２０１４年８月５日：パート５
本日の午後、内閣府領土対策室のHPとYouTubeにアップされた山本一太領土担当大臣の新たなメッセージ動画（英語全文）は以下のとおり。
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＜Message from Mr. Ichita YAMAMOTO, Minister in charge of Territorial Integrity＞
Hello. My name is Ichita Yamamoto, Minister in charge of Territorial Integrity.
(Japan’s basic stance)
China and the Republic of Korea are both extremely important neighbors of Japan.
China is a global power that has great potential to contribute to the peace and prosperity of the world. Japan’s trade with China was worth about 1 billion US dollars 40 years ago. It has now expanded to reach more than 300 billion US dollars. Today, China is Japan’s largest trading partner.
The Republic of Korea is an important neighbor for us, sharing basic values such as freedom and democracy.
Prime Minister Abe has stressed many times that it is essential for Japan and China to get back to the principle of a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests”. He has also stated that a favorable relationship between Japan and the Republic of Korea is indispensable, not only in bilateral terms, but also in the pursuit of the peace and prosperity of East Asia.
Prime Minister Abe’s stance on this matter has been consistent from the outset: Japan, China and the Republic of Korea should engage in dialogue exactly because there are difficult issues in our bilateral relationships. The door for dialogue is always open on Japan’s side.
The development of Japan-China and Japan-the Republic of Korea relations is vital for the peace and prosperity of the region, but, at the same time, Japan will not compromise on its territorial integrity. Takeshima and the Northern Territories are an inherent part of the territory of Japan seen both from the perspective of historical fact and international law. This is also true for the Senkaku Islands.
The Abe Cabinet has made clear time and again its determination to defend Japan’s territory, territorial waters and air space. It was against this background that, for the first time in Japanese history, a Cabinet Minister in Charge of Territorial Integrity was created under the Abe Cabinet. I became the first cabinet minister in charge of this newly created portfolio.
China and the Republic of Korea have increased the intensity of their international campaign concerning Japan’s territories and sovereignty. There is, however, no question that Japan’s position regarding these issues is solidly founded on the facts and in international law. It is now necessary to take steps to ensure that this point is correctly understood by the rest of the global community.
The Japanese government, with relevant ministries and agencies working as a team, has taken various steps to enhance our communications regarding these issues. Particularly, we are concerned by the allegations that Japan is posing a serious challenge to the Post World War II international order and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Such a notion is of course totally unfounded.
For 69 years since World War II, Japan has consistently walked the path of peace. Japan has championed freedom, democracy, fundamental human rights and the rule of law. Japan is proud of this track record. Japan’s peaceful path will never change.
The important element often missing from the narratives presented by China or the Republic of Korea is that, since the end of World War II, Japan has attached great importance to the development of our relationship with both countries. In fact, Japan has played a significant role in the economic development of both China and the Republic of Korea.
Japan has consistently supported China’s development since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1972. To date, Japan has provided more than three trillion yen worth of ODA to China, in such areas as infrastructure, education, medical services and in the fight against poverty.
In 2008, the leaders of both countries signed the Japan-China Joint Statement on Comprehensive Promotion of a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests”. In that statement, China expressed its positive evaluation of Japan’s consistent pursuit of the path of peace and its 60 year contribution to the peace and stability of the world. Enhancing the partnership between Japan and China is in the interest of not only both countries but also our region and the rest of the world.
Now, let me turn to our relationship with the Republic of Korea. Since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1965, our bilateral relationship has developed significantly. Today, more than 5 million Japanese and Korean nationals travel between the two countries annually. Japan has long provided economic and technical assistance to the Republic of Korea. Our cooperation includes the initial provision of 500 million US dollars in economic assistance following the normalization of our diplomatic relationship. Japan also supported Korea during the Asian Currency and Financial Crisis in 1997. It is a fact that Japan has played a significant role in Korea’s rapid economic development.
In our bilateral summit meeting in 1998, the Republic of Korea expressed its high level of appreciation for Japan’s contribution toward the peace and prosperity of the international community in the Post World War II. Promoting our bilateral relations is beneficial not only for both countries and for East Asia but also for the whole international community. The government of Japan will continue to make efforts to build a more cooperative relationship with the Republic of Korea always from the bigger perspective.
