Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Negotiation regarding Trans-Pacific Partnership
• The issue concerning the talk between U.S. and China
• President Obama’s visit to Japan
• Situation in Ukraine

REPORTER: With regard to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), ministerial-level talks started today between Minister Amari and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Froman. Until now, it seemed that the two sides were unable to settle their differences regarding the extent of the tariff reductions for products such as pork and beef. How do you position the current talks?  

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: Since this morning, Minister Amari and USTR Froman have been engaged in ministerial-level negotiations. First of all, Prime Minister Abe and President Obama met briefly last month in The Hague and agreed that they would both accelerate the TPP negotiations. Accordingly, we have been persistently carrying out negotiations at the working level. This time, we have once again elevated the negotiations and are now carrying them out at the ministerial-level. We are doing so based on the instructions given by the two leaders to accelerate negotiations

REPORTER: I have a related question. President Obama will visit Japan towards the end of this month. I suspect that in a sense this will serve as an important juncture. You mentioned the word “accelerate.” Specifically, to what degree can the negotiations be accelerated or not accelerated by the time of President Obama’s visit? What is your aim in this regard? 

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: We view President Obama’s visit to Japan as a significant juncture. However, we do not think of it as a deadline. We do of course recognize that President Obama’s visit to Japan is a significant juncture, but at the same time, the most important thing is that Japan’s national interests are fully served. We therefore intend to carry out thorough negotiations without setting any specific deadlines.

REPORTER: Yesterday, Secretary of Defense Hagel of the United States and Minister of National Defense Chang Wanquan of China held talks. During the talks, Mr. Hagel asserted that the United States would meet its defense obligations under the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty in relation to the Senkaku Islands. Meanwhile, Mr. Chang expressed the view that it would not make any compromises whatsoever on territorial issues. What is your evaluation of the dialogue of the United States and China, respectively? 

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: According to the media reports, the Secretary of Defense vowed that the United States would fully meet its defense obligations pertaining to the Senkaku Islands as an ally of Japan, as prescribed in the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty. This is completely in line with the position of Japan, and Japan highly appreciates this. Meanwhile, with regard to China, our stance is as the Prime Minister has stated on numerous occasions. First of all, the Japan-China relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships for Japan. However, our recognition is that the Senkaku Islands are an inherent part of the territory of Japan, in light of historical facts and based upon international law, and that they are under the valid control of the Government of Japan. Nevertheless, even though such an issue exists, the stance of Japan is that both Japan and China should work to ensure that individual issues do not affect overall bilateral relations.

REPORTER: I have a question on this topic. During his press conference following the talks, Minister of National Defense Chang Wanquan condemned Prime Minister Abe for not only striking a severe blow to China-Japan relations but for also posing a threat to regional peace and stability. What is your opinion of this allegation from the Chinese side?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: Such condemnations are completely off the mark. Prime Minister Abe has always said that the door is open for dialogue, and has been calling for Japan-China dialogue. Furthermore, regarding Asia as a whole, the Prime Minister has, for example, been devoting much energy to holding meetings with ASEAN leaders and is leading the debate on maritime security. As such, I would say that a core aspect of the Abe administration’s current Asian diplomacy is to make significant contributions to regional stability. Therefore, I believe China’s condemnations are completely off the mark.

REPORTER: President Obama will be visiting Japan as a state guest. However, I understand that First Lady Michelle Obama will not be accompanying the President. Could you please share your comments on this?      

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: We have already made a Cabinet decision to welcome President Obama as a state guest. However, I have not yet confirmed who will be accompanying the President nor in what capacity they will do so. During his trip, the President will not only be visiting Japan but a number of other countries as well. It is my understanding therefore that this will also factor into the decision by the U.S. side. I have not yet been informed about who will accompany President Obama, including the First Lady.

REPORTER: U.S. Secretary of State Kerry has pointed out Russia’s involvement in the series of declarations made by pro-Russian forces calling for the formation of a republic in eastern Ukraine. Can you once again explain the view of the Japanese Government?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: The Government of Japan is deeply concerned about the situation in eastern Ukraine. At this stage, we are working hard to collect information. In any case, the position of Japan is to continue to strongly urge all parties concerned to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and to resolve the situation peacefully.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a related question. Secretary of State Kerry mentioned the possibility of additional sanctions should the situation worsen. What is the Japanese Government’s view regarding the possibility of additional sanctions?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: At this stage, we are still working hard to collect information. As such, at this moment in time, nothing is decided.

(Abridged)