Speeches by the Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu

Amidst the shifts in the balance of power and the intensification of conflict and confrontation, the world is currently undergoing the most significant structural changes since the end of WWII. The security environment surrounding the international community and Japan is undergoing rapidly, accelerating changes across various fields.

Concerning developments continue, including Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the unstable situation in the Middle East, China's diplomatic posture and military activities around Japan, and North Korea's nuclear and missile development, as well as the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

With international relations remaining severe, expectations for Japan are growing. As Minister for Foreign Affairs, to promote the “‘Responsible Japanese Diplomacy’ Creating Peace and Prosperity” advocated by the Takaichi Cabinet, and to proactively fulfill the roles and responsibilities expected of Japan by the international community across various fields, I will develop a “diplomacy that had inclusiveness and strength leading multifaceted and multi-layered cooperation” which is responsive to changes in the international community.

The Japan-U.S. Alliance is the cornerstone of Japan’s foreign and security policy, and the foundation of the peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. We will further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance.

At the same time, in addition to the steady implementation of the agreement on tariffs between Japan and the U.S., we will also expand Japan-U.S. cooperation in a wide range of fields, including economic security. We will further strengthen our multilayered people-to-people exchanges as well. Furthermore, we will also 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.

We will continue to coordinate closely with the United States at all levels, including summit and foreign minister meetings, and will also make the most of opportunities such as the Prime Minister's visit to the United States this spring, which is currently being arranged.

We will upgrade the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” as a pillar of Japanese diplomacy, adapting it to the changes in the times and new challenges encountered over the ten years since its launch. I myself visited the Philippines, India, and other countries at the beginning of the year. And just recently, I strongly emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation among like-minded countries at the Munich Security Conference.

We will continue to further strengthen cooperation with the G7, ASEAN, Australia, India, Pacific Island countries, the EU, NATO, and others, and expand practical and multifaceted cooperation such as among Japan-U.S.-ROK, Japan-U.S.- Australia, Japan-U.S.- Philippines and Japan- Australia-India -U.S. (Quad).

As the security environment surrounding the international community and Japan becomes increasingly severe, we will, under our National Security Strategy, promote defense equipment transfers, the Official Security Assistance (OSA), and cybersecurity. We will also work to strengthen our intelligence capabilities in close coordination with relevant ministries and agencies.

We will promote the rule of law in the international community and work to enhance cooperation in the field of countering terrorism and transnational organized crime, including cybercrime.

Furthermore, we will strengthen our information security infrastructure. Concurrently, to counter foreign information manipulation, including the spread of disinformation, we will advance our information warfare countermeasures, including by strengthening our capabilities for information gathering and analysis, and strategic external communications.

Simultaneously, we will undertake fundamental enhancements to cultural diplomacy, including people-to-people exchanges, to foster an environment where Japan's communications are received positively by other countries.

We will build stable relations with neighboring countries, while directly addressing difficult issues and challenges.

Regarding China, there are a number of challenges and concerns, such as unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea, including the situation surrounding the Senkaku Islands, and the South China Sea, and a series of military activities around Japan. Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are also important.

Our policy of comprehensively promoting a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests” and building a “constructive and stable Japan-China relations” with China remains consistent. Precisely because there are pending issues and challenges, it is all the more important for Japan and China to communicate with each other.

Japan remains open to various dialogues with China. Under this stance, Japan intends to continue responding calmly and appropriately going forward.

The Republic of Korea (the ROK) is an important neighbor that Japan should work with as a partner on challenges in the international community. We will continue to maintain close communication with the ROK side to develop the Japan -ROK relations in a future-oriented and stable manner.

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 peace and prosperity of the region and the world from a broad perspective. As the chair country of the Japan-China-ROK Summit, Japan stands prepared to continue steadily advancing this framework.

North Korea’s nuclear and missile development is totally unacceptable. Furthermore, the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a seriously concerning development, given its impact not only on the situation in Ukraine but also on the security of the region surrounding Japan.

We will advance efforts toward the full implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and seek the complete dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs in cooperation with the international community, including the U.S. and the ROK.

Our basic policy regarding North Korea remains unchanged: we will achieve the normalization of relations 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.

Among these issues, as the abductees and their families are growing older, the return of all abductees at the earliest possible date is our top priority. We will spare no effort and utilize all available means to achieve this.

