Press Conferences

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Based on the recent Japan-Russia Summit Meeting and as a result of extensive coordination, we will send a joint public and private research team on the joint economic activities to Sakhalin from May 30 to June 1, based on which we will conduct research in the four islands of the Northern Territories in the latter half of June.

Meanwhile, with regard to special grave visits by former residents of the Northern Territories by airplane, we are making arrangements with the Russian side to realize such visits to Kunashiri Island and Etorofu Island in mid-June.

Advancing Japan-Russia cooperation in the four islands through such initiatives is part of the process towards concluding a peace treaty. We intend to continue to steadily advance such efforts based on the desires of the former residents and the communities in adjacent areas.

Sasakawa, Asahi Shimbun: With regard to the joint public and private research team that you just announced, could you please explain the reason why instead of first being sent to the four islands, the team is first being sent to Sakhalin?

Minister Kishida: As a result of coordination with the Russian side, in order to enhance the research program, we decided it was appropriate to send the team first to Sakhalin, and after collecting sufficient information and upon making the necessary arrangements, to the four islands. We have decided that the team will first go to Sakhalin and then to the four islands. That is the format we decided on.

Sasakawa, Asahi Shimbun: Specifically what kind of information collection is the team expected to conduct in Sakhalin? Also, will any Government officials head the research team and accompany it?

Minister Kishida: As I have just explained, in order to enhance the research program of the joint public and private research team, it will first visit Sakhalin and collect information from the Russian side. The group that will visit Sakhalin will be headed by Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Eiichi Hasegawa and consist of approximately 30 public and private members, including experts from the fisheries, tourism, and medical fields, among others. On March 18, a Japan-Russia vice-ministerial-level meeting was held. At the meeting, both sides made proposals regarding the joint economic activities and we made arrangements to ensure the appropriate composition of the research team so as to deepen discussions on the proposals of the two sides. That is the overview of the research team to Sakhalin.

Morifuji, Yomiuri Shimbun: Originally, at the joint press announcement following the summit meeting in April, the Prime Minister stated that Japan and Russia had agreed to send the research team to the four islands as early as May. You have now said that it will occur in the latter part of June. Could you please explain why it took time to arrange the timing of sending the team to the four islands?

Minister Kishida: We must carefully consider the proposals made by both sides during the Japan-Russia vice-ministerial-level meeting held on March 18, before conducting the research in the four islands. Both sides made arrangements based on this perspective. As I have just explained, in order to enhance the effectiveness of the research, we decided on the format of first sending the team to Sakhalin and then to conduct the research in the four islands. We have continued to make arrangements with the Russian side based on the perspective of enhancing the research on joint economic activities in the four islands, and making it more effective. The timing is the result of our two sides making arrangements based on such a perspective. The working-level officials made efforts to decide the timing based on the intention expressed at the summit meeting.

Kobayashi, NHK: Could you please first explain who Special Advisor Hasegawa will be holding consultations with in Sakhalin and what specifically they will discuss in order to ensure the effectiveness of the research? Secondly, can you please confirm if the research in the four islands will take place in mid-June and if the size of the team will similarly be 30 people?

Minister Kishida: Regarding your first question, as Special Advisor Hasegawa will be heading the team, we are of course making arrangements as to who he will be specifically meeting. However, I have not heard about any decisions being made regarding the timing and so forth. As for the content of the meeting, I believe it will include meaningful coordination for deepening considerations of the proposals presented by both sides on March 18. In other words, it will include discussions on specialized fields, such as fisheries, tourism, and medical care. That is why experts in those fields are included among the 30 members of the team.

Regarding the research program in the four islands, we will continue to make arrangements, based on first conducting research in Sakhalin. Once the research in Sakhalin has been conducted, we must then consider how best to conduct the next phase of research, while taking into account the state of the research conducted in Sakhalin. The size and other details regarding the research team that will be sent to the four islands will be coordinated in due course. In any case, we must determine the effective composition of the research team based on a consideration of the proposals made by the Japanese and Russian sides.

Kamide, Freelance: I would like to ask questions related to the draft of a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons that was recently announced by the United Nations. I believe the Japanese Government has expressed its opposition to this. However, as Japan is the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings, people interested in the matter such as the Mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as associations of atomic bomb survivors, have welcomed the draft. As someone from Hiroshima yourself, how do you view the reactions of these people? Secondly, while a number of non-nuclear-weapon states have also expressed their disappointment towards Japan, is there any leeway for Japan to become a party to this instrument in the future?

Minister Kishida: In answer to your first question, regarding how I view the reactions of the various people, I am fully aware that different members of the public, including those from the areas that suffered the atomic bombings, hold a variety of views on this matter. I believe that the Government must listen carefully to these views. At the same time, we must also consider our response. In doing so, I would point out that this shows that we share the overarching goal of achieving a world without nuclear weapons. We would also like to firmly explain that the Government’s initiatives for achieving a world without nuclear weapons have been and will continue to be consistent. While fully maintaining both an accurate recognition of the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, and also a calm recognition of the severe security environment, we will advance concrete and practical measures, in close cooperation with both nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states. We have consistently upheld this stance.

