Press Conferences

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: On this occasion, I am to continue to serve as Minister for Foreign Affairs in the second reshuffled cabinet of the Third Abe Administration. I am looking forward to continuing to work with you.

In the three years and seven months since my appointment in December 2012, I have visited 75 countries and regions, building trust with foreign ministers around the world and addressing a variety of issues.

Last December, after strenuous negotiations, we were able to reach an agreement on comfort women between Japan and the ROK, enabling us to lay the foundations for constructing new, future-oriented Japan-ROK relations. We issued a powerful message toward a world without nuclear weapons at the G7 Hiroshima Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and were able to bring the G7 Ise-Shima Summit Meeting to a successful conclusion. We were also able to achieve visits to Hiroshima by US President Barack Obama and the G7 Foreign Ministers. I believe that we have been able to enhance Japan’s presence in the international community by undertaking this series of diplomatic efforts.

Based on these results, I intend to continue to promote diplomacy focused on the three pillars of Japan’s foreign policy; that is, strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance, enhancing relations with neighboring countries, and strengthening economic diplomacy as a means of driving the growth of the Japanese economy.

TICAD VI is scheduled to be held at the end of this month, where the leaders and foreign ministers in Africa will come together. Japan is scheduled to host a Japan-China-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Summit by the end of the year. Regarding Japan-Russia relations, we are also making arrangements to realize a visit to Japan by President Putin at an appropriate time. I would like to first achieve successful outcomes for this important diplomatic agenda. Furthermore, Japan serves as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council this year and next year. It is my intention to strategically conduct diplomacy in order to realize our national interests to the maximum possible extent, and to decisively contribute to global peace, stability, and prosperity.

Now, I feel that the security environment surrounding Japan is very severe, as the launching of a ballistic missile by North Korea just this morning demonstrates. Furthermore, there are a mountain of challenges outstanding, including the TPP and the response to the United Kingdom’s leave from the European Union. I intend to continue to steadily make diplomatic achievements in order to secure Japan’s national interest on the basis of the powerful trust and ties that I have created with my counterparts worldwide.

Odanaka, Mainichi Shimbun: I would like to ask you about the issue of North Korea. As you just mentioned, this morning, a ballistic missile was launched, and the ballistic component reached Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for the first time. This is the first such event. Is it your understanding that provocations from North Korea have escalated or entered into a more powerful phase? I would also like to ask you about Japan’s response going forward.

On another point, I would like to ask you about the abductions issue. An agreement was reached in Stockholm after you became foreign minister, but North Korea has announced the dismantling of the special investigation committee, among other matters, as the consequence of Japan’s own sanctions, with the result that the situation has reached a stalemate in my view. What are the Government’s current efforts, and what will be done going forward, how will you be doing this, or what are your thoughts regarding the outcome and the like? Could you tell us?

Foreign Minister Kishida: Regarding your first question, provocative actions such as the series of missile launches have continued. Just this morning, a ballistic missile was launched, and the payload landed in Japan’s EEZ, the first time such a situation has occurred. Taking this situation into consideration, I believe that the possibility further provocation will continue cannot be denied. Therefore, my view is that we must continue to undertake the collection and analysis of a wide range of information with a sense of urgency in cooperation with the United States, the ROK, and other related countries and that we must do the utmost to secure Japan’s peace and safety. I just issued instructions to continue to deal with the matter in a timely and appropriate manner.

As for the abductions issue, Japan’s policy regarding the abductions issue, and policy towards North Korea is based on a principle of “dialogue and pressure” and “action for action” with the aim of a comprehensive resolution to the various outstanding problems such as the abductions, nuclear weapons, and missiles. There is no change whatsoever to this principle. We must continue to work on the basis of this principle. That said, with regard to the abductions issue, it is my understanding that this is an issue for which dialogue is an essential element since we must achieve the return home of all the abductees. We have no intention to cancel the agreement in Stockholm from our side. It is my view that we must continue to firmly and specifically consider what should be done in order to draw out forward-looking, constructive actions from North Korea. I intend to continue to address the abductions issue by taking all possible measures based on the understanding that it is one of the most important issues for the Abe administration.

Takeda, Asahi Shimbun: I would like to ask two questions about nuclear disarmament, an issue that you have undertaken as your life’s work. The first one is about the issue of reducing the role of nuclear weapons. In 2014, you gave a speech at Nagasaki University in which you proposed reducing the role of nuclear weapons. According to reports in The Washington Post and elsewhere, the Obama administration is currently considering no first use of nuclear weapons. I think that this will affect the extended deterrence to Japan. What are your thoughts on no first use by the United States?

My other question has to do with the United Nations (UN) Open-ended working group taking forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations that is being held in Geneva, with Japan also participating. Recommendations will be issued in August, and it appears that there is wording in the current draft to the effect that a majority of countries will seek to start negotiations next year on a legal ban on nuclear weapons. How will Japan deal with this? I would like you to discuss these two points with us.

Foreign Minister Kishida: On the first point, I have talked on various occasions to date about the fundamental concept of reducing the role of nuclear weapons. I believe this is an important fundamental concept. However, there is the matter of how this is to be promoted in specific terms. In this context, I am aware that there are media reports on no first use of nuclear weapons, that there is that discussion in the United States. However, on the specifics, if there are such discussions, I believe that it would be an issue on which there is a need to firmly promote mutual understanding with the United States. I intend to firmly promote mutual understanding with the U.S. Government, including whether such discussions are actually taking place in the United States.

As to the discussions in the open-ended working group in Geneva, it goes without saying that Japan is also focused on the discussions with great interest, and we must seriously consider how we should deal with this issue. Now, another thing that I have been saying is that conclusions cannot be reached without cooperation between nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States, in order to achieve the ultimate goal of a world without nuclear weapons. When we consider that point, what should be understood is that the outcome document of the working group should be an optimal and realistic result of the working group’s discussion. That is what should be considered. I intend to focus on these discussions from that perspective.

