Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: At last year's Japan-China Summit Meeting, basic agreement was met on the launch of the Japan-China senior working-level maritime consultations and the conclusion of a maritime search and rescue (SAR) agreement. It appears that there is talk about this agreement being concluded within the current month. Please comment on the authenticity of this and the current status of discussions.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: You are asking about two separate matters. First, with regard to maritime matters, agreement was reached on the establishment of the Japan-China senior working-level maritime consultations from the perspective of promoting cooperation in making the East China Sea a "Sea of Peace, Cooperation and Friendship."  The other matter is the maritime search and rescue (SAR) agreement. As you just mentioned, it is true that we have reached a basic agreement on the SAR agreement. Currently, administrative discussions are being carried out on these two things between our two countries, but it is my understanding that there will not be any conclusions reached within the current month. I believe that is an accurate  description of the current situation.

REPORTER: You say that the agreement will not be concluded this month, but by when does the Government of Japan intend to conclude the agreement? Also, what significance will these agreements have within the context of Japan-China relations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: At the Japan-China Summit Meeting in December 2011 - this year marks the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between our two countries - in view of deepening the mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests  between Japan and China, we achieved two things with regard to maritime cooperation, those being consensus on the launch of the consultations and a basic accord on the establishment of an SAR agreement. So, on the occasion of our 40th anniversary we are taking another step forward. Concerning your question about a schedule, one of these issues is the launch of a meeting, and as I just mentioned, Japan and China are sorting this out right now and at the final stage. As for the SAR agreement, I have been told that detailed discussions are also being held on this issue as well, so I believe that the matter will see some form of conclusion in the not so distant future. However, I do not believe that a deadline has been set.

(Abridged)