Press Conferences

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Today, the Joint Memorial Service for those who lost their lives in the terrorist incident in Dhaka on July 1 will be held, and I will be attending. I wish to offer once again my sincere condolences to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and their families, and to express my heartfelt sympathy for those who were injured.

The Government of Japan is determined to continue its support for Bangladesh and other developing countries, but to do so, there is an urgent need to review the safety measures for the people involved. We have been conducting deliberations in the Council on Safety Measures for International Cooperation Projects, which was established under me, while also hearing the views of experts from the private sector, and I received an interim report yesterday.

The Ministry will firmly continue to make efforts following the direction suggested in the interim report so that I can receive the final report in August.

In addition, as for safety measures for overseas Japanese nationals in general, I instructed that the state of implementation of the measures that had been compiled last year be examined. I expect to receive the report from Mr. Masakazu Hamachi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, today.

Japan will resolutely not tolerate terrorism. We intend to work together with the international community and take all possible measures to eradicate terrorism and protect the safety of overseas Japanese nationals.

Fukai, TBS: Regarding the bid for the coal-fired power plant financed by Japanese ODA in Bangladesh, there has been a significant impact including the delay of the bidding process. Could you tell us what the plans for the bid are and how you will proceed with support for Bangladesh?

Minister Kishida: There is no change whatsoever in the Japanese policy to engage in a wide range of assistance and contributions, including development cooperation, with developing countries. This wide range of assistance and cooperation is an important aspect of Japan’s diplomatic efforts in the international community, and I believe that it is important to continue to implement this thoroughly. The safety of personnel and Japanese nationals is a most important prerequisite for this, so we are conducting a variety of studies and reviews, and taking steps to this end.

As for undertaking the specific project that you referred to, the circumstances differ from country to country, project to project, so we must carefully deal with each individual case. The Japanese Government intends to exert our utmost efforts, while thoroughly promoting our fundamental idea that I have mentioned in the international community.

Takeda, Asahi Shimbun: Regarding the terrorist attack in Dhaka, on this occasion, the Government initially refrained from making the names of the people who lost their lives public. I would like to confirm anew the reason for this and whether the government will act similarly and refrain from making the names public if a similar incident occurs in the future, or whether it will be taking a case-by-case approach?

Minister Kishida: When an incident like this occurs, we believe that it is important to respect the privacy of the victims and their families, and, above all, the wishes of the families who are being placed under very difficult circumstances. This case was no exception, and we dealt with the matter in the way that you mentioned. Regarding the provision of such information, it is important to provide the necessary information to the Japanese citizens, but we must also give consideration to the points that I just mentioned. This balance is important in my view.

Our actions on this occasion are the result of the decisions made in light of this balance. Each case has its specific circumstances, but it is our intent going forward to continue to respond appropriately within this line of thinking, in light of this balance.

Kamide, freelance: I would like to ask you about the Tokyo gubernatorial election. Ms. Yuriko Koike has been newly elected as Governor. Her predecessor Mr. Masuzoe very much emphasized city diplomacy and carried out many efforts in this regard. This resulted in a large amount of overseas travel costs, for which he was criticized. I have two simple questions in this regard. It is my understanding that Governor Koike is also fluent in foreign languages, and that she has great interest in international affairs. From your perspective, do you have any requests or expectations for the new Governor, including with regard to the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which are certainly a significant matter? That is my first question. In addition, I have a question on a related matter, regarding cooperation between the national government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on diplomacy. You have observed many things in this regard and there were conflicts while the Democratic Party of Japan was in power. In light of this, do you have anything that you would like to emphasize regarding such cooperation? If you have something to say about cooperation between the two, I would like to hear your views.

Minister Kishida: I believe that in hosting the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is necessary not only for the host city but also the Government in its entirety to lead the Games to success, under an “All-Japan” effort. I believe that it is necessary for all parties to fulfil their respective roles. We must make concerted efforts together with Tokyo, the host city, to ensure their success.

With regard to diplomacy in general, I believe that cooperation between the Government and the central city is extremely important. Mr. Masuzoe, the previous Governor, used the term “city diplomacy.” It is my understanding that Ms. Koike, the new Governor, also possesses wide-ranging and extensive diplomatic experience. I expect that we will listen carefully to the efforts and positioning that the new Governor will assume with regard to diplomacy, based on which we will consider what specifically the Government can do to cooperate. I have been informed that this is the first day for Governor Koike at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office. I intend to pay close attention to Governor Koike’s diplomatic efforts and her approach.