I think it is important not only for the people of China and the Republic of Korea, but also for the rest of the world, to know these facts. Japan, as a peaceful and democratic country, has consistently attached great importance to its relationship with China and the Republic of Korea, and has contributed significantly to their respective development.
Now, I would like to briefly touch upon the assertions made by China and the Republic of Korea respectively concerning Japan’s territorial integrity. Particularly, I would like to point out that the critical elements of these assertions are without any factual grounding.
(Response to Chinese assertions)
It was only in the 1970s that China started to make their unfounded assertions concerning its territorial sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands. China started its campaign just after reports came out, of the existence of possible oil deposits in the East China Sea, in the vicinity of the islands,. Until then, China had never claimed territorial sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands for the more than 70 years since Japan incorporated the islands into its territory. China now claims that the Senkaku Islands were historically part of China, ceded to Japan in 1895 by virtue of the Shimonoseki Treaty that ended the Sino-Japanese War. According to China’s view, these islands were later returned to China as a result of the Cairo Declaration in 1943. This assertion is totally groundless. In the first place, neither the Shimonoseki Treaty nor the Cairo Declaration deals with the Senkaku Islands.
Moreover, the determination of territories and boundaries after a war can only be determined by international agreements. The San Francisco Peace Treaty is such an international agreement, and political documents including the Cairo Declaration are not. Under the San Francisco Peace Treaty, the Senkaku Islands were confirmed as a part of Japan. That is why we see no grounds whatsoever in China’s assertions that territorial title to the islands is at issue.
(Response to Korean assertions)
With regard to Takeshima, I would like to stress the following historical facts. In 1952, the Republic of Korea unilaterally drew the so-called “Syngman Rhee Line” in the high seas, in contravention of international law, placing Takeshima between that Line and the Korean Peninsula.
Since then, the Republic of Korea has been illegally occupying Takeshima. In order to resolve this dispute in a peaceful manner, Japan has repeatedly proposed to the Republic of Korea that the case be referred to the International Court of Justice. However, the Republic of Korea has continued to refuse referral of this case to the ICJ.
(Recent situation in relation to our territorial integrity)
I would also like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to recent developments in relation to our territorial integrity. In recent years, we have seen attempts to change unilaterally the status quo in the region, by force or coercion and intimidation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. As a result, tension in the Asia Pacific is rising. The region, including in areas surrounding Japan, is being disturbed by frequent incidents and behavior that undermines regional peace and stability based on the rule of law.
As Prime Minister Abe stated in his keynote speech at the end of May during the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore, the following principles should apply to any territorial claims:
(a) states shall make and clarify their claims based on international law;
(b) states shall not use force or coercion in trying to drive their claims; and
(c) states shall seek to settle disputes by peaceful means.
It is absolutely necessary that the importance of the rule of law, as reflected in these three principles, is firmly understood and appreciated by all members of the international community.
(Japan’s Path of Peace)
Since the end of World War II, Japan has consistently walked the path of peace. Japan has always abided by international law. Japan has championed freedom, democracy and basic human rights, thereby contributing to the peace and prosperity of Asia and the rest of the world. As close neighbors, Japan, China and the Republic of Korea face common challenges. And we have lent a helping hand to each other in times of difficulty.
Let me stress again that Japan will continue to pursue this path of peace. This is what Prime Minister Abe himself has clearly spelled out over and over again since his cabinet was sworn in in December 2012. This path of peace is the very foundation of Japan’s policy of “Proactive Contribution to Peace” based on the principle of international cooperation. Japan intends to continue working closely with our regional partners and neighbors, in order to maintain and strengthen a regional order based on international law. We must ensure that this region, which has been growing in a dynamic way, continues to enjoy peace and stability as well as prosperity. This is the path forward that Japan will continue to walk.
(Conclusion)
As the first Japanese cabinet minister in charge of territorial integrity, I intend to continue to use every opportunity to explain Japan’s position concerning our territorial integrity to the rest of the world as well as to the people of Japan. I will continue to communicate and explain our position, the historical facts and the relevant international law on which it is based, in a calm and logical manner. Improved communication from the government of Japan to the Japanese people as well as to the rest of the world on this subject is crucial. It promotes and consolidates an international environment where issues and challenges are resolved peacefully on the basis of international law. I would like to continue to seek your support and understanding of Japan’s efforts to this end.
Thank you very much for your attention.
