Press Conferences

NHK, Yamamoto: I would like to ask about Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) relations. Yesterday, Prime Minister Abe met with Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon of the ROK. It had attracted attention as an opportunity to improve relations, but it seems that it produced no progress. It seems that the ROK is placing high expectations on Prime Minister Abe’s summit meeting with President Moon Jae-in. Can you please explain again the position of the Government of Japan concerning Japan-ROK relations?

Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs: The time for the meeting yesterday was limited, but I believe that it was significant that Prime Minister Abe himself firmly and directly conveyed to the leader of the ROK government Japan’s clear and consistent position regarding the issue of the former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula.

I believe that Japan’s position, that the honoring of commitments between two countries would be the basis, was clearly conveyed. I also think it was significant that recognition was shared between our two countries regarding the importance of dialogues between diplomatic authorities and of various exchanges.

Regarding a summit meeting, I believe it depends on whether the ROK side can create an environment in which such a summit meeting can be held.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Abe: I would like to ask a related question. Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon stated that the ROK has complied with the Agreement on the Settlement of Problems concerning Property and Claims and on Economic Co-operation between Japan and the ROK, and will continue to do so. What is your reaction to this recognition presented by the Prime Minister of the ROK?

Minister Motegi: Japan has a different recognition on that matter.

Asahi Shimbun, Takeshita: I would like to ask about the Group of Eminent Persons for Substantive Advancement of Nuclear Disarmament. Yesterday, the Chair’s report compiling two years of discussions was submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is in the form of a report by the Chair rather than a document agreed upon by the Group. What is your reaction to and evaluation of this report?

Minister Motegi: Firstly, I would like to express my heartfelt respect and gratitude for the hard work in various forms by the members of the Group, including Chair SHIRAISHI Takashi.

That said, it is my understanding that the Chair’s report provides a summary of the discussions in the Group of Eminent Persons thus far, while focusing on difficult issues related to disarmament and security that must be truly overcome for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

In order to realize a world free of nuclear weapons, it is important to gain the cooperation of both nuclear-weapon and non-nuclear-weapon States and accumulate realistic and practical measures. Japan intends to keep participating in the discussions while making use of the results of the discussions in the Group of Eminent Persons and through cooperation with Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NDPI) member countries towards the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Review Conference in 2020, so that the Conference will yield meaningful results.

Asahi Shimbun, Takeshita: In relation to this, although this was not included in the report, the experts have requested discussions going forward in a framework like Track 1.5 including related government officials. Do you intend to establish such a framework? If you are able to speak about this, when do you think would be good to establish this, as an NPT Review Conference will soon be held?

Minister Motegi: We would like to consider the initiatives going forward taking into account the Chair’s report, including the possibility of holding 1.5 Track meetings. Besides that, nothing has been decided in terms of the schedule.

Sankei Shimbun, Rikitake: With regard to the meeting yesterday between Prime Minister Abe and Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, concerning Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon’s statement that the ROK has complied with the Agreement on the Settlement of Problems concerning Property and Claims, you stated earlier that Japan has a different recognition. For one year since the decision by the Supreme Court of the ROK, the Japanese side has repeatedly requested that the breach of international law be remedied. As Prime Minister Lee still has a different recognition and as the procedure for realization of assets of Japanese companies is ongoing, how do you intend to request a response by the ROK side?

Minister Motegi: Concerning the issue of the former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula, the Government of Japan perceives this as a serious situation in which the Government of the ROK has not remedied the breach of international law for one whole year up until now, while the movements by the plaintiffs to seize assets are ongoing. As I stated earlier, there is no change to the position of the Government of Japan to strongly urge the Government of the ROK to remedy its breach of international law. In any event, we will firmly respond with all options on the table from the perspective of protecting the legitimate economic activities of Japanese companies.

Kyodo News, Takao: I would like to ask about diplomacy in conjunction with the Ceremony of the Accession to the Throne. Prime Minister Abe held a number of meetings with various leaders of countries, and you also held meetings with the foreign ministers of various countries. While some meetings are still to be held, can you please tell us your evaluation thus far and if there are any future tasks? Also, I believe you attended the Ceremony of the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor at the Seiden (State Hall) on October 22, so can you tell us your impression of the ceremony?

Minister Motegi: Representatives from 191 countries, regions and international organizations around the world attended the Ceremony of the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor at the Seiden (State Hall). I believe it was a truly historic occasion rooted in Japanese tradition and culture. I held Foreign Ministers’ meetings and other meetings with the VIPs who attended the Ceremony of the Accession to the Throne. I also had opportunities to talk with the representatives of various countries at related events, including Vice President Wang Qishan of China with whom I had the opportunity to talk for quite a long time, as he was seated next to me at the same table at the dinner banquet held by Prime Minister Abe the day before yesterday. I believe that the series of events and individual meetings further deepened the understanding and interest of other countries in Japan, which has entered the new Reiwa era, and was equally a good opportunity to share and convey Japan’s policy on working toward the resolution of various issues hand in hand with the international community, toward world peace and prosperity.

Dong-a Ilbo, Kim: You stated earlier that Japan has a different recognition from the Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon’s statement that the ROK is complying with the Agreement on the Settlement of Problems. Can you please tell us specifically how it is different?

Minister Motegi: With regard to Japan-ROK relations, as you know, Japan’s basic recognition is that all problems were settled by the Agreement on the Settlement of Problems concerning Property and Claims in 1965. Making claims in any form, including individual claims, against Japanese companies afterwards, and the Supreme Court of the ROK supporting such claims, are inconsistent with and breaches the Agreement on the Settlement of Problems. In that sense, this differs from Japan’s position.

Asahi Shimbun, Narazaki: I would like to ask about the resignation of Minister Sugawara. When you were Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Minister Sugawara served as Vice-Minister. What is your reaction to his resignation and how do you think this will affect the Abe Cabinet?

Minister Motegi: I believe that the course of actions of politicians are matters that concern the individual politicians themselves.