Press Conferences

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: The next meeting for negotiations to conclude a Japan-Russia Peace Treaty will take place in Tokyo on June 22. The negotiations will be attended by Mr. Chikahito Harada, as the representative of the Government on the Japanese side, and Mr. Igor Vladimirovich Morgulov, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Regarding the northern territories issue, Mr. Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov, Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and I engaged in a constructive discussion that set a positive tone for future negotiations when we met in April. Based on this result, at the Japan-Russia Summit Meeting held last month, both leaders shared the view that the two countries should actively proceed with negotiations toward the formulation of solutions acceptable to both sides through a new approach that is not stuck in a traditional way of thinking. I expect constructive and thorough discussions will be held at the upcoming negotiations, building on the recent dialogue at the summit and foreign minister level.

Kamide, Freelance: While this is not a matter that is directly relevant for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I have a question related to the resignation of Mr. Yoichi Masuzoe, Governor of Tokyo. Governor Masuzoe expressed one reservation upon his resignation. His concern was that resigning at this timing would result in the Tokyo gubernatorial election overlapping with the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and those in Tokyo and have a harmful impact on Japan’s national interests. I have two brief questions relating to this. First, do you think the Masuzoe issue is actually having some type of negative impact internationally? Second, the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, strongly supported Mr. Masuzoe as the only choice in the Tokyo gubernatorial election held in 2014. Responsibility for this support is one source of criticism. Additionally, it has been criticized that the resignation was used as a way to try to close this issue and make the problem go away in light of the upcoming Upper House election. What are your thoughts on these points?

Minister Kishida: I am aware that various global media outlets are also addressing the resignation by Governor Masuzoe. However, I do not have any material to assert anything regarding what impact this might have. In any case, I think that this is the result of Governor Masuzoe taking into account the various opinions expressed by the residents of Tokyo regarding the situation and making the appropriate decision.

You also asked about responsibility for supporting him in the previous Tokyo gubernatorial election. Regarding the situations in supporting candidates during the previous Tokyo gubernatorial election, my understanding based on discussions with various people is that support for Governor Masuzoe was led by the Tokyo prefectural branches of the LDP and Komeito. The Japan Trade Union Confederation (RENGO) recommended him as well. This appears to have been the framework at that time. I have been informed that in the election, recommendations were made by the Tokyo prefectural branches of the LDP and Komeito, as well as RENGO. I believe that the related parties will make a decision by fully taking into account the various events this time and opinions of Tokyo residents and firmly grasping the direction desired by Tokyo residents.

Ukai, TV Tokyo: Yesterday a Chinese Navy intelligence-gathering vessel passed through the contiguous zone near Kitadaito Island. When I asked the Ministry of Defense, as of yesterday the ministry said the vessel was still tracking vessels from the Self-Defense Forces, the Indian military and the US military. Could you please explain the Government of Japan’s response to this, including today’s National Security Council (NSC) meeting?

Minister Kishida: The series of Chinese Navy movements began with the recent entry of a Chinese Navy vessel into the contiguous zone to Japan’s territorial sea near the Senkaku Islands, followed by the passage of a Chinese Navy intelligence-gathering vessel through Japan’s territorial sea in the vicinity of Kuchinoerabu- Island and Yaku Island on June 15, and now this passage of the same intelligence-gathering vessel through the contiguous zone near Kitadaito Island. Taking these events into account, we expressed our concerns to the Chinese side that the Chinese military is unilaterally escalating its activities in the waters surrounding Japan. Yesterday at around 7:00 p.m. the Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed its concern to a minister of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo.

With regard to Japan’s response, the Government continues to respond calmly in order to avoid unnecessarily escalating the situation, while resolutely protecting Japan’s territory, territorial sea and territorial airspace. The Government intends to continue to expend all possible efforts in this regard.

Ukai, TV TokyoThe day before yesterday, the Director-General conveyed concerns immediately after the vessel passed by Kuchinoerabu Island, but on the following day a similar event occurred again. In terms of MOFA’s response from here on, when the vessel approached the Senkaku Islands the Vice-Minister lodged a protest directly with Mr. Cheng Yonghua, Ambassador of China to Japan, for example, but from here on, given this succession of events, do you intend to elevate the level of protest, or will you directly lodge a protest or convey concerns as Minister?

