Press Conferences

Reporter: There was a major train crash in New Jersey, and I have heard about one Japanese person being affected. Please provide an update on the current situation and the response of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: A train accident, as you noted, occurred at around 9 a.m. on September 29 (local time). I am aware of local media reports indicating that at least one person died and about 100 people were injured. Regarding injuries to Japanese nationals, my understanding from the Consulate General of Japan in New York is that a Japanese national residing in the U.S. in his 50s was injured and is receiving treatment at a hospital. I have been informed that the injury is not life-threatening.

The Consulate General of Japan in New York is interacting with parties related to the injured person and offering necessary assistance. It is also providing information on the accident and issuing warnings to stay away from the accident site to Japanese nationals living in the area. These are the main responses.

Reporter: I have a question about relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK). A spokesman for the ROK’s Foreign Ministry mentioned expectations for “emotional measures” to heal the emotional damage felt by former comfort women. I think this comment refers to a possible letter from Prime Minister Abe. Please explain the MOFA response to this matter.

Minister Kishida: I am aware of the point you raised. A Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting took place on June 19. the two sides agreed at this meeting and others on the importance of steady implementation of the agreement between Japan and the ROK. The agreement between Japan and the ROK was announced in December 2015, and that was the content. The two sides have not reached any agreement on additional measures.

I believe it is important for Japan and the ROK to implement their respective aspects of the agreement made at the end of last year.

Reporter: I have a question about the U.S. presidential election. The two candidates held the first presidential debate on TV and started debating the issues directly. Please explain your thoughts about this and what you are expecting from the discussions. Additionally, the Japan-U.S. Alliance was a topic, and Mr. Donald Trump, one of the candidates, called again for an increase in the portion of costs that Japan covers for U.S. troops stationed in Japan at the first TV debate. However, Japan is already shouldering about 70% and some observers point out that the comments are divorced from reality. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had an opportunity to directly speak to Mrs. Hillary Clinton about policy in New York. Is the Japanese government responding to Mr. Trump in any way? Or what type of response is it considering?

Minister Kishida: Regarding my expectations for the presidential debates, the U.S. presidential race is currently taking place and I would like to refrain from making specific comments. I think the U.S. presidential election is one that has a variety of impacts on the world, and the debates offer an opportunity to witness the dynamism of democracy in the United States. I intend to closely monitor the situation.

As to the comment on costs for U.S. troops stationed in Japan, I would like to refrain from directly addressing this point as noted above. Regarding costs for U.S. troops stationed in Japan, the importance of the Japan-U.S. Alliance is steadily growing amid an increasingly difficult security environment. Within this context, the Japan-U.S. security arrangements do not constitute a framework in which just one side benefits, and I hence believe that costs for stationing the U.S. troops should be shared in an appropriate manner between the two countries.

The meeting with Mrs. Clinton that you mentioned was a response to a request from her side. Regardless of who wins in the election – Mr. Trump or Mrs. Clinton – the importance of the Japan-U.S. Alliance will remain unchanged. I intend to continue monitoring developments in the election at this point, and I believe it is also necessary to continue to explore contact with people related to both camps.

Reporter: I expect a pick-up of traveling back and forth by senior officials of the Japanese and Russian governments from October through the end of 2016. I think these interactions will seek a resolution of the territorial issue between Japan and Russia, please explain your hopes for your visit to Russia.

Minister Kishida: The biggest issues for the Japan-Russia relationship are the northern territories issue and the issue of concluding a peace treaty. For Japan’s diplomacy too, the northern territories issue and conclusion of a peace treaty are top diplomatic issues. While Japan and Russia have agreed on a visit by President Vladimir Vladimirovich to Japan on December 15, I think the two sides must continue to earnestly discuss these matters in light of the schedule. I want to refrain from any predictions because this involves another party, but Japan intends to firmly engage in this issue.