Press Conferences

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I will visit New York during September 18-23 and attend the UN General Assembly. I will chair the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and participate in the Japan-US-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the G4 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the Friends of the CTBT Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the Japan-CARICOM Ministerial-Level Conference, and other events, and I intend to actively express Japan’s views on global issues facing the international community, such as the North Korean nuclear and missile issues, including the response to North Korea’s recent nuclear test.

Additionally, I plan to hold bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of the ROK, Australia, Pakistan, Indonesia, and other countries in New York, and possible meetings with the Foreign Ministers of other countries are currently under discussion. Japan intends to seek understanding of its positions on regional situations, particularly East Asia, which includes North Korea, and the Middle East, as well as global issues.

Minister Kishida: The Government has decided to establish a Network on overseas safety measures for small- and medium-sized enterprises aimed at strengthening safety measures for small- and medium-sized enterprises at overseas sites, following the discussions by the Task Force on Bolstering Safety Measures for Japanese Nationals Overseas formed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the wake of the Dhaka terrorist attack in July. It plans to hold the first meeting in late September.

Kamide, Freelance: Related to the nuclear issue, I have a question about the issue of no-first-use of nuclear weapons. In August, a US newspaper reported that Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, expressed concern about President Obama’s statement about no-first-use of nuclear weapons, but Prime Minister Abe disputed this view. Media sources subsequently reported in September that President Obama intends to rethink a no-first-use of nuclear weapons policy. There are also media reports that MOFA is against the same position – namely, against a no-first-use of nuclear weapons policy. Please explain your view of the facts in light of the above points and the point regarding MOFA’s stance and your opinion on this issue.

Minister Kishida: I am aware of the various media reports that you mentioned regarding the issue of a no-first-use of nuclear weapons policy. However, I would like to refrain from commenting specifically on each of these media reports, and it is my understanding that the United States has not made any official decision regarding no-first-use of nuclear weapons. I would like to refrain from making comments on this matter at a point in which there has not been a decision. Japan and the United States strive to maintain close understanding on this and other topics on a regular basis, and Japan intends to continue to maintain close communication.

Kamide, Freelance: Can I understand from your comments that MOFA is not against it, as suggested by the media report, at this stage.

Minister Kishida: As I just mentioned, I would like to refrain from commenting on media reports. Japan and the United States are working to strengthen the Japan-US Security Arrangements at various opportunities, and we also share the goal of seeking “a world without nuclear weapons.” Japan intends to continue to pursue close communication.

Ichikawa, Jiji Press: Some media reports are saying that Japan, the United States, and the ROK are pressing for a total embargo on crude oil and a ban on imports of coal and mineral resources from North Korea as sanctions. Please confirm the related facts.

Minister Kishida: Regarding the response to North Korea, particularly after its fifth nuclear weapon test on September 9, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting and issued a press statement and agreed on beginning discussion of a new resolution, including further sanctions measures. Japan is hoping for solid progress in these discussions. As to independent sanctions by individual countries, Japan is already applying strict measures that effectively restrict flows of people, money, and goods. We are reviewing all possibilities, including expansion and reinforcement of these measures, as future actions. There are still various discussions taking place on specific points such as what you just mentioned, but nothing has been decided yet. Japan intends to make contributions to the discussion at the UN Security Council and also plans to consider a variety of possibilities for itself.

Tanaka, Chugoku Shimbun: I have a question about the UN General Assembly. While the last working group meeting adopted a resolution to begin negotiations aimed at a legal ban on nuclear weapons next year, I would imagine that a resolution for starting negotiations next year will be submitted to the General Assembly too following this decision and a vote will be taken on its adoption. How does Japan plan to respond to this activity? MOFA has presented an official stance that it is still too early for a legal ban thus far. Is this still Japan’s view? Also, please explain the reasoning again.

Minister Kishida: I expect discussions regarding nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation to take place in a variety of contexts at the United Nations. Regarding your question addresses the discussion of a legal ban, Japan has been calling for a realistic and pragmatic approach in order to achieve specific results in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation on the basis that concrete results cannot be achieved without the cooperation of nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear- weapon states.

