Press Conferences

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have one announcement.

Japan has decided to provide through the COVAX Facility a total of about 2.2 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in Japan once the coordination is completed to five countries where there is demand for novel coronavirus vaccines: Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and Cameroon. This will be Japan’s first provision of vaccines to Sub-Saharan Africa. We plan to send the vaccines sequentially once the preparation is complete.

In addition, we recently provided about additional 2.7 million doses of vaccines directly to Indonesia. We have also recently decided to additionally provide about 1.7 million doses of vaccines directly to Viet Nam, and plan to sequentially send the vaccines from today.

With this provision, Japan will have provided about 42 million doses of vaccines.

It is important to advance equitable access and spread of vaccines throughout the world to bring an end to the novel coronavirus. Our policy is to continue to provide vaccines while taking into account the aspects including domestic production and use conditions, the infection situations in various countries and regions, and the demand for vaccines.

That is all from me.

Nikkei Shimbun, Miki: I would like to ask about the situation in Ukraine. Yesterday, MOFA raised the Travel Advice and Warnings for Ukraine to Level 3: Avoid All Travel. Please tell us again about the Government of Japan’s recognition of the current situation in Ukraine.

Moreover, please tell us if the Government is considering raising the level to Evacuate and Avoid All Travel later. The Government issued an alert through spot information to Japanese residents on January 19. If you are aware, please give us the number of Japanese residents who evacuated outside the country after that.

Minister Hayashi: The current unpredictable situation is continuing as tensions increase due to the buildup of Russian troops in the border region near Ukraine. Although there are developments in diplomatic efforts made by relevant countries, it is possible that the situation could suddenly change going forward.

Concerning the handling of the embassy staff, we are appropriately responding based on the local situation while exerting all efforts to ensure the safety of Japanese residents.

In addition, regarding the further raise of the Level, we are strongly calling for Japanese residents to leave the country at an early stage using commercial flights. We will continue to exert all efforts to ensure the safety of Japanese residents while monitoring the local situation.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Yoda: Over one week has passed since the volcanic eruption occurred in Tonga. Please tell us the current situation of support from the Government of Japan, as well as if there have been any developments regarding the future policy.

Minister Hayashi: Japan has extremely friendly relations with Tonga, including the connection between the Imperial Family of Japan and the Royal Family of Tonga. Japan has been consistently supporting Tonga toward the country’s social and economic development, including novel coronavirus countermeasures.

The Government of Tonga, including the Prime Minister, has expressed profound appreciation and deep gratitude for Japan’s swift support. I believe that the foundation for this appreciation is the trust that has been built up between the two countries over many years.

Tonga is an irreplaceable partner for Japan, including for cooperation in the international arena. Japan will continue to provide strong support for the swift recovery of Tonga.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Yoda: I would like to ask a relevant question. You just mentioned that Tonga is an irreplaceable partner. South Pacific countries including Tonga are currently under the influence of China. What is the recognition of the Government of Japan regarding this?

Minister Hayashi: I believe that Pacific Island countries, including the South Pacific area which Tonga is part of, are traditionally countries that are friendly toward Japan, share fundamental values of democracy and the rule of law, and are extremely important partners from the perspective of realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”

As indicated by the name “Pacific Bond (KIZUNA) Policy” announced last year at the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) in 2021, Japan has cultivated bonds with Pacific Island countries over more than 20 years, including through the PALM which has been held nine times.

We will continue to work to strengthen relations with Pacific Island countries.

NHK, Aoki: I would like to ask about the spread of infections among the USFJ. Infection control measures were relaxed within facilities used by U.S. Forces in September 2021, but MOFA only realized it in December. It was agreed in 2020 that the United States would take quarantine measures in conformity with those of Japan, but I believe that the United States did not keep its promise.

As Japan strengthens its border measures amidst the spread of the Omicron variant, please tell us why Japan was slow to confirm with the U.S. military and your recognition of whether this response was a problem.

Minister Hayashi: We received an explanation from the U.S. side that based on the U.S. Department of Defense’s policy for the entire world due to the progress in vaccination of the U.S. Forces and the improving global infection conditions, the USFJ exempted vaccinated people from pre-departure novel coronavirus tests from September 3, 2021, although it has implemented such testing before. Based on the strong protest from the Japanese side, the USFJ re-introduced pre-departure testing from December 2021, and now pre-departure testing and testing upon arrival are conducted for all people related to the USFJ.

