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At a meeting of the Committee on Budget of the House of Representatives on the afternoon of August 23, intensive discussion took place on the theme of foreign policy and security, among other matters. With focus on recent landings on the Senkaku Islands and Takeshima, DPJ House of Representatives member Shuji Kira asked Prime Minister Noda and relevant ministers their perspectives on: 1) the DPJ administration’s position on protecting Japanese territories and territorial waters, and its specific initiatives and outcomes; 2) the latest incident involving the Senkaku Islands; 3) dynamic defense force and the defense of islands; 4) the bolstering of the Japan Coast Guard; and 5) the Takeshima issue.
Kira began by underlining that, “The survival and prosperity of the country depend on foreign policy and security, where there is inter-country coordination and cooperation on the one hand and inter-country diplomatic clashes on the other hand.” He contended that in responding to foreign policy and security matters, cooperation across party lines is imperative for the sake of the nation’s interest.
Based on this, Kira asked about the Noda administration’s basic position and specific initiatives for protecting Japanese territories and territorial waters, represented by the Senkaku Islands and Takeshima. PM Noda noted that “Territories and territorial waters are vital for Japan, a seafaring nation, and the Government will respond resolutely with unwavering resolve to incidents involving Japanese territories and territorial waters.” Regarding specific initiatives, PM Noda stated, “The Government has been promoting initiatives for the stable maintenance and management of remote islands, including the naming of remote islands to establish the basis of our Exclusive Economic Zone, and has made efforts to strengthen the patrol arrangements in territorial waters through measures such as strengthening the surveillance arrangements of the Japan Coast Guard. The Government is requesting the extension of the continental shelf, and, with regard to the Takeshima issue, proposed to the Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to institute proceedings before the International Court of Justice. These are among our recent efforts to convey the legitimacy of Japan’s position to the international community. The Government will continue to strengthen patrol arrangements and actively underscore Japan’s position to the international community, and through such efforts, vigorously promote initiatives for protecting Japanese territories and territorial waters.”
With regard to the latest Senkaku incident, Kira commended the response of the Government, led by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Police Agency, and the Japan Coast Guard, as “extremely calm and organized.” Once again, he inquired about the Government’s basic policy. Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba stressed, “Based upon international law and in light of historical facts, there is no doubt that the Senkaku Islands are an inherent territory of Japan. There exists no issue of territorial sovereignty concerning the Senkaku Islands.” Regarding the illegal landing of Hong Kong activists, Gemba stated, “I have to say that the act is regrettable. In addition to lodging protests following the landing, we need to make efforts to prevent a reoccurrence. The Government has already lodged protests at the high level and plans to establish lines of communication.”
Kira stated, as a basic position of Japan, that “The Senkaku Islands are undoubtedly an inherent territory of Japan, and Japan must not make even the slightest concession.” Meanwhile, he emphasized that “Excessive tension and excessive friction that would harm our national interest must be avoided. We cannot provoke.” Amid the pressure on the Government to pursue such challenging responses, Kira noted, with regard to future Government initiatives, the need to establish a Japanese version of the National Security Council (NSC, the U.S. President's principal forum) as stated in the National Defense Program Guidelines, and to hold second track talks among Japanese and Chinese intellectuals and experts with a view of establishing negotiation channels not only at the government level but also at various other levels.
Regarding President Lee Myung-bak’s landing on Takeshima and his comment directed towards His Majesty the Emperor, Kira stated that it was “disrespectful and regrettable,” and noted the need to strengthen Japan’s arrangements for territorial issues. Furthermore, Kira stated that “The ROK is an important neighboring country, and the incidents are being propelled to some extent by the ROK’s current domestic situation. I ask that resolute and calm responses are taken so as to not decisively worsen bilateral relations.”
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