Press Conferences

Mr. Norio Maruyama, Foreign Press Secretary: His Majesty the King Felipe VI of the Kingdom of Spain and Her Majesty the Queen Letizia of the Kingdom of Spain are currently paying a state visit to Japan as state guests from April 4 through April 7.

This morning, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan met with Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain at the Imperial Palace, and will host a State Banquet in honor of Their Majesties the King and Queen tonight.

Additionally, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister, will hold a meeting with Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain and host a dinner in their honor.

Foreign Press Secretary Maruyama: The 18th round of negotiations on the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has been taking place in Tokyo during April 3-5.

I would like to refrain from explaining the content of negotiations because they are currently taking place. The section head in charge of negotiations will present the results and an overview today after the meeting finishes. These details will be provided separately.

Foreign Press Secretary Maruyama: This morning, Mr. Kenji Kanasugi, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, exchanged views with Ambassador Kim Hong-kyun, Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK). This afternoon, he exchanged views via telephone with Ambassador Joseph Y. Yun, Special Representative for North Korea Policy, U.S. State Department, and then exchanged views via telephone with Ambassador Wu Dawei, Special Representative of the Chinese Government for Korean Peninsula Affairs.

Both parties discussed today’s ballistic missile launch by North Korea and agreed to strongly urge North Korea to refrain from any further provocation and comply with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and other international commitments. They also affirmed close coordination to ensure the strict implementation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2321.

Ichikawa, Jiji Press: I have a question about North Korea’s missile launch earlier. Will the Japanese Government take actions, such as pursuing to issue a press statement at the United Nations again, as it did in the previous case or adopt a new sanctions resolution?

Foreign Press Secretary Maruyama: I would like to refrain from saying anything definitive about a detailed response at the United Nations Security Council. As for Japan, we intend to communicate and cooperate with the United States, ROK, and other related countries in addressing the latest ballistic missile launch that is another clear violation of multiple UNSC resolutions.

Ichikawa, Jiji Press: I think China’s influence is important in getting North Korea to curtail its provocative behavior. You just mentioned a call between Special Representative Wu Dawei and Director-General Kanasugi. What type of approach does the Japanese Government intend to take toward the Chinese Government going forward?

Foreign Press Secretary Maruyama: Japan is requesting that China take a constructive role at various levels as a responsible permanent member of the UNSC, and will be coordinating closely with the United States ahead of the US-China Summit Meeting. Japan plans to continue to coordinate closely with related countries, including China, and strongly urge North Korea to take concrete actions toward resolving outstanding issues of concern.