Press Conferences

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Today, commencing at 11:15 a.m. for 15 minutes and then at 11:30 a.m. for 20 minutes, I held telephone talks with the US State Secretary Honorable Rex Tillerson and ROK Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se respectively.

In the telephone talks I expressed the view that this morning’s ballistic missile launches by North Korea are clear provocations to the regional and international communities and are totally unacceptable. Furthermore, I confirmed that we will demonstrate a resolute stance against North Korea, and will strongly urge North Korea to exercise self-restraint with further provocative actions and comply with the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. Japan and the United States, Japan and the ROK, and Japan, the United States and the ROK will continue to coordinate closely, including at the UN, in order to respond effectively to the North Korean nuclear and missile issues, beginning with its provocative actions.

In my conversation with Secretary Tillerson, we shared the view that we will issue a strong message at the UNSC.

Reporter: I believe the United States is currently in the process of a policy review. Messages stating that a strong stance will be taken are being issued, but did Secretary Tillerson mention how the United States side will respond?

Minister Kishida: We confirmed that a range of cooperation will take place between Japan and the United States, including information sharing. I would like to refrain from commenting on specific exchanges. In any event, I believe that these were meaningful telephone talks that solidly confirmed the importance of Japan-United States and Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation.

Reporter: Are the Government of Japan or Japan and the United States already seeking a response in New York from the UNSC specifically?

Minister Kishida: We are already in contact, and are commencing concrete efforts aimed at issuing a strong message while staying in mutual contact. In my talk with Secretary Tillerson also, we confirmed that these efforts will by all means continue, and that a message will be issued.

Reporter: You have completed talks with the United States and the ROK, but what is the situation with other countries concerned?

Minister Kishida: Japan is already in contact with the United States and the ROK at the level of the representatives to the Six-Party Talks as well, but we are also considering contacting China and Russia.

Reporter: Were the telephone talks proposed by the Japanese side?

Minister Kishida: Yes. To be more precise, Japan requested the talks.

Reporter: When you say you are also considering contacting China and Russia, you mean…

Minister Kishida: It would be at the level of the representatives to the Six-Party Talks.

Reporter: At present you are not giving any particular consideration to making contact at the Foreign Minister level?

Minister Kishida: I intend to respond appropriately while observing the situation from here forward.

Reporter: Were independent sanctions or additional sanctions discussed in the talks?

Minister Kishida: I will refrain from commenting on specific exchanges. We confirmed we will continue to coordinate closely.