Minister Kishida: First, our response to the series of events is as I mentioned just now. Where the future is concerned, we will continue to closely monitor the situation, and we intend to expend all possible efforts to resolutely protect Japan’s territory, territorial sea and territorial airspace. You asked about whether the level and so forth will be elevated, however we intend to closely monitor the situation and then respond appropriately based on the policy I mentioned just now.

Abe, Asahi Shimbun: I have a related question. Despite Japan lodging protests and conveying concerns to China repeatedly up to now, the Chinese side has not ceased its actions. What is your analysis of the Chinese side’s intentions? Also, given this situation in which the Chinese side does not listen to these protests and concerns, do you consider that Japan is being ignored by the Chinese side?

Minister Kishida: We are making thorough efforts to gather and analyze a range of information. However, I would like to refrain from making any definitive comments about China’s intentions here. In any event the Government intends to respond calmly in order to avoid unnecessarily escalating the situation. We intend to closely monitor the situation.

Ukai, TV Tokyo: I have a question on a different topic. Regarding the incident that took place in Uruma City in Okinawa prefecture, the US forces in Japan have partially eased the recent ban on the consumption of alcohol applied to personnel of the US forces in Japan. Please explain your thoughts on the easing of the existing provisional ban on alcohol in the context that a protest assembly will be held this weekend and measures to prevent recurrence have not materialized yet.

Kishida: I think the US side takes the recent incident very seriously and fully understands the need for measures to prevent recurrence and enforce discipline. The question is how to respond to it in such a situation. Japan and the United States are currently holding consultations on the three points confirmed at the recent meeting of defense ministers, including a review of the handling of US citizens with status specified under the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement that extends to civilian personnel. I believe we should advance consultations as quickly as possible with a sense of urgency.

Ukai, TV Tokyo: I wanted to ask about your thoughts on the US forces’ decision to ease the ban on consuming alcohol prior to finalizing responses.

Minister Kishida: I believe the US side will take measures after carefully considering how to prevent recurrence and enforce discipline, as well as what specific measures would be appropriate. I hope that the US side will continue to take actions firmly based on this view.

Takita, Sankei Shimbun: My question concerns the intrusion into the contiguous zone near Kitadaito Island by the Chinese Navy vessel. Looking at China’s approach in the South China Sea and elsewhere, it has built up faits accomplis in this way and has asserted that the territories are its own. It adopts this method of establishing the faits accomplis just mentioned before. Do you consider that the latest events will also lead to a similar situation? Also, I think the passages by a Chinese intelligence-gathering vessel yesterday and on June 15th, in some instances, might constitute a case that is not an innocent passage. What is your recognition in that regard?

Minister Kishida: First, it goes without saying that the Government of Japan intends to expend all possible efforts to resolutely protect Japan’s territory, territorial sea and territorial airspace. The Government will continue to respond firmly. As to the evaluation based on international law, we are still analyzing it. At the present point in time, I would like to refrain from making a definitive assessment. We will undertake thorough analysis.

Takita, Sankei Shimbun: What is your recognition with regard to the accumulation of faits accomplis?

Minister Kishida: We are expending all possible efforts to resolutely protect Japan’s territory, territorial sea and territorial airspace.

Toba, Nippon TV: I have a question related to the US forces in Okinawa. The convention of Okinawa residents is expected to go a step further from its demand to scale back the presence of military bases to appealing for removal of the Marines stationed in Okinawa. While this is what is expected to happen, what is your view of the calls by Okinawan residents, including from the perspective of the review of the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement and its implementation?

Minister Kishida: I think it is important to closely listen to the views of the people of Okinawa. I believe that there are a variety of opinions. The Government must calmly and seriously consider how to respond to it properly, while fully taking into consideration these opinions. We intend to continue to engage in consultations with the US side, and work hard to prevent recurrence and enforce discipline based on these opinions of the people of Okinawa.