Press Conferences

Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have two announcements.

The first is North Korea. This morning at around 6:38 a.m., North Korea launched what is possibly a ballistic missile from an inland area of the country. We are currently analyzing the details.

North Korea’s series of actions, including its repeated launches of ballistic missiles and the like, threaten the peace and security of Japan and the region. They pose a serious threat to the entire international community, including Japan.

Last week, I attended the Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New York. We confirmed that we will further advance Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation toward the complete denuclearization of North Korea in the aspect of reinforcing diplomatic efforts, fully implementing the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, and strengthening regional deterrence. We will continue to closely cooperate with relevant countries including the United States.

Minister Motegi: The other announcement is on the Japan-UK RAA. Japan and the United Kingdom have commenced negotiations on the agreement.

Japan and the United Kingdom are global strategic partners that share fundamental values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We are strengthening our security and defense cooperation, including the port call in Japan this month by the U.K. aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The Japan-UK RAA is a legal framework that provides the foundation to further elevate Japan-UK security and defense cooperation. I believe it will contribute to further strengthening cooperation between our countries toward realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”

The first round of negotiations is scheduled to take place on October 7, aiming toward an early conclusion. That is all from me.

NHK, Yamamoto: In regard to North Korea which you mentioned in your opening remarks, have you lodged a protest to the North Korean side?

Minister Motegi: We have already lodged a protest. Before that, firstly regarding the issue of the former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula, the ROK Supreme Court… Excuse me, you actually asked about North Korea.

We have not yet finished confirming about North Korea. We are still confirming what was launched. We will of course lodge a protest if it is confirmed to be a threat to Japan.

NHK, Yamamoto: On Japan-ROK relations, a district court in the ROK issued its decision ordering the sale of some assets of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. yesterday. Please tell us whether you have lodged a protest to the Government of the ROK, and how the Government of Japan will respond.

Minister Motegi: We have lodged a protest. Firstly, I am aware of the reports you pointed out. As I have repeatedly stated, the judgment by the ROK Supreme Court and related judicial procedures concerning the issue of the former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula are a clear breach of international law. Japan has been repeatedly pointing out to the ROK that liquidation would cause a serious situation for both our countries, and needs to be avoided. During my visit to New York last week for the United Nations General Assembly, I held a Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on September 23 and told Foreign Minister Chung that liquidation must be avoided, and again strongly requested the ROK to take appropriate measures.

It is extremely regrettable that recently the development took place as reported, despite the ROK of course being aware of Japan’s position. We immediately lodged a protest to Seoul last night. We also directly issued a strong protest requesting the ROK to immediately take appropriate measures by summoning the vice consul of the Embassy of the ROK in Tokyo this morning.

It is my understanding that the company concerned will immediately file an appeal against this development. We will strongly request the ROK to present a solution acceptable to Japan, including for immediately remedying its breach of international law.

BBC, Cheng: I would like to ask you a question. This is BBC Chinese.

Minister Motegi: Yes? Excuse me.

BBC, Cheng: I am Cheng Chung-Lan from BBC Chinese and Nippon.com.

Minister Motegi: Excuse me, I could not understand. I could not catch what you have just said.

BBC, Cheng: I am from the BBC.

Minister Motegi: The broadcaster BBC?

BBC, Cheng: Yes. I am Cheng Chung-Lan from the BBC and Nippon.com.

Minister Motegi: I see, you were saying your name.

BBC, Cheng: I am from Taiwan. Thank you. I would like to ask about Taiwan’s request to join the TPP. Taiwan officially requested to join last week, and Japan indicated that it welcomes this.

Taiwanese society has a free and democratic trade environment. However, the issue of imports of Japanese food products from five prefectures including and near Fukushima has still not been resolved between the governments of Taiwan and Japan. There are still people in Taiwan who are worried about radioactive contamination. How will Japan gain their understanding? Is there a possibility that Japan will conduct deeper negotiations regarding the lifting of import restrictions on food products with the government of Taiwan? Please tell us your thoughts.

Minister Motegi: Firstly, I believe that Taiwan is our important partner with close economic ties to Japan with which we share fundamental values including freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. We welcome Taiwan’s request to join the TPP, as we believe it is in line with the TPP’s objective of globally expanding a free, open, high standard economic order and economic zone.

Of course, I believe that as in the case of the United Kingdom, in order to join the TPP, it must be ascertained whether the country or region firmly accepts the high-standard of rules and other aspects of the TPP.

Additionally, the lifting of import restrictions on Japanese food products is one of the most important issues for the Government of Japan. Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, in regard to import restrictions imposed on Japanese food products, Japan has been providing explanations based on scientific grounds regarding the safety of Japanese food products to various countries and regions, and strongly requesting them to swiftly lift their restrictions. Due to our encouragement, more regions are lifting their import restrictions.

Amidst this development, we will continue to take all opportunities, including through the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, to gain the understanding of the people of Taiwan of the safety of Japanese food products, and persistently urge that the restrictions be swiftly lifted.

Pan Orient News, Azhari:Just following up on the threat of North Korea. The Japanese government named North Korea along with China and Russia as cybersecurity threats in the draft strategy adopted last Monday. How would that impact Japan’s security and what response you have in mind for that.

Minister Motegi: Firstly, the field of national security is expanding for sure. We have entered an age in which not only the classic meaning of national security, but also national security in cyber and space fields has become extremely important. Amidst such development, the security environment, including in such fields, surrounding Japan is becoming increasingly severe. I recognize that cross-national competition in the cyber field is actualizing and the international order is rapidly growing increasingly uncertain, including with cyber activities suspected of having the involvement of authorities of China, Russia, and North Korea. The Government of Japan will continue to exert all efforts to ensure the security of Japan through ensuring cybersecurity under the new cybersecurity strategy you pointed out. The Government will work as one on efforts to use and secure the free, fair, and safe cyber field.

NHK, Yamamoto: Allow me to ask about political affairs. The votes for the LDP leadership election will be cast and counted tomorrow. How will the LDP faction you are part of respond? Which candidate do you plan to support?

Minister Motegi: The votes for the LDP leadership election will at last be cast and counted tomorrow. There are four candidates, and they have used various opportunities to deepen policy discussions and the like. For this leadership election, our group has repeatedly exchanged our views, conducted interviews individually, and the like under the basic understanding that acting as much as possible as a unified group while respecting the positions and ideas of individual members is desirable, as the election is an open process.

As a result, the majority of members in the faction wants to support Mr. Kishida. In that sense, regarding the direction of the group, of course each individual member has a candidate he or she wishes to support, but it is not the case that the votes will be dispersed among the four candidates because this is independent voting, or that we do not know who will vote for whom. The majority of members have already made up their mind that they want to support Mr. Kishida or want to cast votes respecting the thinking of the faction. The majority of the group want to support Mr. Kishida, so we will support him. I believe the direction has become clear.

During the exchanges of views I had with other members of the faction, as a reason for wanting to support Mr. Kishida was that as the LDP and the government ruling party, we must create a unified front in order to respond to extremely important issues in Japan and abroad, including novel coronavirus countermeasures. Mr. Kishida is the candidate who can best build a substantial system to expand the wings of support of the LDP and appoint members from veterans to young people.

At the same time, considering the future, including the rapidly approaching House of Representatives election, the ordinary session of the Diet next year, and the House of Councillors election next summer, there were strong voices supporting Mr. Kishida due to his ability to create a stable administration that considers the future. I fully share those views regarding these two reasons.