Fukai, TBS: I would like to ask you a question in your role as the Chairman of the Kochikai faction. On this occasion, Mr. Kozo Yamamoto also joined the cabinet from the Kochikai faction, of which you are the chairman, bringing the number of its cabinet appointments to two. How do you evaluate this outcome? That is my first question.

On one other point, ex-Minister Ishiba has left the cabinet reportedly in order to prepare for the future election of the (LDP) President. Regarding this vision, what kind of a vision will you be looking for towards this presidential election? Please tell us if you have thoughts on this.

Foreign Minister Kishida: On the first point, it is my sense that there are plenty of superior people in the Kochikai faction who are well-versed in various areas and full of experience. My colleagues and I in the Kochikai faction strongly desire that these members will fulfill their potential as the right people in the right places. However, the reality of personnel affairs is that the number of positions is fixed, and there is the matter of balancing on multiple fronts, so not each and every person can be assigned to a key position. That is the reality. It is within this context that two Kochikai members joined the cabinet this time. It is my strong desire to do steadfast work, work that will not dishonor myself as a member of the Kochikai faction and will securely support the Abe administration, with the significance of the two of us joining the cabinet this time firmly embedded in my mind.

As for Minister Ishiba’s way of thinking, I am aware of that from a variety of news reports. However, I have not heard those thoughts directly from Minister Ishiba, so I am not aware what thoughts of Minister Ishiba led to his action this time, and I believe that I should refrain from saying something about the matter in this kind of setting.

As for myself, as I just mentioned, firmly playing my role and fulfilling my responsibilities as a member of the Kochikai faction; I intend to work in the new cabinet with this sentiment firmly embedded in my mind. That is my view.

Abe, Asahi Shimbun: I have a related question. This is related to the matter of Minister Ishiba that you just talked about. You will soon become the third longest-serving Minister for Foreign Affairs in history. But Mr. Ishiba also is being talked about as a post-Abe candidate, and it is being reported that he firmly declined to join the cabinet this time. Did you not have the option to decline joining the cabinet?

Foreign Minister Kishida: First of all, I will refrain from commenting on Minister Ishiba’s thoughts. As for myself, I believe that it is inappropriate to talk about the process of the personnel assignment. In any case, the conclusion was that I became a member of the cabinet this time. I believe that I must firmly fulfill that responsibility, and I intend to strive to do work that will be highly regarded, work that will not dishonor my membership in the Kochikai. That is my view.

Morifuji, Yomiuri Shimbun: I have a question about the term of office of the President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Today, Mr. Toshihiro Nikai, Secretary-General of the LDP has stated that it will be important to establish a forum for discussion on the term of office of the President of the LDP. As Chairman of the Kochikai faction, what are your views on establishing a forum for such discussions?

Minister Kishida: This is something I have responded to before. The current term of office began in the autumn of last year and runs for three years. We are therefore still at the stage where not even one year of the three-year term has passed. My honest impression is that it is still too early to talk about any point beyond that three-year period. That is all.

Hosokawa, Hokkaido Shimbun: You mentioned Japan-Russia relations in your opening remarks. There are various matters such as the Japan-Russia summit meeting planned to take place in Vladivostok in September and the appropriate timing for a visit to Japan by President Putin. However, there are some elements of Japan-Russia relations that are not straightforward, so I would like to ask you two things: What is your outlook for the kinds of steps that will need to be taken, and could you tell us about your eagerness to advance Japan-Russia negotiations?

If I may, I have a further question. You responded earlier to two points about nuclear issues and with August 6 and August 9 coming up, could you tell us in a broad sense how Japan intends to seek to achieve global nuclear disarmament?

Minister Kishida: To respond to your first question, Russia is an important neighbor for Japan. It is important to engage in efforts that energize and advance Japan-Russia relations in all areas, not just limited to politics and economy. In addition, in Japan-Russia relations, it is also important to encourage Russia to engage constructively in issues facing the international community and to therefore continue the dialogue with Russia. The matter of greatest concern in Japan-Russia relations is the issue of the Northern Territories . To achieve a solution to this issue I believe that engagement and dialogue at the political level are essential, including between leaders and foreign ministers. We must continue to engage in political dialogue and conduct negotiations tenaciously toward the conclusion of a peace treaty with Russia through the resolution of the issue of the attribution of the Four Northern Islands. At the Japan-Russia summit meeting in May this year the two leaders confirmed that they would continue to look for the most suitable timing for a visit to Japan by President Putin. It is important to work to ensure that the items confirmed between the two leaders are realized. As you pointed out, further dialogue between the two leaders is already planned and I believe that through such opportunities it will be possible to coordinate the timing of President Putin’s visit to Japan. That is the way we like to take Japan-Russia relations forward.

With regard to your second point about my concepts for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation ahead of August 6 and 9, as the only country to have suffered atomic bombings in war, Japan bears a great responsibility to engage in strong efforts to realize a world free of nuclear weapons. Japan must exert efforts to this end in the international community, but in a situation in which nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States continue to emphasize their own individual positions, it will be difficult to achieve concrete results toward a world free of nuclear weapons. The point that only when both sides engage in cooperation can results be achieved is one that I have focused on since my appointment as Foreign Minister. From this perspective, I believe that Japan must exert efforts to act as a bridge between nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States and work equally hard to develop an environment that is conducive to cooperation between the two. It is therefore important for Japan to give due thought to the responses or actions it should take at individual international conferences or when facing various challenges. Although I feel that the road ahead will be long and difficult, I want to ensure that Japan continues to advance measures with great resolve toward the realization of a world free of nuclear weapons.