Okuma, Kyodo News: Would you please discuss the state of the coordination of the date of the Japan-China-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting that is scheduled to be held around late August, and what sort of discussions you expect will take place at that meeting?

Minister Kishida: First, last year a Japan-China-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Summit Meeting were held for the first time in a long time, and it has been decided that Japan will serve as the Chair of the Japan-China-ROK Summit Meeting and Foreign Ministers’ Meeting this year. We are continuing to make efforts in order to hold a Japan-China-ROK Summit Meeting in Japan this year, and are continuing to coordinate to hold a Japan-China-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as a precursor to that.

Regarding a specific date, coordination is still taking place. It is not settled yet. However, at the Japan-China-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting I by all means hope to hold discussions that will lead on to the Japan-China-ROK Summit Meeting. I intend to make it a meeting at which frank exchanges of views take place on various cooperative projects as well as various challenges between the three countries of Japan, China and the ROK. The specific content to be discussed will have to be coordinated and worked out from here on alongside the schedule, I believe.

Kurihara, NHK: A Cabinet reshuffle and appointments of party officials are expected to be carried out tomorrow. As a member of the Abe administration’s Cabinet, and in light of the various challenges that Japan is currently facing, what sort of Cabinet do you think will be suitable as the next Cabinet?

Minister Kishida: In my position I am not sure that it is appropriate for me to comment in some way about the circumstances of the Cabinet overall, but as the Prime Minister himself has also been saying, in the recent election of the House of Councillors, much of the public placed their expectations on the ruling parties and supported them. I believe we must thoroughly fulfil those expectations. I am aware that those expectations are related to a variety of matters, but as you might expect, I think a major expectation was that the Government will work firmly on boosting the vitality of Japanese society, beginning with the economy.

In any event, I believe it will have to be a Cabinet that firmly responds to the expectations that were expressed during the recent House of Councillors election, and the matters toward which citizens displayed expectations. In any case, this pertains to the initiatives of the next Cabinet and I am sure that the Prime Minister and each member of the next Cabinet will consider them carefully and in detail.

Kurihara, NHK: This is a question on a different topic. A Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) division meeting took place a short time ago. Some attendees stated at the meeting that regarding the ROK’s foundation for the comfort women, the removal of the statue of the girl is an important factor in terms of fulfilling the agreement between Japan and the ROK, and that Japan should encourage the ROK side to remove the statue. However, when it comes to establishing the foundation and fulfilling the agreement between Japan and the ROK that you, Minister, brought about, I do not think it is a matter for the ROK side alone. The Japanese side will have to provide explanations as well as part of the process. Could you please discuss what sorts of explanations will be made to domestic LDP officials, and what explanations will be made domestically, with regard to the statue of the girl and so on?

Minister Kishida: Regarding the point that you raised, firstly, a foundation was established on July 28 based on the Japan-ROK agreement, and coordination is currently taking place between the Governments of Japan and the ROK in connection with the implementation of this foundation’s operations. The details of the implementation of those operations and the timing of the provision of funds from the Japanese side that is contained in the agreement are still undecided at present.

You asked about the issue of the foundation and relocating the statue of the girl, but in any event the content of what was stated by the two countries’ Foreign Ministers at the joint press conference in December last year is the content of the Japan-ROK agreement. What is important is that each side responsibly fulfills that content. We intend to continue making efforts to carefully explain this effort to the citizens of both countries. The Japanese side must also responsibly engage in implementing the content of the agreement, and in the process of doing that, we by all means intend to continue providing careful explanations to Japanese citizens as well as the parties concerned.

Abe, Asahi Shimbun: The Cabinet will be reshuffled tomorrow, and I think your standing as a future candidate for Prime Minister is quite well established. In that respect, in this round of Cabinet appointments, if you are asked about it by the Prime Minister in some way, do you think you would intentionally move outside the Cabinet? Was that or is that an option?

Minister Kishida: Various decisions will be made and exchanges will be held before the appointments are officially announced. Above all else, the appointments are the Prime Minister’s decision. I do not think it would be appropriate for me to make any comment at this stage, before the official announcement has taken place. I would like to refrain from commenting about the appointments until the official announcement.