Press Conferences

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: In order to further strengthen the relationship that we have already established with the Trump team ahead of the inauguration of the new administration in the United States, including preparations for the meeting between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President-elect Trump that we are arranging on November 17 in New York, we have decided to dispatch Mr. Takeo Akiba, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, to the United States to hold consultations with persons related to the new administration.

Since this presidential election was expected to be a close one, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been building relationships with people in both camps from an early stage.

As a result, our embassy in Washington has already established a close relationship with associates and influential advisors of Mr. Trump, and we are pleased that the telephone talk held between Prime Minister Abe and President-elect Trump yesterday was one of the first telephone talks that President-elect Trump held with government leaders worldwide.

We intend to continue to communicate closely with the Trump team.

Minister Kishida: The 12th Meeting of the Japan-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Issues is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November 15 in Tokyo with Mr. Igor Shuvalov of the Russian Federation.

Japan-Russia relations are on a path towards further development after the holding of Japan-Russia summit meetings in Sochi in May and in Vladivostok in September. We are currently working together in many economic areas, including working out the details of the eight-point cooperation plan.

The Intergovernmental Committee is a forum for comprehensive discussions between Japan and Russia at the political level concerning economic issues. We hope to hold fruitful discussions at this meeting as well.

Regarding the issue of concluding a peace treaty, the Japanese and Russian sides are holding active discussions in preparation for a visit to Japan by President Putin of the Russian Federation, based on the results of the negotiations held in June and August, and the Japan-Russia Summit Meeting held in September.

Reporter: I would like to ask you about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The House of Representatives approved the bill to ratify the TPP Agreement yesterday, and the House of Councillors will begin deliberations on the subject today. At the same time, in the United States, Mr. Trump, who is strongly opposed to the TPP, has been elected the next president, while the Republican Party also has majorities in both the House and the Senate, making its entry into force very difficult and the way forward uncertain. Could you give us your views on starting deliberations under these circumstances?

Minister Kishida: First, I believe that the TPP is intended to create rules for economic partnership fit for the 21st century, and is an agreement that has major significance both economically and strategically. Currently, the leaders of the 12 participating countries are united in their efforts to achieve its early entry into force, and President Barack Obama is continuing his efforts to achieve ratification in the United States. I believe that it is self-evident that Japan must also strive together with the other 11 countries to achieve its entry into force.

Furthermore, it is my view that the TPP will serve as the model for other economic partnerships, such as the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), discussions of which are ongoing. I believe that the TPP will serve as the model in the discussions on these mega FTAs going forward. Thus, I believe that the Japanese stance of attaching importance to the TPP will remain unchanged, including with regard to Japan exercising leadership in future discussions on economic partnerships.

Reporter: I have a question regarding Mr. Trump, who has been elected to be the next President of the United States. It is my understanding that Deputy Minister Akiba will go to the United States and initiate working level consultations. However, given that Mr. Trump has strongly demanded that Japan increase its host nation support for the U.S. forces in Japan, among other reasons, I believe that he might demand a fundamental review of the Japan-U.S. Alliance. The telephone talk with Prime Minister Abe was held yesterday, and it has been two days since Mr. Trump was elected as the next President. Under these circumstances, could you please explain the diplomatic posture of Japan with Mr. Trump as President and how the Government of Japan will respond?

Minister Kishida: I believe that it is too early to make predictions about the various specific policies, including those related to security issues, of the next administration, which will be inaugurated next year. However, it is positive that the telephone talk that I just referred to took place so early, yesterday. There is also an early face-to-face meeting scheduled on the 17th. I believe that we should take these opportunities to firmly convey our views to the other side. We need to take such steps. I believe it is important to take the approach of using these opportunities to firmly convey our views to the other side.

Reporter: You mentioned the US Presidential election. Mr. Trump has been making very favorable comments regarding Mr. Putin. It is my understanding that Japan and Russia will hold negotiations on the Northern Territories, among other discussions. Do you think these will be influenced in any way?

