Press Conferences

Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs: In light of the need to strengthen cooperation between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in dealing with recent issues, and the growing importance of bolstering initiatives to deal with North Korean advances in nuclear and missile developments and the abductions issue, as well as the extraordinary large increase in workload of personnel involved with North Korea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to split the Northeast Asia Division, which handled both the ROK and North Korea up to now, and create the First Northeast Asia Division to cover ROK-related conditions and Japan-ROK cooperation, and the Second Northeast Asia Division to handle North Korea-related conditions and Japan-North Korea relations. It will work to officially establish the two Divisions this summer.

Reporter: Some reports are stating that Chairman Kim Jong-un communicated North Korea’s intention to return to the Six-Party Talks during the recent China-North Korea Summit Meeting. Please explain your thoughts about the Six-Party Talks.

Minister Kono: I would like to refrain from commenting on individual media reports about topics that have not been announced. In regard to North Korea, Japan plans to closely watch what happens in the ROK-North Korea and U.S.-North Korea Summit Meetings and other developments, and seek the best method together with the international community.

Reporter: It was reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov held a meeting and agreed in regard to North Korea that they understand the direction of incremental denuclearization mentioned by Chairman Kim Jong-un. Please explain how Japan intends to respond amid the considerable increase in involvement by China and Russia in the process, and how Japan, given its calls for a clear commitment to denuclearization by North Korea, will cooperate with the United States and the ROK, who have the same position.

Minister Kono: First the international community needs to confirm a clear commitment by North Korea to denuclearization. Since North Korea has not made any official announcements at this point, Japan will be looking for confirmation of a clear commitment by North Korea to denuclearization in the ROK-North Korea and U.S.-North Korea Summit Meetings and other areas. I believe that would be the starting point for everything.

Reporter: Regarding the reorganization of the Northeast Asia Division, will the Ministry’s change come this summer? What is the purpose of making an announcement at this timing ahead of the ROK-North Korea and U.S.-North Korea Summit Meetings?

Minister Kono: The current Division is reaching the limits of what it can handle as a single entity. While the change cannot happen immediately due to budgeting, personnel, and other factors, the Ministry hopes to move forward as quickly as possible.

Reporter: Regarding the Six-Party Talks, is Japan’s stance that it hopes to have the issue of Japanese abductees discussed at the U.S.-North Korea Summit Meeting with the United States as the representative, as you have mentioned, rather than the Six-Party Talks?

Minister Kono: Japan plans to closely observe the content of the ROK-North Korea and U.S.-North Korea Summit Meetings and seek the best methods together with the international community. This naturally includes the nuclear and missile development issue, as well as the abductions issue and the issue of detainees.

Minister Kono: How things will be managed at the ROK-North Korea and U.S.-North Korea Summit Meetings is part of our strategy. Japan is naturally closely cooperating with the international community but will refrain from revealing our strategy.