We have been providing detailed explanations on changes in Japan’s measures whenever there are changes and have been asking the United States to cooperate so that their measures conform to the changes. However, we cannot deny that there were insufficient aspects to our efforts to ensure the United States’ measures were in conformity, and we take this seriously.

Based on this reflection, we will further strengthen Japan-U.S. cooperation regarding health and hygiene issues toward thorough implementation of infection prevention measures and alleviating local concerns while monitoring future infection conditions through constructive consultations among the Japanese and U.S. authorities based on the statement by the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee on January 9.

NHK, Aoki: I have a relevant question. To the extent that you can answer, please tell us about the insufficient aspects that you just mentioned.

Minister Hayashi: I meant the insufficient aspects to the efforts to make the U.S. border measures be in line with Japan’s border measures. Firstly, there was the period when pre-departure testing was not conducted from September 3, 2021, until December 26, 2021, when the testing was implemented again due to Japan’s protests, including at my level.

Secondly, regarding the waiting period following the entry into Japan, the measure of shortening the period to 10 days implemented from October 1, 2021, in Japan was suspended on November 30 due to the spread of the Omicron variant, and the previous 14-day waiting period was restored. Although the United States shortened the period of movement restrictions to 10 days from October 1, 2021, like Japan, it only returned to the 14-day period on December 20.

Another insufficient aspect related to infection prevention measures was that the wearing of masks became compulsory at all U.S. facilities and areas on January 7.

As I stated before, we will further strengthen Japan-U.S. cooperation based on this reflection.

Jiji Press, Tanaka: I would like to ask about the situation in Ukraine. Concerning the way to think about economic sanctions against Russia, western countries have warned that they will take strong measures if Russia invades Ukraine. It is believed that this will lead to deterring Russia’s adventurism. Does Japan intend to participate?

Minister Hayashi: Regarding Japan’s response if Russia invades Ukraine, I would like to refrain from answering hypothetical questions. Japan will continue to appropriately respond in cooperation with the international community, including the G7.

Asahi Shimbun, Nohira: I would like to ask about the situation in Ukraine. I feel there is a gap in the recognition of the level of tension in Ukraine among, for example, the United States, the EU, and Ukraine which is the country concerned. The United States has indicated that a Russian military invasion could occur at any time. Does the Government of Japan have the same recognition of the level of tension as the United States?

Minister Hayashi: As I stated before, the current unpredictable situation is continuing as tensions increase due to the buildup of Russian troops in the border region near Ukraine. Although there are developments in diplomatic efforts made by relevant countries, it is possible that the situation could suddenly change going forward. It is as I stated earlier.

In that sense, to exert all efforts to protect Japanese nationals in Ukraine, yesterday Japan decided to raise the Travel Advice and Warnings for all of Ukraine, including the capital Kiev, to Level 3: Avoid All Travel, and strongly recommended all nationals currently staying in Ukraine to prepare for the situation to suddenly change and to leave the country using commercial flights and other means that are currently being operated. I believe that the level of “Avoid All Travel” is similar to that of various other countries.

TV Asahi, Sawai: I would like to ask about the border measures. Yesterday, Chairman Tokura of Keidanren appealed for the repeal of the measure banning new entry into Japan by foreign nationals, stating that there is no need to take a so-called isolationist policy now that the Omicron variant is surging in Japan, and that business is not viable only in Japan. In thinking about a balance of novel coronavirus measures and the economy, as the Omicron variant has already been spreading in Japan, please tell us again whether you will continue the strict border measures that will end at the end of February?

Minister Hayashi: Is your question about new entry into Japan by foreign nationals?

TV Asahi, Sawai: Yes.

Minister Hayashi: The Government of Japan has decided to maintain the framework of the current border measures, including suspension of new entry into Japan by foreign nationals, for the time being until the end of February. We are conducting strict examinations regarding new entry into Japan based on special exceptional circumstances, and responding as necessary from a humanitarian perspective and based on national interest.

