Press Conferences

Reporter: Instructions were given at yesterday’s meeting on promoting cooperation with Russia in the economic field to accelerate preparations for a successful Summit Meeting in December. While APEC is coming up too, how is the coordination of your visit to Russia proceeding? Additionally, President Putin stated that it is impossible to set a deadline for negotiations on concluding a peace treaty with Japan. There was also a media report this morning that the chair of Russia’s State Duma indicated the returning two islands should be the final solution, in an effort to blunt the Japanese side. How do you plan to address the situation?

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: On the first point, we are currently engaged in various coordination and preparations in economic and political areas ahead of President Putin’s visit to Japan in December. Within this context, I plan to organize a Japan-Russia Trade and Economic Intergovernmental Committee meeting in Japan during November with First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov of the Russian Federation. I also hope to visit Russia, if my circumstances permit, to meet with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as part of the preparations. I expect the timing to depend on progress in preparations for the visit by President Putin so it is difficult to offer a clear indication of the date at this point.

As to the second point, I am aware of various comments and other things being reported by the media. However, the leaders of both countries agree that it is not a normal situation to be without concluded a peace treaty between neighboring countries even though 71 years have passed since the end of the war. The Japanese Government has not in any way changed its fundamental policy of resolving the issue of where the four islands belong to and concluding a peace treaty. It intends to continue tenacious negotiations based on this fundamental policy.

Reporter: A working-level discussion regarding a Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) GSOMIA started today. I think the government is aiming for the prompt conclusion of a GSOMIA. How does Japan intend to manage the discussions?

Minister Kishida: As you noted, Japan and the ROK are holding discussions today. Japan knows that it is very important for the two countries to cooperate in national security in light of North Korea’s nuclear weapons testing, missile development, and other problems. Japan thus hopes to advance in national security cooperation between the two countries, including a prompt arrangement of a GSOMIA as you mentioned. However, I would like to refrain from commenting on timing or other content at this point because the specific schedule depends on the negotiations. In light of the importance of Japan-ROK security cooperation, I intend to advance such initiatives.

Reporter: Media sources are reporting new activity related to the development of gas fields in the East China Sea. Please explain your view of the current situation and the government’s response.

Minister Kishida: China has put a drilling ship into waters on the Chinese side of the equidistance line between Japan and China in the East China Sea and is conducting some type of activity. This is what we have confirmed. The Japan Coast Guard issued a navigation warning on October 28 to ensure the safety of vessels navigating in the area. Japan is very disappointed that China continues its unilateral actions to development at a time when the sea boundary line between Japan and China has not been finalized, despite our numerous requests. Japan immediately lodged a protest against this action with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels. Japan has repeatedly urged the Chinese side to stop this type of activity and will continue making such requests.

Reporter: There is a media report that Mr. Kosuke Tsuneoka, a Japanese journalist, was detained in Iraq. Please explain what the government knows at this point and Mr. Tsuneoka’s current state and personal safety.

Minister Kishida: I am aware that Mr. Tsuneoka is currently being detained by authorities of the Kurdish regional authorities. The Japanese Government is taking necessary actions from the standpoint of protecting a Japanese national. Japan is taking with various steps, such as requesting consular contact through the Japanese Embassy in Iraq. I would like to refrain from discussing the details because the case is being investigated by local authorities. Once again, the Japanese Government is taking necessary actions to protect a Japanese national.