Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Director-General level meeting between Japan and ROK

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Tomorrow, a Director-General level meeting will be held between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) for the first time in roughly two months. What kinds of expectations are the Japanese Government going into the meeting with for improving Japan-ROK relations?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: Tomorrow, consultations concerning bilateral issues are set to take place between Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Mr. Junichi Ihara, and Mr. Lee Sang-deok, Director-General for Northeast Asian Affairs of the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who will be visiting Japan. With regard to the agenda, consultations are scheduled to be held on matters of interest to both sides. However, at the present stage, I would like to refrain from responding to questions regarding the content of the consultations.

REPORTER: I have a question in relation to this matter. I understand that Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se of the ROK sat down for an interview with JoongAng Ilbo, an ROK newspaper, and indicated that movement will be seen towards the improvement of Japan-ROK relations. On the subject of a summit meeting, the Foreign Minister stated that it was important for Japan to present a concrete proposal regarding the issue of “comfort women,” and with that as a basis, for the two countries to work towards realizing the meeting. In this regard, the Foreign Minister sought concrete measures. What is the Japan side’s view?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: First of all, regarding the Japan-ROK summit meeting and other meetings, the Prime Minister has repeatedly stated that the door for dialogue is open and that the ROK is an important neighbor for Japan. Our stance remains unchanged. Secondly, at the Director-General level consultations, I think we can anticipate that the comfort women issue will be included in the agenda as before. As for the matters of interest to Japan other than the comfort women issue, past themes have included, for example, import regulations on fishery products. While I do not know if this will be included in the agenda of the upcoming consultations, I hope that thorough discussions will take place also on matters of interest to Japan.