Amidst this situation, so far, we have allowed entry into Japan while taking necessary disease control measures based on individual circumstances in cases requiring humanitarian consideration and the like. We have been responding by taking into account the individual circumstances such as cases of foreign national spouses who need to live together with their families when they have been separated.

The ministries and agencies concerned will take necessary responses based on infection conditions inside and outside Japan.

Niigata Shimbun, Endo: I would like to ask about the Sado Island Gold Mines. There is one week left until the deadline of February 1 for submitting a recommendation. Please tell us again where you are with the Government’s comprehensive consideration. Furthermore, during the Budget Committee session yesterday, you mentioned the leading role played by Japan in the reform of rules for UNESCO’s Memory of the World Program. It has been pointed out that there are different rules for the Memory of the World Program and World Cultural Heritage. Please also tell us your reaction to what has been pointed out.

Minister Hayashi: Firstly, regarding the status of consideration, currently the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as well as MOFA is in the midst of comprehensive consideration from the perspective of what would be most effective to realize the World Heritage registration of Sado Island Gold Mines. In addition, as I stated in the Diet session, Japan has been leading UNESCO reform until today. In April 2021, Japan introduced a formal objections system so that new inscriptions for the Memory of the World Program do not proceed until there is resolution through dialogue among relevant countries on issues that the countries do not agree on. The Government of Japan will continue to comprehensively consider including the points I just mentioned from the perspective of what would be most effective to realize the registration of Sado Island Gold Mines.

Independent Web Journal, Hamamoto: I would like to ask about the environmental pollution issue of the U.S. military bases. On December 28, 2021, Okinawa Prefecture announced that it detected perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), which is suspected to be carcinogenic, at a concentration of 1,660 times the national water quality control standard in the U.S. military base in Uruma City. The study results were reported to the Ministry of Defense about four months ago, but the governments of Japan and the United States have not reached an agreement and the official announcement has been delayed. The Agreement to Supplement the Japan-U.S. SOFA on Environmental Stewardship signed in 2015 includes mutual sharing of information, the Japan Environmental Governing Standards (JEGS), procedures for access, and consultations in the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee, but are these being appropriately applied? Moreover, have explanations and compensation been appropriately and smoothly provided to the people of Japan? I believe that the Government of Japan should request the United States and the U.S. military to drastically review the SOFA in order to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people of Japan. What do you think?

Minister Hayashi: Regarding the series of issues including PFOS, the entire Government of Japan is working in cooperation with relevant local governments and the U.S. side to alleviate the concerns of the people of Japan, including the people of Okinawa Prefecture.

For the case of the water leak at the army fuel facility in June 2021, based on the Agreement to Supplement the Japan-U.S. SOFA on Environmental Stewardship signed in 2015, the national government, relevant local governments, and the U.S. side closely cooperated, and Japanese personnel entered the facility based on the Agreement, confirmed the site, and conducted a sampling study.

Concerning the case of the water leak at the army fuel facility in June 2021 that you just pointed out, the national government, Okinawa Prefecture, and the U.S. side conducted their respective analysis of the water samples, shared their analysis results, and coordinated toward making an announcement. As a result, the announcement was made in December 2021.

The Government of Japan believes that it is important to operate such a framework to respond to the concerns of the local people. We will continue to work to ensure effective environmental measures both inside and outside USFJ facilities and areas.

Kyodo News, Maeda: I would like to ask about the reopening of the Japanese Embassy in Afghanistan. Ambassador Okada announced today that he visited Kabul from mid to late January. It seems that he met with Second Deputy Prime Minister Hanafi and others during his visit. Please tell us if he exchanged views regarding reopening the Japanese Embassy in Afghanistan and if there is an outlook on the reopening.

Minister Hayashi: As you just stated, the Japanese Ambassador to Afghanistan Okada visited Kabul from January 17-24 local time, and held working-level consultations with Taliban leaders. Since the deterioration of the situation in Afghanistan, this is the second visit that Ambassador Okada has paid to Kabul following his visit in November 2021. About the Japanese Embassy which you just mentioned, although the reopening of the embassy was discussed during the meeting, we do not have any specific plan to reopen the embassy at this point.