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
「fs山本一太オリジナル曲「素顔のエンジェル」／「マルガリータ」／「かいかくの詩」
本日の午後、内閣府領土対策室のHPとYouTubeにアップされた山本一太領土担当大臣の新たなメッセージ動画（英語全文）は以下のとおり。
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
＜Message from Mr. Ichita YAMAMOTO, Minister in charge of Territorial Integrity＞
Hello. My name is Ichita Yamamoto, Minister in charge of Territorial Integrity.
(Japan’s basic stance)
China and the Republic of Korea are both extremely important neighbors of Japan.
China is a global power that has great potential to contribute to the peace and prosperity of the world. Japan’s trade with China was worth about 1 billion US dollars 40 years ago. It has now expanded to reach more than 300 billion US dollars. Today, China is Japan’s largest trading partner.
The Republic of Korea is an important neighbor for us, sharing basic values such as freedom and democracy.
Prime Minister Abe has stressed many times that it is essential for Japan and China to get back to the principle of a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests”. He has also stated that a favorable relationship between Japan and the Republic of Korea is indispensable, not only in bilateral terms, but also in the pursuit of the peace and prosperity of East Asia.
Prime Minister Abe’s stance on this matter has been consistent from the outset: Japan, China and the Republic of Korea should engage in dialogue exactly because there are difficult issues in our bilateral relationships. The door for dialogue is always open on Japan’s side.
The development of Japan-China and Japan-the Republic of Korea relations is vital for the peace and prosperity of the region, but, at the same time, Japan will not compromise on its territorial integrity. Takeshima and the Northern Territories are an inherent part of the territory of Japan seen both from the perspective of historical fact and international law. This is also true for the Senkaku Islands.
The Abe Cabinet has made clear time and again its determination to defend Japan’s territory, territorial waters and air space. It was against this background that, for the first time in Japanese history, a Cabinet Minister in Charge of Territorial Integrity was created under the Abe Cabinet. I became the first cabinet minister in charge of this newly created portfolio.
China and the Republic of Korea have increased the intensity of their international campaign concerning Japan’s territories and sovereignty. There is, however, no question that Japan’s position regarding these issues is solidly founded on the facts and in international law. It is now necessary to take steps to ensure that this point is correctly understood by the rest of the global community.
The Japanese government, with relevant ministries and agencies working as a team, has taken various steps to enhance our communications regarding these issues. Particularly, we are concerned by the allegations that Japan is posing a serious challenge to the Post World War II international order and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Such a notion is of course totally unfounded.
For 69 years since World War II, Japan has consistently walked the path of peace. Japan has championed freedom, democracy, fundamental human rights and the rule of law. Japan is proud of this track record. Japan’s peaceful path will never change.
The important element often missing from the narratives presented by China or the Republic of Korea is that, since the end of World War II, Japan has attached great importance to the development of our relationship with both countries. In fact, Japan has played a significant role in the economic development of both China and the Republic of Korea.
Japan has consistently supported China’s development since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1972. To date, Japan has provided more than three trillion yen worth of ODA to China, in such areas as infrastructure, education, medical services and in the fight against poverty.
In 2008, the leaders of both countries signed the Japan-China Joint Statement on Comprehensive Promotion of a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests”. In that statement, China expressed its positive evaluation of Japan’s consistent pursuit of the path of peace and its 60 year contribution to the peace and stability of the world. Enhancing the partnership between Japan and China is in the interest of not only both countries but also our region and the rest of the world.
Now, let me turn to our relationship with the Republic of Korea. Since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1965, our bilateral relationship has developed significantly. Today, more than 5 million Japanese and Korean nationals travel between the two countries annually. Japan has long provided economic and technical assistance to the Republic of Korea. Our cooperation includes the initial provision of 500 million US dollars in economic assistance following the normalization of our diplomatic relationship. Japan also supported Korea during the Asian Currency and Financial Crisis in 1997. It is a fact that Japan has played a significant role in Korea’s rapid economic development.
In our bilateral summit meeting in 1998, the Republic of Korea expressed its high level of appreciation for Japan’s contribution toward the peace and prosperity of the international community in the Post World War II. Promoting our bilateral relations is beneficial not only for both countries and for East Asia but also for the whole international community. The government of Japan will continue to make efforts to build a more cooperative relationship with the Republic of Korea always from the bigger perspective.
I think it is important not only for the people of China and the Republic of Korea, but also for the rest of the world, to know these facts. Japan, as a peaceful and democratic country, has consistently attached great importance to its relationship with China and the Republic of Korea, and has contributed significantly to their respective development.
