Press Conferences

Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi: I have an announcement at the outset.

Multiple natural disasters have occurred in Southeast Asia in recent days. Typhoon No. 20 struck Vietnam on September 29, and a strong earthquake occurred offshore of northern Cebu Island in the Philippines on September 30.

I am deeply saddened that precious lives were lost and serious damages were brought by these disasters. I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the victims and express my sympathies to their families.

The Government of Japan stands ready to consider providing necessary assistance based on the needs on the ground. We will be in close communication with the countries concerned.

That concludes my opening remarks.

NHK, KAWAMURA: I have a question related to the shutdown of U.S. government agencies. Due to the partial shutdown of U.S. government agencies, events such as the fireworks festival in Yokosuka City have been canceled. What are your thoughts on the impact caused by the shutdown? Are there any other events that have been canceled due to the shutdown of some U.S. government agencies? According to some reports, U.S. President Trump will visit Japan from the 27th of this month. Do you have any concerns about the impact on the President’s visit to Japan if the shutdown is prolonged?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: We are aware that the U.S. continuing resolution expired, and as a result, some government agencies were shut down on October 1, U.S. eastern time.

Since this concerns the domestic affairs of another country, as the Government of Japan, we would like to refrain from commenting. We will continue to pay close attention to related developments with great interest.

Regarding canceled events, I am aware that, on October 1, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries KOIZUMI announced the cancellation of the scheduled visit to Japan by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Rollins and their meeting. We continue to maintain communication with the U.S. Government at various levels.

As for your question on the President’s visit to Japan, as it has not been settled yet, I would like to refrain from making comment.

Ryukyu Shimpo, SAITO: I would like to ask again about the Japan-U.S. joint patrols we asked about previously. I was informed from an official at the Status of U.S. Forces Agreement Division that the liaison with Japanese authorities required for the U.S. military to police outside its bases as stipulated in the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) can be made to the Ministry of Justice or the National Police Agency. In the recent case, in Okinawa, the U.S. forces did not liaise with the prefectural government or the prefectural police, either before or after the arrests, and the prefecture received an answer only after inquiring with the U.S. forces after the detainments and arrests were made. What are your thoughts on liaising in advance with the prefecture, the party concerned, regarding the exercise of police powers, or naturally, the manner and necessity of such coordination? In the previous press conference, you expressed the view that arrangements may not have been fully made or finalized regarding the violation of the “liberty policy”. Which case requires liaising with Japanese authorities, violations of Japanese laws or violations of the liberty policy? How should the liaison take place? Is prior liaison necessary for exercise of police powers outside U.S. bases in general? I would appreciate it if you could tell us about these points.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: First of all, it is stipulated that the U.S. forces shall employ military police outside U.S. facilities and areas in Japan, in accordance with the provisions of the SOFA, including liaison with Japanese authorities.

Regarding the way of liaising with Japanese authorities, I believe this will be determined specifically on a case-by-case basis. I understand that the Japan-U.S. Joint Community Safety Patrols in Okinawa City have been conducted in a coordinated manner following a series of thorough communications between the Japanese parties, including the Okinawa Prefectural Government, Okinawa City, the Okinawa Prefectural Police, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Okinawa Liaison Office, and the U.S. side to ensure its consistency with the SOFA.

In addition, the U.S. side had informed us that the U.S. military police arrested several U.S. service members during the Japan-U.S. Joint Community Safety Patrol conducted in Okinawa City on August 16 and September 27 for violation of the so-called “liberty policy,” which is voluntarily established by U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ). We consider that the patrols were conducted in a manner that is consistent with the SOFA.

In any case, what is important is that the series of recurrence prevention measures announced so far by the U.S. side actually lead to the prevention of recurrence of incidents and accidents. Japan will continue to urge the U.S. to strengthen discipline within USFJ and take thorough measures to prevent the recurrence of incidents and accidents, including through the Japan-U.S. Joint Community Safety Patrol. Accordingly, the patrols will be conducted after having even closer communications between the relevant authorities.

Asahi Shimbun, SASAYAMA: There are reports that Prime Minister ISHIBA will issue a message marking 80 years since the end of World War II, and I would like to ask about this. This will reportedly be a “personal message” or a “message by the Prime Minister.” I would like to ask what the significance is of issuing it as a message rather than a statement approved by the cabinet. I assume that the Prime Minister intends to issue it as a personal message out of various concerns, including possible backlash from conservatives. If that is the case, it would have been possible to issue it as a Diet member after stepping down as Prime Minister. What is the meaning of issuing the message as Prime Minister? In addition, although the Prime Minister has said, for example, that he will “maintain the recognition of history expressed by previous administrations,” the message could cause friction with other countries. In that case, Prime Minister ISHIBA would already have stepped down at that point, and there would be no one in a position to take responsibility. Can you once again share your view on whether it is appropriate for a Prime Minister who has decided to step down to issue a message, whether it can obtain the understanding of the public, as well as its significance?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: I don’t think it is a very Asahi-like question. The ISHIBA Cabinet has maintained overall the position held by previous administrations with regard to the recognition of history, including the official statements made by prime ministers over the years, and it will carry that into the future. This position has not changed.

Regarding the message marking 80 years since the war ended, I believe the perspective that we must not allow memories of the war to fade, and that such a war must never be repeated is important. As the Prime Minister has stated, the format and content are still under consideration at this point. That is my understanding.

Regarding your question on its significance, I believe it is important and necessary for the Prime Minister to issue a certain message to people both at home and abroad on the occasion of the 80th year since the end of the war. I personally believe that it would not have been inappropriate to issue it in the form of an official statement.

NHK, KAWAMURA: I would like to ask about political affairs. Voting and ballot counting for the LDP presidential election will be held tomorrow. You recently expressed your intention to support Chief Cabinet Secretary HAYASHI on Facebook. It is said that the election will most certainly go to a runoff vote. May I ask who you will vote for if there is a runoff?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Elections are something unpredictable until they are over. Therefore, although you mentioned a possibility, the results remain to be seen until after the voting tomorrow. At that point, I will cast my vote based on a careful examination.