Japan has been implementing initiatives based on a view of trying to find ways to advance the discussion of how to realize “a world without nuclear weapons” from this perspective. I believe we will respond to specific meetings and decisions in line with the approach I just described. We will decide what Japan has to do after thoroughly reviewing the specific discussion.

Koike, TV Asahi: I have a question about the follow-up after the recent Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk. The explanation on China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ webpage largely adheres to China’s existing stance of being against one-sided sanctions and placing emphasis on dialogue. Please explain your thoughts about this follow-up to the telephone talk and China’s stance as well as the expectations you have for China at the United Nations from next week.

Minister Kishida: At the Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, we had frank exchanges of views on various points over 30 minutes. While I must refrain from talking about the details of the discussion, the two sides confirmed that we would collaborate with the Security Council toward the adoption of a new Security Council resolution, including further sanctions.

Discussions are continuing in the Security Council. Japan is calling on China to act as a responsible permanent member of the Security Council in these discussions, and Japan also plans to make solid contributions as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. We will be focusing on the conclusion reached as the result of these discussions and intend to continue engaging fully in the discussions.

Tanaka, Chugoku Shimbun: Regarding the previous issue, you have been arguing for the importance of cooperation between nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear- weapon states. Yet over 100 countries agreed on the resolution this time. A deep divide exists, as you noted. What is your view of the current situation?

Minister Kishida: I myself have felt the differences of opinions or disputes between nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states at various forums, including last year’s NPT Review Conference. However, my view is that this is precisely why Japan, as the only country to suffer wartime atomic bombings, has a role to play in working diligently toward moving the discussion forward and delivering specific results. I strongly feel that looking at the current situation, Japan needs to pursue an even more realistic and pragmatic approach to discover the best way of obtaining further cooperation between nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear- weapon states. I think Japan must continue its efforts to lead the global discussion with a thorough awareness of this role.

Tanaka, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun: It will be one year since passage of the Legislation for Peace and Security on September 19. Please explain again the significance of the Legislation for Peace and Security, the security environment facing Japan, which remains difficult, and future issues.

Minister Kishida: Discussions regarding the Legislation for Peace and Security, which addressed capabilities that Japan needs in order to protect the lives and livelihoods of its people in a difficult security environment as well as the extent to which Japan can respond in the context of the peace constitution, took place for more than 200 hours in the National Diet in order to adequately explain the situation to the Japanese people. While it passed, I believe it is still necessary to continue to explain the importance of this legislation. About the importance of the legislation, the Government must pay attention to the reaction in Japan and continue its effort for gaining understanding, yet many countries worldwide have offered favorable views of Japan’s such initiative and I think it is important to explain this international reaction and to continue efforts to improve understanding of the legislation.

The Government must also continue to sufficiently explain that this is a very important initiative as a vital political action in order to protect the lives and livelihood of Japanese people in a difficult security environment and adequately contribute to global peace and stability.

Takigawa, NHK: This question deviates slightly from diplomacy. I would like to ask about two points related to the LDP President’s term. The LDP will be starting discussions of extending the party president’s term next week. What are your thoughts about this activity?

Minister Kishida: I think it is good for the LDP to discuss a variety of issues freely and extensively. I will continue to monitor the discussion to see where it leads.

Takigawa, NHK: You are one of the post-Abe candidates, and I think you have expressed interest in a post-Abe opportunity in your comments at the recent seminar held by the Kochikai faction that it should strive for a Kochikai administration someday. The next LDP presidential election is two years from now. Do you intend to be preparing for the next election?

Minister Kishida: I explained at the recent Kochikai seminar that balanced politics is important and that balanced politics provides reassurance to the public, which then leads to trust in politics, a key point. I also added that the Kochikai faction should take on the role of realizing balanced politics someday. Yet, this is still something that is two years away and it is difficult to predict what conditions will exist in two years from now. I think it is difficult to have a discussion about two years from now at this point, and this is all that I would like to say for now.