Press Conferences

Sankei Shimbun, NAGAHARA: I would like to ask about the detention of a Hokkaido Shimbun reporter by Russian authorities. The Government of Japan has already lodged a protest, with Director-General NAKAMURA of the European Affairs Bureau, summoning the Russian Ambassador to Japan and. While you, Minister, lodged a protest when Russian President Putin visited the Northern Territories in August, a, does the Government intend to raise the level of protest to the ministerial level as soon as more details come to light?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: To explain the developments so far, the day after the Russia’s announcement, Director-General NAKAMURA summoned the Russian Ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and made a demarche. In addition, we have been making strong representations to the Russian side on the ground through various channels.

First and foremost, we are doing our utmost to secure consular access as soon as possible. We will continue to strongly urge the Russian side and make every effort to ensure the protection of the detained Japanese national.

As consular access has not yet been provided, we need to confirm the individual’s health condition and ascertain their understanding of the circumstances. We will then take the most appropriate action in light of the circumstances.

Kyodo News, WATANABE: My question is related to the previous one. Chief Cabinet Secretary KIHARA stated at his press conference today that, regarding the Russian authorities’ detention of a male reporter on suspicion of espionage, a “consular notification” was received from the Russian side on the 15th local time. However, contact with him has reportedly not yet been established. I would like to ask what measures the Government of Japan will be taking in light of the consular notification.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: As I noted earlier, in the early hours of this morning, Japan time, we received a consular notification from the Russian side regarding this matter. In principle, such notification is to be provided within three days of detention.

As for the content of the consular notification may touch on matters of privacy, it is not to be made public. That being said, as I mentioned earlier, we have not yet been able to make contact with the individual. Therefore, first and foremost, we need to secure consular access as soon as possible to ascertain the circumstances, as I noted earlier. We will continue to strongly urge the Russian side and make every effort to ensure the protection of the Japanese national.

Mainichi Shimbun, TADOKORO: Regarding the robbery-murder incident in Okinawa involving a U.S. military service member, shortly after the arrest, you mentioned Japan-U.S. consultations at your press conference the other day. I would like to ask what format these Japan-U.S. consultations will take. Following the prohibition of off-base liberty and prohibition of alcohol consumption imposed, the U.S. forces in Okinawa have implemented a 30-day curfew from midnight to 5:00 a.m., beginning on October 9. Are Japan and the U.S. currently coordinating on measures to prevent a recurrence, such as restrictions on personnel activities and increased patrols? Furthermore, am I correct in understanding that the primary parties involved in these consultations would be MOFA, the Ministry of Defense (MOD), the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, and U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ)?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: As I have responded in the Diet, following this incident, on October 6, the U.S. side announced interim measures, including the prohibition of off-base liberty. This was just two days after the arrest of the U.S. service member, and I believe this was a notably swift response compared with past cases. The U.S.　side announced that it intends to further review the liberty policy, the set of guidelines governing off-duty conduct of U.S. military personnel in Japan. Last week, senior working-level officials from MOFA, MOD, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, and USFJ began holding concrete consultations on how to implement effective measures to prevent the occurrence and recurrence of such incidents.

Regarding the specific measures under consideration, as I have explained in the Diet, they may include education, patrols, and the framework of the liberty policy. Other measures may also be brought up during the consultations. In any case, Japan and the U.S. will hold thorough discussions, and once a certain level of agreement is reached, we will swiftly announce and implement the measures.

Independent Web Journal, HAMAMOTO: On September 28, Defense Minister KOIZUMI stated on a BS Fuji television program that discussions on the possession of nuclear weapons and nuclear-powered submarines should not be ruled out and should be deliberated without taboo. Does Minister KOIZUMI’s statement represent a unified position shared by you and the entire TAKAICHI Cabinet? The Chinese Government has criticized these remarks, stating that they constitute a clear violation of the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty). Could you please share your views on this? Would you be open to conducting discussions that consider a potential revision of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and a possible withdrawal from the NPT?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: Since I have not watched the program you mentioned, I am not familiar with its details. In any case, the three security-related documents are currently being reviewed toward the end of the year, and I would like to refrain from commenting on this matter.

That being said, the Government adheres to the Three Non-Nuclear Principles as a set of policy guidelines. Japan will continue to maintain and strengthen the NPT regime and advance realistic and practical efforts toward a world without nuclear weapons. Japan’s position remains unchanged.