Press Conferences

NHK, Yamamoto: I would like to ask about Brexit. Yesterday, the EU and the United Kingdom reached an agreement during discussions concerning Brexit. Attention will be focused going forward on whether the EU Parliament will grant its approval. What is your reaction to this and what do you expect for future developments?

Mr. Motegi Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs: The Government of Japan has repeatedly requested both the United Kingdom and the EU to minimize the effect on the economic activities of Japanese companies and the global economy, including avoiding a no-deal Brexit, and is monitoring the situation with great interest. I would like to first welcome the approval by the European Council of the new draft agreement between the authorities of the United Kingdom and the EU.

If the new draft agreement is approved by both the U.K. Parliament and the EU Parliament going forward, it is my understanding that domestic procedures will need to take place. In addition to continuing to monitor the related developments, I will take necessary actions including providing information to Japanese companies and others.

Asahi Shimbun, Narazaki: I would like to ask about Japan-ROK relations. Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon of the ROK will visit Japan in conjunction with the Ceremony of the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor at the Seiden (State Hall), and coverage in the Asahi Shimbun and others have mentioned the possibility of him bringing a personal letter to a meeting with Prime Minister Abe. It seems that the intention is to break the deadlock in Japan-ROK relations, which have deteriorated, so what is your reaction?

Minister Motegi: Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon plans to visit Japan, but it is my understanding that coordination is currently being conducted for the schedule and other matters.

Asahi Shimbun, Narazaki: I would like to change the subject. A citizen’s group composed of Korean-Americans announced that it would install a statue of a young girl, symbolizing a comfort woman, on private land in a suburb of Washington D.C. yesterday, local time. What are your thoughts?

Minister Motegi: If a statue is installed, then I believe it would be extremely regrettable and incompatible with Japan’s position and initiatives thus far. In any event, the Government of Japan has been providing explanations to the international community in various forms of its views and initiatives thus far regarding the comfort women issue, and will continue such efforts.

Kyodo News, Takao: Yesterday, the French and Spanish language editions of the Diplomatic Bluebook 2019 were published on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. This is the first time to have foreign language editions besides English, so can you please tell us the aim for this? Also, is there consideration of publishing other foreign language editions besides English, French, and Spanish? Please answer both questions.

Minister Motegi: It is important to widely convey Japan’s diplomatic posture and initiatives to the international community in as many languages as possible. Generally there are many English translations of publications, followed by French and Spanish. In terms of the extent of foreign languages, there are many foreign languages in the world. While thinking in terms of cost-effectiveness, I believe it would be good to be able to introduce Japan’s various initiatives in more languages.

Asahi Shimbun, Takeshita: I would like to ask a question in relation to Iran. Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mori visited Tehran and met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs Araghchi and Foreign Minister Zarif. The timing is ahead of the deadline of the breakup of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in early November. Can you please tell us the aim of dispatching Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mori to Iran at this timing as well as the results of the discussions?

Minister Motegi: Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mori paid a courtesy call to Foreign Minister Zarif and met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs Araghchi in Iran. In addition to following up on the Summit Meeting and Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Iran during the United Nations General Assembly recently, he held an exchange of views toward the easing of tensions in the region and stability of the situation. I would like to refrain from stating anything further regarding the details of the discussions as they involve relations with the other side.

Asahi Shimbun, Narazaki: I would like to ask about the visit to Japan by His Holiness Pope Francis. The Pope will visit Japan in late November. What does the Government of Japan expect from this visit?

Minister Motegi: His Holiness Pope Francis will visit Japan from November 23-26 at the invitation of Prime Minister Abe and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan, and is scheduled to visit Tokyo, Nagasaki, and Hiroshima. This is the second visit to Japan by a Pope following the visit in 1981 by Pope John Paul II. It is the first visit to Japan by a Pope in about 30 years. I expect that this visit to Japan by the Pope will be an opportunity to further deepen mutual understanding between Japan and the Vatican, and further strengthen bilateral relations.

Moreover, I believe that the visits to Nagasaki and Hiroshima, which were affected by nuclear bombs, by the Pope who seeks world peace, will be an important opportunity to convey accurate information regarding the reality of nuclear bombing to the international community.