Press Conferences

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have one announcement. On the night of January 20, the Sixth Japan-France Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting (“2+2”) is planned to be held in the teleconference format. Defense Minister Kishi and I will attend from the Japanese side, and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Le Drian and Minister of the Armed Forces Parly will attend from the French side.

During the meeting with France, which is Japan’s Special Partner with which we share fundamental values and strategic interests, we will have wide-ranging discussions on issues such as Japan-France security and defense cooperation as well as regional affairs, and further strengthen bilateral cooperation. That is all from me.

NHK, Aoki: Regarding the Japan-France “2+2” that you just mentioned, what topics are expected to be discussed?

Minister Hayashi: During the meeting with France, which is Japan’s Special Partner with which we share fundamental values and strategic interests, we will have wide-ranging discussions on issues such as Japan-France security and defense cooperation as well as regional affairs, and further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Hokkaido Shimbun, Bun: I would like to ask about diplomacy with Russia. At a press conference in Moscow on January 14, Foreign Minister Lavrov stated that his visit to Japan is being coordinated, and the date will probably be decided within two to three months. Please tell us the status of coordination for his visit.

As for my second question, during his press conference, Foreign Minister Lavrov mentioned the conclusion of a peace treaty without preconditions, that the Japan-U.S. Alliance is an obstacle to the development of Japan-Russia relations and expressed the recognition that the Northern Territories became Russian territory as a result of World War II. Please tell us again the Government of Japan’s position and views on this.

Minister Hayashi: I am aware of the statements by Foreign Minister Lavrov at his press conference that you pointed out. I would like to refrain from commenting on each of his statements.

Japan has sovereignty over the Four Northern Islands. The Government of Japan will continue to persistently work on this issue under our basic policy of resolving the attribution issue and concluding a peace treaty.

In addition, nothing has been decided regarding the date of Foreign Minister Lavrov’s visit to Japan. I held a Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk with Foreign Minister Lavrov in November 2021 and we shared the view that we expect to hold an in-person meeting. We will coordinate toward realizing his visit to Japan at an appropriate time while monitoring the situation of the novel coronavirus and other aspects.

Asahi Shimbun, Nohira: I would like to ask about the volcano that erupted near Tonga. Please tell us what MOFA knows about the current status of Japanese nationals there, and what support you seek to provide.

Minister Hayashi: I am aware that the large-scale volcanic eruption that occurred near Tonga caused flood damage to buildings centered on the capital, as well as power outages and telecommunications failures. Damage is being confirmed on Tongatapu Island where the capital city is located, and the Government of Tonga has confirmed at least two deaths. The Government of Tonga has also explained that dozens of buildings were either partially or completely destroyed. On the other hand, the damage has still not been confirmed for the remote islands where telecommunication cables have been disconnected. The Tongan Maritime Force dispatched vessels and is confirming the damage conditions. Getting a full grasp of the damage will take time.

About 40 Japanese nationals are residing in Tonga based on the Overseas Residential Registration as of January 15. We have not received any information from Tonga about deaths or injuries of Japanese nationals through now. In any event, the Government of Japan will continue to exert all efforts for the safety of Japanese nationals.

Regarding our support for Tonga, Japan will closely communicate with the Government of Tonga and relevant countries while working to get an accurate grasp of the local situation and provide as much support as possible.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Abe: I would like to ask about the Sado Mines that were selected to be Japan’s recommended candidate for World Cultural Heritage at the end of last year. The Council for Cultural Affairs decided at the end of last year that the Government should conduct comprehensive consideration on whether or not to recommend the Sado Mines. Please tell us what specific perspectives the consideration is being taken from, as well as the current status of consideration.

Minister Hayashi: The Government of Japan is conducting comprehensive consideration in response to the report by the Council for Cultural Affairs. Comprehensive consideration is being conducted within the Government from the perspective of what would be most effective in order to achieve the registration.

NHK, Aoki: About Tonga from earlier, has the Government of Japan communicated at least once with each of the 40 people who have submitted Overseas Residential Registration?

Minister Hayashi: Yes, it is as I stated earlier about the Japanese nationals residing in Tonga. Please ask the Consular Affairs Bureau for details.

Chugoku Shimbun, Higuchi: Yesterday, Prime Minister Kishida stated in his policy speech that he aims to hold a meeting of the International Group of Eminent Persons for a World without Nuclear Weapons in Hiroshima within this year. I believe that MOFA will be involved when it comes to a “world without nuclear weapons.” My first question is, do you believe this is an effective measure toward a world without nuclear weapons? How will the meeting be realized, in terms of political leaders from various countries? Please answer these two questions.

Minister Hayashi: In his policy speech yesterday, Prime Minister Kishida announced the establishment of the International Group of Eminent Persons for a World without Nuclear Weapons. In this so-called “International Group of Eminent Persons,” we would like for it to go beyond the respective positions of nuclear-weapon countries and non-nuclear-weapon countries, and for participants from various countries to jointly contribute their wisdom, and freely discuss the specific path toward realizing a world without nuclear weapons.