Now, I would like to briefly touch upon the assertions made by China and the Republic of Korea respectively concerning Japan’s territorial integrity. Particularly, I would like to point out that the critical elements of these assertions are without any factual grounding.
(Response to Chinese assertions)
It was only in the 1970s that China started to make their unfounded assertions concerning its territorial sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands. China started its campaign just after reports came out, of the existence of possible oil deposits in the East China Sea, in the vicinity of the islands,. Until then, China had never claimed territorial sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands for the more than 70 years since Japan incorporated the islands into its territory. China now claims that the Senkaku Islands were historically part of China, ceded to Japan in 1895 by virtue of the Shimonoseki Treaty that ended the Sino-Japanese War. According to China’s view, these islands were later returned to China as a result of the Cairo Declaration in 1943. This assertion is totally groundless. In the first place, neither the Shimonoseki Treaty nor the Cairo Declaration deals with the Senkaku Islands.
Moreover, the determination of territories and boundaries after a war can only be determined by international agreements. The San Francisco Peace Treaty is such an international agreement, and political documents including the Cairo Declaration are not. Under the San Francisco Peace Treaty, the Senkaku Islands were confirmed as a part of Japan. That is why we see no grounds whatsoever in China’s assertions that territorial title to the islands is at issue.
(Response to Korean assertions)
With regard to Takeshima, I would like to stress the following historical facts. In 1952, the Republic of Korea unilaterally drew the so-called “Syngman Rhee Line” in the high seas, in contravention of international law, placing Takeshima between that Line and the Korean Peninsula.
Since then, the Republic of Korea has been illegally occupying Takeshima. In order to resolve this dispute in a peaceful manner, Japan has repeatedly proposed to the Republic of Korea that the case be referred to the International Court of Justice. However, the Republic of Korea has continued to refuse referral of this case to the ICJ.
(Recent situation in relation to our territorial integrity)
I would also like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to recent developments in relation to our territorial integrity. In recent years, we have seen attempts to change unilaterally the status quo in the region, by force or coercion and intimidation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. As a result, tension in the Asia Pacific is rising. The region, including in areas surrounding Japan, is being disturbed by frequent incidents and behavior that undermines regional peace and stability based on the rule of law.
As Prime Minister Abe stated in his keynote speech at the end of May during the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore, the following principles should apply to any territorial claims:
(a) states shall make and clarify their claims based on international law;
(b) states shall not use force or coercion in trying to drive their claims; and
(c) states shall seek to settle disputes by peaceful means.
It is absolutely necessary that the importance of the rule of law, as reflected in these three principles, is firmly understood and appreciated by all members of the international community.
(Japan’s Path of Peace)
Since the end of World War II, Japan has consistently walked the path of peace. Japan has always abided by international law. Japan has championed freedom, democracy and basic human rights, thereby contributing to the peace and prosperity of Asia and the rest of the world. As close neighbors, Japan, China and the Republic of Korea face common challenges. And we have lent a helping hand to each other in times of difficulty.
Let me stress again that Japan will continue to pursue this path of peace. This is what Prime Minister Abe himself has clearly spelled out over and over again since his cabinet was sworn in in December 2012. This path of peace is the very foundation of Japan’s policy of “Proactive Contribution to Peace” based on the principle of international cooperation. Japan intends to continue working closely with our regional partners and neighbors, in order to maintain and strengthen a regional order based on international law. We must ensure that this region, which has been growing in a dynamic way, continues to enjoy peace and stability as well as prosperity. This is the path forward that Japan will continue to walk.
(Conclusion)
As the first Japanese cabinet minister in charge of territorial integrity, I intend to continue to use every opportunity to explain Japan’s position concerning our territorial integrity to the rest of the world as well as to the people of Japan. I will continue to communicate and explain our position, the historical facts and the relevant international law on which it is based, in a calm and logical manner. Improved communication from the government of Japan to the Japanese people as well as to the rest of the world on this subject is crucial. It promotes and consolidates an international environment where issues and challenges are resolved peacefully on the basis of international law. I would like to continue to seek your support and understanding of Japan’s efforts to this end.
Thank you very much for your attention.
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
「fs山本一太オリジナル曲「素顔のエンジェル」／「マルガリータ」／「かいかくの詩」