Minister Kishida: At this point in time I would like to refrain from making any presumptive comments about the next administration. That said, regarding Japan-Russia relations, it has been 71 years since the end of World War II, yet a peace treaty still has not been concluded. The leaders of the two countries agree that this is not a normal situation, and we are currently dealing with this matter. Regarding this political dialogue between Japan and Russia, we have continued to explain our thinking and our efforts to the United States on many levels beginning with the President, Vice President, and so on. Later, when the new administration is inaugurated, I believe that we must continue to explain our efforts with care. We intend to continue to strive to communicate closely.

Reporter: Concerning the dispatch of Deputy Minister Akiba, specifically when will he be dispatched, and who will be his counterparts?

Minister Kishida: The details are currently being worked out, but I assume that he will be conducting activities in the United States next week. The details are currently being coordinated.

Reporter: I have a question about the relationship between Japan and India. A summit meeting is scheduled today with Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, and some media sources are reporting that the two countries might sign a nuclear cooperation agreement, which has been an outstanding issue. Please explain the current state of Japan’s review and whether the Cabinet has approved signing an agreement or not. Additionally, your hometown Hiroshima has also criticized and expressed concern about concluding a nuclear cooperation agreement with a country that is not a member of the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Have your concerns been resolved?

Minister Kishida: A Japan-India Summit Meeting is scheduled today. Given that this is a summit meeting, I would like to refrain from making any speculative comments in my position. I believe the two leaders will discuss the point you mentioned. I would also like to refrain from offering my assessment of a nuclear cooperation agreement because nothing has been announced yet.

Reporter: I understand that you wish to refrain from discussing the nuclear cooperation agreement between Japan and India that is under consideration today. However, the Japanese Government is moving forward on nuclear cooperation agreements with other countries too and took a stance against a resolution on a treaty to ban nuclear weapons in New York last week. Do you think Japanese people will accept these policies, given that Japan is the only country to suffer wartime atomic bombings and in light of its harsh experience from the Fukushima accident?

Minister Kishida: Japan has consistently continued to carefully explain its views regarding nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. As to concluding a nuclear cooperation agreement, I think it is important to properly understand the nature of a nuclear cooperation agreement. Such agreements set out rules regarding the peaceful use of nuclear power. I believe it is vital for Japan to move forward with its policies while promoting an understanding of the meaning of a nuclear cooperation agreement. The Government intends to continue providing careful explanations.

Reporter: I have a question about passports. The Cabinet Office’s administrative review will be addressing the high fee charged for issuing passports. What are your thoughts as the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the entity that issues passports?

Minister Kishida: I am aware of the discussion of passport-related operations taking place tomorrow, November 12, in the Annual Autumn Disclosure Review or “Autumn Review.” I hope that the review conducts an in-depth discussion of the nature of passport-related operations. You also mentioned the passport fee. The fee is set following deliberations in the Diet that consider the suitability of the amount from the standpoint of fairness regarding the use of public services. I think it is important to take into account these discussions and to adopt a stance of continually reassessing and reviewing the situation in light of such discussions. I will be observing the direction of the discussions.

Reporter: You mentioned an opportunity to build a new Japan-US economic relationship, when you received recommendations from the Study Group on Japan-U.S. Economy earlier. What specifically are you imagining?

Minister Kishida: Just as with the topic of security mentioned earlier, it is difficult to say anything conclusively about the specific policies of the next administration at this stage. In any case, I think it is important for Japan to thoroughly express its views. The same is true for security and economic policies. That was the point of my remarks earlier.

Reporter: Does that include the TPP?

Minister Kishida: My previous comment indicated that it is important to fully communicate Japan’s views on all issues. It is important for Japan to maintain communications and build trust with the next administration, and thoroughly explain our views. Japan’s aim at this stage is first ensuring that we fully communicate our views.