continue to carefully explain the decision to the general public, and I think it must continue efforts to obtain public understanding of this approach.

Kamide, Free Journalist: Do you personally believe that breaking a political promise is acceptable?

Minister Kishida: I am currently a member of the Government and Cabinet, and Prime Minister Abe made his statements as a representative of the Cabinet. I believe it is my role as a member of the Cabinet to accept the statements and explanation and continue efforts to explain them.

Shimoe, Kyodo Press: I have a question about the issue related to UNESCO’s Memory of the World. This was also raised at the Chief Cabinet Secretary’s press conference this morning. Private-sector groups from the Republic of Korea (RoK) and China registered comfort women documents with UNESCO’s Memory of the World. What is your response? Last year Japan had a disappointing experience related to the Nanjing incident. What system changes does Japan intend to pursue in light of these developments? Please explain the extent of progress thus far and the outlook.

Minister Kishida: I am aware of the announcement on this point, and it appears that a private-sector group submitted the registration nomination in this case. However, I would like to refrain from commenting because I do not have details on the nomination content at this point. I will continue looking into this matter.

In any case, I think all of UNESCO’s projects should promote the original mission and purpose of the establishment of UNESCO of fostering friendship and mutual understanding among member countries. In addition, the Memory of the World project is strongly requested to cooperate with related countries. From such perspective, Japan intends to continue monitoring the situation and responding appropriately.

Regarding improvements to the system, I believe the Memory of the World project has many system-related problems with transparency and fairness, and reforms in these areas are urgently needed. From such recognition, Japan has engaged in discussion of system reforms with experts and related countries so that this project promotes the original mission and purpose of the UNESCO of fostering friendship and mutual understanding among member countries. As to the current situation, experts are currently conducting a review process. Japan needs to continue to firmly express its views and also cautiously and carefully respond so that the review process steadily moves forward. This is my understanding.

Ishigaki, Jiji Press: Going back to the previous question, you mentioned that the way in which the general public understands the “new decision” in the additional postponement of the consumption tax hike and rendering of a decision through the House of Councillors election is important. Do you think that the general public is currently not understanding the decision?

Minister Kishida: No, Prime Minister Abe just gave his explanation yesterday. I believe it is important to carefully watch the various reactions of the general public and continue our efforts. Prime Minister Abe also cited the House of Councillors election as a way for the general public to render a decision. I think the Government needs to work extensively to explain its position ahead of the House of Councillors election and strive to obtain good results in the election.

Okuma, Kyodo Press: Mr. Ri Su-yong, Foreign Minister of North Korea, yesterday met with Dr. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, and confirmed strengthening of friendly ties between China and North Korea. Please explain your thoughts about this movement by China, which plays a key role in determining the effectiveness of the Security Council’s sanctions resolution.

Minister Kishida: I would like to refrain from commenting in my position, given that it fundamentally concerns interactions between third parties. However, I believe it is important for North Korea to take specific actions or express a serious intent toward denuclearization. To this end, I also think it is vital for Japan to continue calling on North Korea to refrain from provocative behavior and sincerely and fully implement Security Council resolutions and the Joint Statement from the Six-Party Talks while closely collaborating with related countries, including China. A key point now is ensuring full implementation of the recently adopted Security Council resolution that contains strong content. Japan intends to work closely with China and other related countries.

Abe, Asahi Shimbun: You just spoke about the House of Councillors election. The ordinary session of the Diet ended yesterday and I assume that attention will focus increasingly on the House of Councillors election. So, looking back, what are the most important results of Japanese diplomacy during the Third Abe Cabinet in your view? I would also like you to tell us what the foreign policy challenges are.

Minister Kishida: I myself have been striving to fulfill my duties as foreign minister since the inauguration of the Second Abe Cabinet. During this time, I put forward strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance, promoting the relationship with neighboring countries, and promoting economic diplomacy as the three pillars of Japan’s foreign policy, and have been working on the basis of these three pillars. Looking back on the past three and a half years, I feel proud that results are being achieved for each of these pillars.

It is my belief that the Japan-U.S. Alliance is more robust than ever before. Regarding the relationship with neighboring countries, the Japan-China-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting were resumed last year. We were also able to hold the first Japan-ROK Summit Meeting. At the end of the year, we were able to achieve the Japan-ROK agreement concerning comfort women, a historic agreement. Regarding the third pillar, economic diplomacy, the Abe Cabinet has been actively engaged in top-level sales efforts, including the signing of the TPP agreement in February. This year on that basis, I believe that we were able to successfully conclude the April G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Hiroshima and the G7 Ise-Shima Summit. We were also able to realize President Obama’s historic visit to Hiroshima.

I believe that these can be raised as our achievements. As for the challenges going forward, this year, we must first hold the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting in Japan, and TICAD IV is scheduled to be held in Africa for the first time. We intend to lead the global discussion and play a major role through Japanese diplomacy by firmly executing such major foreign policy agenda; that is my view. It is my understanding that these are the specific challenges going forward.

Jibiki, Nikkei Shimbun: Regarding the development of gas fields in the East China Sea by China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs renewed its website yesterday to list a new structure, confirming the current situation where development is moving forward. First, please tell us your perspective on this, and how you intend to break out of this current situation in which China will not stop the development despite the repeated objections from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Kishida: Concerning the matter that you pointed out, we confirmed the installment of one new superstructure. Under the circumstances pending maritime boundary delimitation between Japan and China in the East China Sea, it is extremely regrettable that China is advancing unilateral development, despite our repeated protests. We immediately lodged a protest with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels.

Whenever related movements on the Chinese side are confirmed, Japan has issued strong demands to the Chinese side to cease unilateral development activities, and we will continue to do so. At the same time, there is the June 2008 Agreement regarding cooperation between Japan and China on the development of natural resources in the East China Sea. It was agreed at the Japan-China Summit Meeting held last November that the two sides would aim at resuming consultations based on that agreement. We have been approaching them in a variety of ways through diplomatic channels on the basis of this agreement.

For example, we took the opportunity of the Fourth Round Meeting of Japan-China High-Level Consultation on Maritime Affairs to have an exchange of views between Japanese and Chinese diplomatic authorities on the development of resources in the East China Sea, and also had an exchange of views on the occasion of the Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in April of this year. We intend to continue to demand that the consultations for the implementation of the June 2008 Agreement be resumed promptly, and that the understanding be implemented promptly. That is our intent. It is our intention to continue to make specific approaches on the basis of these thoughts.

Kurihara, NHK: Regarding the case the other day in Okinawa Prefecture where a person working with the U.S. Forces was arrested, I believe that on both the Japanese and U.S. sides, the U.S. Forces are considering ways to prevent recurrence and the Japanese side is considering measures to deter crime. Could you tell us what kind of consultations the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is the contact point for the diplomatic relationship with the United States, is holding with the U.S. side, and what the current state of considerations is with regard to such matters as prospects for coming to a conclusion on measures to prevent recurrence?

Minister Kishida: This case is a selfish crime, the most despicable of crimes, and I feel that it is extremely regrettable. Prime Minister Abe issued a strong protest to President Obama at the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting on May 25. I believe that it is necessary to continue to seek the expeditious establishment of effective measures to prevent recurrence through consultations between Japan and the United States so that such a case will never occur again. As such, Japan and the United States are currently continuing to hold these consultations. Given the grave nature of this case, we intend to continue efforts to enable us to indicate specific measures in a visible manner between Japan and the United States.