Press Conferences

Reporter: I have a question about the Japan-Russia relationship. I think you will be visiting Russia soon. It is said that you will meet with or pay a courtesy call on President Vladimir Putin at that time. What is the current state of trip coordination? Also, what do you plan to discuss and how do you intend to lay the groundwork for the Japan-Russia Summit Meeting on December 15?

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: The two sides agreed at the Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting during the United Nations General Assembly in September that I would visit Russia as part of preparations for President Putin’s visit to Japan. Coordination has taken place on this basis, and I think it has arrived at the final stage. However, I would like to refrain from making presumptive comments on the specific schedule or the meeting content because it is still in the final stage of coordination. However, the original purpose is preparation for President Putin’s visit to Japan, and I believe it is important to hold a meeting that ensures the President Putin’s December visit is meaningful. I hope to discuss the peace treaty issue and other matters.

Reporter: The next question is Japan-China Security Dialogue. A meeting took place in Beijing yesterday, and Japanese and Chinese diplomatic authorities have a meeting today as well. I assume that the previous talks addressed the Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism, an issue of concern between Japan and China. Could you explain progress with the Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism and also review the significance of Japan-China security dialogue in the context of unusual flight activity over Okinawa by China and other developments?

Minister Kishida: Yesterday Japan and China held the 14th Japan-China Security Dialogue. This was the first dialogue in a year and a half. I have been informed that the two sides conducted a meaningful exchange of views regarding their security and defense policies, security interactions and cooperation, and security conditions, among others. Regarding the Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism that you cited, Japan continues to make efforts toward an early start to operating this mechanism. We intend to continue these efforts.

Reporter: What are your thoughts about unusual flight activity, albeit without violating airspace, by the Chinese side and the current situation in which this type of behavior is occurring while the talks are taking place?

Minister Kishida: We are closely monitoring various activities and are responding appropriately with information gathering and other measures.

However, the leaders of Japan and China agreed to seek improvements in our relationship in light of key commemorative years with the 45th anniversary of the normalization of ties between the two countries next year and the 40th anniversary of concluding the Japan-China Peace Treaty in 2018. This was the first Japan-China Security Dialogue in a year and a half, and the two sides are conducting other activities to enhance mutual understanding and trust in security areas as well. I believe these are meaningful efforts. Japan intends to continue accumulating these efforts and also carefully monitoring the situation.

Reporter: The ruling parties agreed to extend the National Diet session, and this means the TPP should pass automatically. What are your thoughts about the TPP?

Minister Kishida: As I have explained numerous times in the special committee’s discussions, TPP has very important economic and strategic meaning. Additionally, all the participating countries, including the United States, agreed at the recent TPP Summit Meeting to move forward with domestic procedures, and I think the Government must continue its efforts to gain approval in the current Diet session. Whether it passes automatically or not depends on the National Diet’s handling of the Agreement and should be left up to the National Diet to decide. The Government intends to continue its robust efforts to obtain approval by the National Diet considering the TPP’s importance.

Reporter: I would like to ask about the Japan-China-Republic of Korea (ROK) Trilateral Summit Meeting. Opposition parties in the ROK intend to proceed with impeachment proceedings against President Geun-hye. Could you explain your thoughts about implications for the Japan-China-ROK Summit Meeting? Also, some media sources are reporting that the meeting is likely to be delayed. What is your reaction?

Minister Kishida: I would like to refrain from making any comments related to the situation in the ROK. However, as the chair country, Japan is making efforts to hold the Japan-China-ROK Summit Meeting during this year. Coordination efforts are continuing. We have not changed our policy in any way. We intend to continue moving forward with adjustments.

Reporter: I have a question about defense cooperation. Some media sources are reporting plans for visiting the United Kingdom and France and holding Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meetings “2+2” as early as January 2017.Where do coordination efforts stand at this point?

Minister Kishida: Regarding “2+2” meetings, we are looking at Japan-France and Japan-UK as you noted and also Japan-Australia. We are currently engaged in the coordination of the Japan-Australia meeting. For Japan-France and Japan-UK, nothing has been decided yet regarding schedules in next year or later.