Japan-Russia relations continue to face a difficult situation, but Japan’s policy is to resolve the issue of the attribution of the four islands and conclude a peace treaty. There are numerous pending issues between Japan and Russia that must be resolved as neighboring countries, and it is necessary to communicate appropriately with the Russian side.

Especially, taking into account the earnest wishes of the elderly former residents of the islands, we will persistently urge the Russian side to resume these initiatives, with a particular focus on grave Visits to Graves in the Northern Territories.

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundations of the international order. We welcome the diplomatic efforts by the U.S. and European nations. It is important that a just and lasting peace be realized as soon as possible. To that end, Japan will continue to work in close cooperation with the G7 and other countries to advance support for Ukraine and promote sanctions against Russia.

The situation in the Middle East remains severe. At the beginning of the year, I visited Israel and Palestine, as well as Qatar which is playing a mediating role. Based on these visits, Japan intends to support the swift implementation of humanitarian assistance in Gaza and its early recovery and reconstruction, and to play an active role in realizing a two-state solution.

In addition, regarding Iran, there are various issues, including the nuclear issue. Japan places importance on resolving issues through dialogue and will continue to make all necessary diplomatic efforts in cooperation with the international community.

Regarding the situation in Venezuela, concerns arising under the Maduro administration, including human rights issues, non-transparent elections, and the outflow of numbers of refugees fleeing Venezuela, continue.

Japan has consistently respected fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Naturally, we also believe that the principles of international law, including the UN Charter, must be respected. Based on our consistent position that it is important for Venezuela to restore stability and achieve democratization as soon as possible, Japan will advance its diplomatic efforts in close cooperation with relevant countries.

Close cooperation with countries of the Global South, which are gaining increasing influence in the international community, is becoming increasingly important. Through ODA, by delivering “visible Japanese development cooperation”, and OSA, we will advance tailored cooperation that takes into account the needs of partner countries, and also promote private investment catalyzed by ODA.

We will strategically and effectively use ODA to address critical issues such as economic security.

With respect to Africa, we will further strengthen ties by building on the operationalization of the “Economic Region Initiative of Indian Ocean-Africa” announced at last year's 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9). Furthermore, with regards to our relationship with Central Asia, we will enhance our cooperation building on the achievements from the outcomes of the Summit of the “Central Asia Plus Japan” Dialogue, respectively.

Regarding economic diplomacy, to enhance Japan's economic power, we will provide diplomatic support for Japan's superior technological and problem-solving capabilities, as well as for Japanese companies' overseas business expansion, thereby contributing to the creation of new markets and innovation.

It is also important to maintain and reinforce a rules-based, free, and fair international economic order. We will work toward maintaining the high standards of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and its strategic expansion, promoting WTO reform, and establishing a "safe, secure, and trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI)" ecosystem.

To address the increasingly critical challenges of economic security, we will make full efforts not only to ensure the stable supply of energy and food, but also to enhance supply chain resilience for including critical minerals, counter economic coercion, and protect and promote critical and emerging technologies.

We will also work toward the success of the GREEN×EXPO 2027.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of Japan's admission to the United Nations. To address the challenges facing the world, we will actively promote UN reform and strengthening of its functions, including Security Council reform, as well as human rights diplomacy in its own way and Women, Peace and Security (WPS).

Furthermore, toward realizing a world without nuclear weapons, we will advance realistic and practical efforts to maintain and strengthen the NPT regime, including through the NPT Review Conference this April.

On global issues such as climate change, global health, and disaster risk reduction, we will advance efforts to achieve the SDGs under the concept of human security and lead international discussions with an eye toward the period beyond 2030.

To achieve even greater results through these diplomatic efforts, we will continue to fundamentally strengthen the structure for implementing foreign and consular policies. Specifically, we will promote the development and resilience of the systems and infrastructure at MOFA and our overseas missions in order to ensure thorough preparedness for crisis response, protecting Japanese nationals, and information security, and to advance proactive diplomacy.

We will also work to reduce passport fees. Furthermore, we will advance initiatives toward realizing a society of well-ordered and harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals, in cooperation with relevant ministries and agencies.

I have now outlined my views on the challenges facing our nation and the measures we are taking to address them. I sincerely ask for the understanding and cooperation of all Diet members and the people of Japan.