Speeches by the Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi

Amid the aggression against Ukraine undermining the international order and with the increasingly severe security environment, Japan will conduct diplomacy that achieves peace for Japan and stability in the region, leading the international community from division to cooperation, with a focus on three points: further strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance, cooperation with allies and like-minded countries to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), and working with the Global South.

I visited Ukraine last November and, having seen the scenes of the aggression, I strengthened my belief that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force should not be tolerated anywhere in the world. As the international community in its entirety faces major challenges to the rule of law, it is necessary to firmly restore an international order based on the rule of law through diplomacy and to ensure peace and stability in the region and around the world. This month, I visited the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and Palau to confirm our cooperation on regional affairs. This week, I also confirmed cooperation in realizing FOIP at foreign ministers' bilateral meetings with the United States, Australia, and India, as well as at the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. Foreign Ministers' Meeting. I will continue to pursue this proactive and strategic diplomacy.

Diplomacy and defense are the very foundation of a country like the two wheels of a cart. I will carry out my duties with a sense of responsibility and urgency, understanding that “a diplomatic failure can lead a country down the wrong path”.

On January 20th, the Trump administration was inaugurated in the United States, and I attended the presidential inauguration ceremony. During my meeting with Secretary of State Rubio, we concurred to further strengthen Japan-U.S. relations and to continue collaborating closely to ensure that the upcoming Japan-U.S. summit will be productive.

The Japan-U.S. Alliance is the cornerstone of Japan’s diplomacy and security, and enhancing and strengthening this Alliance is a top priority for the Ishiba administration. We will also strive to build a strong relationship of trust with the Trump administration and elevate Japan-U.S. cooperation as global partners to even greater new heights.

We will work to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, strengthen the credibility and resilience of extended deterrence, and optimize the posture of U.S. forces in Japan. At the same time, we will continue efforts to mitigate the impact on local communities, including Okinawa, by advancing the relocation of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma to Henoko as soon as possible while maintaining the stable presence of U.S. forces in Japan.

In addition, cooperation on the economic front is equally important. We will further expand and deepen our broad Japan-U.S. collaboration in the economic field, including efforts to increase investment between Japan and the United States, partnership in advanced technology, and cooperation for sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the Indo-Pacific region.

We will also further strengthen our multilayered people-to-people exchanges.

In order to realize FOIP, Japan will further strengthen cooperative relationships with the G7, ASEAN, Australia, India, Republic of Korea, the EU, NATO, and others, and expand practical cooperation, including among Japan-Australia-India-U.S., Japan-U.S.-ROK, and Japan-U.S.-Philippines.

As Japan faces the most severe and complex security environment since the end of WWII, it will work to improve its response capabilities in cyber security, as well as promote the transfer of defense equipment and the Overseas Security Assistance (OSA) program, under the National Security Strategy.

In addition, countering the threat of terrorism and violent extremism, as well as transnational organized crime, including cybercrime, is a critical challenge. We will continue our efforts and contributions to strengthen international cooperation in these areas as well.

We will also continue to do our utmost to address economic security challenges, including enhancing supply chain resilience, countering economic coercion, and protecting and promoting critical and emerging technologies, in close collaboration with our allies and like-minded countries.

In response to international information warfare, such as the spread of disinformation, we will strengthen our capability to collect and analyze information, ensuring timely and appropriate dissemination, while reinforcing our information security infrastructure. At the same time, we will provide information to gain the understanding and support of the Japanese public for our foreign policy by intensifying communication through social networking services, among others.

We will build stable, future-oriented relations with our neighboring countries, while addressing difficult issues head-on.

While there are various potentials for improved ties between Japan and China, there are also many challenges and concerns, such as China’s unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East China Sea, including the waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands and the South China Sea, as well as a series of military activities around our country.

Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are also important. The Government of Japan expresses serious concerns about the human rights situation in China and the developments in Hong Kong.

At the same time, Japan and China share a significant responsibility for the peace and prosperity of the region and the international community.

Under the broad direction of comprehensively promoting a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship based on Common Strategic Interests” and building a “constructive and stable relationship,” Japan and China must work to reduce issues and concerns while increasing cooperation and coordination, as confirmed by Prime Minister Ishiba and President Xi Jinping last year.

Following the announcements by the governments of Japan and China regarding the discharge of ALPS-treated water into the sea and China’s import restrictions on Japanese aquatic products, we will continue to urge the early resumption of imports of Japanese aquatic products by China. We will also do our utmost to secure the early release of Japanese nationals who are being detained and to ensure the safety of all Japanese citizens.

Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are important neighbors that should work as partners on challenges in the international community. The Government of Japan will continue to follow recent developments in the ROK with great interest. In light of the current strategic environment, the importance of Japan-ROK relations remains unchanged. During my recent visit to the ROK, H.E. Cho Tae-yul, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the ROK and I reaffirmed our commitment to continue working closely together, both bilaterally and trilaterally with the U.S., including on policies toward North Korea. Japan will continue to maintain close communication with the ROK.

Takeshima is an inherent part of Japan’s territory, based on historical facts and international law. Japan will address the issue resolutely, in accordance with this consistent position.

Japan-China-ROK trilateral cooperation is also important for regional and global peace and prosperity from a broad perspective, and we will continue to steadily advance this framework as the chair country.