Japan has also considered its response to the negotiations for a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons based on this stance. Not a single nuclear-weapon state is participating in these negotiations. Furthermore, not one of the so-called “centrist” non-nuclear-weapons states, such as Canada, Australia, or Germany, who have endeavored alongside Japan to realize a world without nuclear weapons, is participating in these negotiations. In light of this situation, Japan believes that advancing the negotiations may deepen the divide between nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states. Based on this recognition, we have, from the very beginning of the negotiations, clearly stated our basic position, and have since refrained from participating in the negotiations.

Japan’s stance on this matter is consistent. We therefore believe that the appropriate way in which to seek to achieve our major goal of realizing a world without nuclear weapons is through persistent and rigorous efforts within frameworks that include both nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states, such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), and the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT). Based on this stance, at the beginning of May, I attended a meeting of the Preparatory Committee of the 2020 NPT Review Conference as the first ever Japanese Foreign Minister to do so, and explained Japan’s basic stance. I strongly hope that we will be able to reduce the overall level of nuclear weapons until we reach the so-called “minimization point,” through initiatives such as the NPT, the CTBT, and the FMCT, whereupon we may be able to establish a legal framework and realize a world without nuclear weapons. This is Japan’s basic stance on how to advance discussions, and we will continue to resolutely follow this approach. I clearly expressed this view at the recent Preparatory Committee of the 2020 NPT Review Conference as well. Many related parties, including the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-ban Treaty Organization, Dr. Lassina Zerbo, expressed appreciation for Japan’s basic stance. We fully intend to continue to work towards a world without nuclear weapons based on this stance.

Tanaka, Chugoku Shimbun: I would like to follow up and ask about your thoughts on this legally binding instrument. The second round of negotiations will take place in June, based on the recently announced draft. Some members of your home prefecture would like Japan to participate in the June negotiations. Could I first confirm if Japan does not think there is any leeway to participate? Secondly, could I ask for your view on the draft itself, which makes reference to the suffering of the victims of the use of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, emphasizes the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, and prohibits nuclear weapons? Please share your views.

Minister Kishida: First, as I just explained, the various views of different members of the public, including atomic bomb survivors, hold great weight and the Government must listen to them carefully. Based on this, we must consider our response. The Government decided its policy, which is as I just explained, based on careful considerations. I believe the Government’s stance on this matter is consistent. We cannot waver in our consistent stance. Therefore, with regard to the negotiations for a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, we will maintain the stance that I have just explained. As for the content of the instrument, I am aware that a draft was recently presented. However, as Japan is not participating in the negotiations, I would like to refrain from commenting.

Ichikawa, Jiji Press: The G7 Summit will be held from today. I believe some of the main themes will be the issue of North Korea and protectionism, but what kinds of discussions do you expect to take place?

Minister Kishida: The G7 Taormina Summit will be held on May 26 and 27 on the island of Sicily. As for the content of the discussions, I believe the leaders will discuss how to address urgent issues such as ways to drive global economic growth, North Korea, and measures to counter terrorism. Furthermore, there have recently been changes in the leadership of several of the G7 members. I expect the leaders, including those who are newly participating in the Summit, to engage in open and frank discussions. The growing threat of North Korea, as shown by its nuclear tests and repeated ballistic missile launches, will be one of the main topics of discussion. Japan hopes that the leaders will firmly share recognition of the need for a united G7 response. In light of the fact that it is now time to apply pressure on North Korea, Japan hopes that the leaders will deepen discussions at the Summit and send out a clear message, affirming the cooperation of the G7 and strongly urging the international community to fully implement the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Ichikawa, Jiji Press: May 27 marked 1,980 days in office for Prime Minister Abe, which is equal to that of former Prime Minister Koizumi. Could you please share your thoughts on why the Abe administration has lasted this long?

Minister Kishida: In my position it is difficult to comment on why the Abe administration has stayed in office this long. I am not in a position to be able to fully grasp the Abe administration as a whole. However, with regard to diplomacy and security, I believe we have advanced diplomatic policies while bearing in mind the importance of maintaining a sense of balance. For example, we have enhanced the response and deterrence capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance by holding thorough discussions on Japan’s Legislation for Peace and Security, and deepening various discussions between Japan and the United States. We have also promoted reconciliation and cooperation on a variety of issues, such as concluding the Japan-Republic of Korea agreement and achieving a visit to Hiroshima by President Obama. Furthermore, we have also taken thorough measures to address global challenges. I believe this sense of balance has helped to bring the people peace of mind and to maintain a high level of support for the Abe administration. We must address a variety of issues over a long period of time and I believe that maintaining a sense of balance is one of the most important elements when doing so. That is my view, in my position in charge of matters of diplomacy.