Prime Minister Kishida established a Group of Eminent Persons when he served as Minister for Foreign Affairs, and experts from Japan and other countries participated in it. We would like this new “International Group of Eminent Persons” to have some form of participation from current and former political leaders, and for it to be a group that raises global momentum toward a world without nuclear weapons.

Our aim is for the first meeting to be held in Hiroshima within this year. Coordination will be advanced going forward on the participants and other such details will be advanced

Chugoku Shimbun, Higuchi: I believe the Group would attract considerable attention for having former and current global political leaders. What perspectives will you take in reaching out to and selecting leaders?

Minister Hayashi: As I stated before, we would like the Group to freely discuss the specific path toward realizing a world without nuclear weapons, and raise global momentum toward a world without nuclear weapons. I think the personnel will be chosen from that perspective. The details will be decided going forward.

Kyodo News, Maeda: I would like to return to the issue of the Sado Mines from earlier. The Government of Japan is going through a comprehensive consideration. On the other hand, the Republic of Korea (ROK) is showing opposition. Please tell us your view on whether the ROK’s opposition and diplomatic concerns will be factored in.

Minister Hayashi: I am aware of the ROK’s position. Japan has appropriately lodged a protest to the ROK side based on our position. We lodged a protest based on Japan’s consistent position regarding the issue of the former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula. We will continue with our comprehensive deliberation from the perspective of what would be most effective in order to realize the registration.

Asahi Shimbun, Nohira: Just to follow up on the question just now, you stated that you will be looking at this issue from the perspective of what would be most effective to realize the registration. For example, would you consider the standpoint of whether or not you can gain an understanding of other countries?

Minister Hayashi: It is as I stated before. The Government is comprehensively considering this issue from the perspective I have just stated. I would like to refrain from commenting on any details beyond that.

Independent Web Journal, Hamamoto: I would like to ask one question about Japan-U.S. relations. A little while ago on January 7 in Tokyo, you and Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Raymond Greene of the U.S. Embassy in Japan exchanged letters on joint research, development, and investigation based on the Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement between Japan and the United States. The MOFA website says that this will contribute to efficiently strengthening Japan’s defense capabilities and ensuring the technological superiority of the Japan-U.S. Alliance. In addition, the Harvard Kennedy School in the United States released a report on December 7, 2021. The report is also known as the “Allison Report,” using the name of one of the authors: Professor Graham Allison, a former Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School. The report introduces various recognitions regarding China’s technological superiority. Its analysis mentions that China already has the world’s number one status in several technology fields and that it will surpass the United States in other fields within 10 years. Under the alliance with the United States, Japan is currently taking measures with China as a hypothetical enemy such as for a Taiwan contingency and enemy base strike capability. Is it not the case that the Government is thinking that a technological superiority of the Japan-U.S. Alliance can be maintained by relying Japan’s policy solely on the United States and being a subordinate of the United States? Can it be said that Japan is seriously taking the path of an independent state to calmly and directly respond to China’s technological and economic rise? Firstly, please tell us if you have studied the “Allison Report.”

Minister Hayashi: I am aware of the “Allison Report,” but I have not thoroughly read and analyzed it yet. I would like to have an occasion later to do so.

Regarding the Japan-U.S. Alliance and Japan-China diplomacy, needless to say, the Japan-U.S. Alliance is the linchpin of Japan’s diplomacy and security, and the cornerstone of the peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region and the international community. I believe that as the security environment surrounding Japan grows increasingly severe, the importance of the Japan-U.S. Alliance is increasing more than ever before.

On the other hand, concerning the relations with China, because China is a neighboring country, there are various issues. There are strong security concerns in the region, including Japan, and the international community regarding China’s unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea, including the situation of the Senkaku Islands, and the South China Sea, as well as China’s expansion and increase in military activity near Japan. We will state what needs to be stated to China and strongly request China to take responsible actions. Based on the Japan-U.S. Alliance, Japan will firmly defend our peace and security, our territory, including the Senkaku Islands, territorial sea, airspace, and the free and open international order. At the same time, we will firmly hold dialogues with China, including on various unresolved issues, and cooperate on various common challenges. Keeping in mind that this year is the 50th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China relations, we will aim to build constructive and stable relations.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: My question is about the abductees. It has been a lingering problem and humanitarian with catastrophic consequence on the families. Will Japan be willing to ask other countries who have experience in regaining their abductees from North Korea for kind of help or coordination, such as Lebanon for example in the Middle East. Especially some Middle East countries have diplomatic relations with North Korea and that might be helpful.

Minister Hayashi: On the abductions issue, in addition to directly urging North Korea, we have also repeatedly provided explanations of Japan’s position on the issue using all high-level opportunities to various relevant countries, including Middle Eastern countries that you mentioned, and received support and understanding from many countries. The abductions issue is a matter of utmost priority to the administration. I would like to refrain from speaking about the details of individual cases of cooperation. Going forward, as we closely cooperate with the international community including various Middle Eastern countries, we will take utmost action to realize the earliest possible repatriation of all the abductees without missing any opportunity.