North Korea’s nuclear and missile development is totally unacceptable. We are also deeply concerned about the growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including the engagement of North Korean troops in combat against Ukraine, given its impact not only on the situation in Ukraine but also on the security of the region surrounding Japan.

We will continue to coordinate closely with the international community to ensure the full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions.

Our basic policy remains unchanged: we will achieve the normalization of relations with North Korea, in accordance with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, by comprehensively resolving outstanding issues of concern, such as the abductions, nuclear and missile issues, as well as settlement of the unfortunate past.

In order to achieve the return of all abductees at the earliest possible date and resolve the outstanding issues of concern between Japan and North Korea, the Government of Japan, under the Prime Minister’s strong determination, will spare no effort in taking the most effective measures toward that goal.

In order to stop Russia's aggression against Ukraine and achieve a just and lasting peace as quickly as possible, we will work in close cooperation with the international community, including the G7, to strongly promote support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.

We will also strengthen our efforts to support Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction, through both the public and private sectors.

While Japan-Russia relations continue to face a difficult situation, it is unacceptable for Russia to shift the responsibility onto Japan. We will continue to take a firm stance against unilateral disseminations and measures taken by Russia. At the same time, there are pending issues between Japan and Russia that must be resolved as neighboring countries, and it is essential to communicate appropriately with the Russian side.

We will firmly maintain our policy of resolving the Northern Territories issue and concluding a peace treaty. Regarding the resumption of the Northern Territories Exchange and Visit Program, which is one of our top priorities, we will continue to strongly urge the Russian side to resume the program, with particular focus on visits to the Northern Territories graves.

The situation in the Middle East remains uncertain. Regarding the Gaza Strip, the agreement reached by the parties on the release of hostages and a ceasefire is an important step forward, which we welcome. However, it is imperative to achieve tangible outcomes in improving the humanitarian situation and de-escalating tensions by implementing the agreement steadily and in good faith. In Syria, we strongly hope for an inclusive political solution through dialogue among the Syrian people, and we will provide support to this end. The full implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon is also essential.

We will continue our diplomatic efforts, in close coordination with the G7, the United Nations, and other relevant countries and organizations, to de-escalate the situation as quickly as possible, improve the humanitarian situation, and establish a medium to long-term peace and stability in the region.

It is also important to work closely with the Global South. Specifically, regarding Japan's relationship with Africa, we will collaborate to create solutions to various issues, building on Japan's past efforts and seizing the opportunity presented by the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), to be held in Yokohama in this August. We will also promote fine-tuned diplomacy through close dialogue, utilizing ODA and OSA, and with regard to ODA, we will introduce new mechanisms, such as promoting the mobilization of private finance. We will promote cooperation with Southeast Asia, a region of strategic importance as a marine transportation hub and a global growth center, and strengthen ties with Pacific Island countries based on their needs. We will also strengthen cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries through the “Diplomatic Initiative toward Latin America and the Caribbean.”

For the peace and stability of the international community, promoting mutual understanding through exchanges—both between countries and among people—is crucial. We will further promote people-to-people exchanges with other countries and actively develop cultural diplomacy, while also focusing on fostering understanding of Japan in other countries.

To contribute to the growth of Japan’s economy and regional revitalization, we will support the overseas expansion of Japanese companies, increase exports of Japanese food products, and promote foreign direct investment in Japan. At our diplomatic missions abroad, heads of missions will lead efforts to assist Japanese companies, working with officials in responsible for cross-border economic affairs and business development, and will also promote foreign direct investment in Japan.

Also, we will promote initiatives to ensure the success of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and the International Horticultural Expo 2027, Yokohama, Japan.

It is also important to work toward maintaining and expanding a rules-based, free, and fair economic order. We will pursue WTO reform to further strengthen the multilateral trading system, promote economic partnership agreements, including the CPTPP, achieve safe, secure, and trustworthy AI, and establish international rules in emerging fields, including promoting Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT).

As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary this year, we will work to strengthen its functions, including Security Council reform, with the aim of leading the increasingly divided and confrontational international community toward reconciliation and cooperation.

As the 2025 co-chair of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Focal Point Network, Japan will continue to promote diplomacy centered on human rights and the participation of women.

With regard to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, we will maintain and strengthen the NPT regime and promote realistic and practical efforts toward the realization of a world without nuclear weapons.

Concerning the safety of discharging ALPS-treated water into the sea, we will maintain close coordination with the IAEA, provide clear explanation based on scientific evidence in a highly transparent manner, and seek understanding both domestically and internationally.

On global issues such as climate change, global health, and disaster risk reduction, we will accelerate our efforts to achieve the SDGs by 2030, based on the concept of human security. We will also lead international rule-making, looking toward the SDGs and beyond. Additionally, we will support the activities of Japanese nationals who work in international organizations.

To achieve these goals, we will work to fundamentally strengthen the comprehensive structure for implementing foreign and consular policies, including by enhancing the personnel system, improving financial foundations, streamlining operations, promoting DX, and reforming work styles.

We will also promote the strengthening of diplomatic missions overseas to ensure full preparedness for responding to crises, protecting Japanese nationals, and implementing information security measures.

Based on the above policy, we will strategically and vigorously promote a “diplomacy of dialogue and harmony,” built on the trust the international community has placed in Japan as a peaceful nation. I sincerely request understanding and cooperation of all Diet members and the people of Japan.