Press Conferences

Reporter: Please explain your impression and thoughts about the Japan-China Summit Meeting held yesterday. While Prime Minister Shinzo Abe clearly expressed concerns about China’s maritime advances, do you believe China will exercise self-control in its actions?

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: The Japan-China Summit Meeting took place on September 5. The two leaders agreed to promote dialogue and cooperation based on the concept of a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests” and broaden interactions ahead of the 45th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations next year and the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China in the following year, and enhance mutual trust and improve national sentiment.

Regarding the East China Sea situation, Prime Minister Abe asked for an end to actions that unilaterally raise tensions and for an improvement of the situation. In response, Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, commented that China qill maintain peace and stability in the East China Sea. The two leaders also agreed to accelerate discussions between defense authorities on Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism and to discuss resuming negotiations based on the “2008 Agreement” related to the development of natural resources in the East China Sea. Japan intends to continue monitoring the situation in the East China Sea, including in light of the discussions and points of agreement between the two leaders.

Reporter: Next, I have a question about Japan and Russia. Mr. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation, expressed interest in advancing negotiations on the Northern Territories issue in line with the Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration. What is your impression of this stance?

Minister Kishida: I am aware of President Putin’s comment. My understanding is that at the Japan-Russia Summit Meeting held in Vladivostok on September 2, the two leaders put a lot of time into discussions on the Northern territories issue that present a foundation for detailed negotiations based on a new approach in a frank atmosphere, despite the seriousness. Following this exchange between the two leaders, Japan must continue tenacious negotiations from the standpoint of resolving the issue of the attribution of the Four Northern Islands and concluding a peace treaty, which is our basic stance.

Reporter: President Putin will visit Japan in December. How do you intend to prepare for the visit as Foreign Minister?

Minister Kishida: President Putin will visit Japan on December 15. The two leaders agreed on and disclosed this point. While the schedule has been announced, we must work on preparing and discussing the content of the discussions at a variety of levels. We intend to thoroughly prepare at various levels in light of this schedule.

Reporter: What is Japan’s goal in the upcoming working-level discussions related to joint development in the East China Sea? Also, what is your outlook, including for Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism?

Minister Kishida: On the development of resources, the two leaders agreed to hold high-level consultation on maritime affairs in Hiroshima on September 14 and use this opportunity to discuss resume negotiations regarding the conclusion of an international agreement based on the “2008 Agreement” related to the development of natural resources in the East China Sea. We must wait and see the content of high-level consultation on maritime affairs on September 14. The first meeting under the “2008 Agreement” took place in 2010, but there have not been any other meetings since then. My view is that the agreement to discuss whether to resume the negotiations at the high-level consultation on maritime affairs indicates some progress.

On the East China Sea, the two leaders spoke about making it a “Sea of Peace, Cooperation, and Friendship” and maintaining peace and stability in the East China Sea. Japan will be closely monitoring conditions in light of the exchanges between the two leaders.

Reporter: Is Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism in its final stage?

Minister Kishida: This type of discussion opportunity is very important in regard to Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism, considering the current situation and conditions in the East China Sea. There was also an agreement to mutually and proactively cooperate toward a prompt start of Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism in the meeting with Dr. Li Keqiang, the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, in Seoul in November 2015. This time, the agreement called for an acceleration of discussions for an early start in using the mechanism in a meeting with President Xi. I think this is a meaningful development.

Reporter: I have another question about Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism. You said that the two leaders shared the view to accelerate discussions toward a prompt start. What is the Japanese side thinking in terms of timing? Is it within the year? Will you be engaging in the negotiations with some type of goal?

Minister Kishida: There are discussions with the other party. I think Japan will obviously seek an early start and put its efforts into starting its use as soon as possible.

Reporter: Going back to Japan-Russia relationship, you mentioned the timing of the visit to Japan by President Putin was decided and referred to the Vladivostok meeting as a meeting that laid a foundation. What results does the Japanese government expect in December as it prepares for the meeting?

Minister Kishida: I would like to refrain from prejudging at this stage, particularly since it is a Summit Meeting. However, Japan intends to put earnest efforts toward the achievement of major results at the December visit. I am also aware of talk of a possible meeting between the leaders in November too. Japan must thoroughly prepare at a variety of levels including in light of this Summit Meeting schedule. I, as Foreign Minister, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be working hard on this effort.

Reporter: I have a question about the Paris Agreement. What is Japan’s view of the fact that the United States and China agreed to ratify the agreement? How will Japan fulfill its responsibilities under the framework? What is your outlook for Japan’s ratification schedule?

Minister Kishida: Japan places considerable emphasis on the Paris Agreement as a very important framework. The recent G7 Ise-Shima Summit Leaders’ Declaration called for efforts to achieve the goal of having the agreement take effect during this year and an early conclusion. Japan is currently reviewing the specific conclusion timing. I expect it will be submitted to the National Diet as quickly as possible.