Press Conferences

Hokkaido Shimbun, Bun: I would like to ask about the situation in Ukraine. A U.S.-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk was held yesterday. Although both sides did not agree on the issue of NATO’s expansion, it seems they agreed to continue the dialogue. My first question is what is your reaction and assessment of this? Moreover, various countries, centered on the United States, are making diplomatic efforts to urge Russia to ease tensions in their own ways. Please tell us your thoughts on whether Japan will take some sort of approach toward the Government of Russia to ease tensions.

Ms. ONO Hikariko, Press Secretary: Beginning with my reaction to the current situation in Ukraine, I recognize that the unpredictable situation is continuing in which there are growing tensions due to the buildup of the Russian military in the border area with Ukraine.

There are developments in the diplomatic efforts by the relevant countries you pointed out. But on the other hand, we recognize that the situation could suddenly change going forward.

Regarding Japan’s position and response, we have been requesting Russia to ease tensions and pursue dialogue through diplomatic channels. We will continue to respond appropriately in cooperation with the international community, including the G7.

Specifically, as written in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Russia and Ukraine issued in December 2021, we are calling on Russia to de-escalate and pursue diplomatic channels. In addition, during the Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk on November 25, 2021, Foreign Minister Hayashi conveyed to Foreign Minister Lavrov that Japan was concerned about the worsening situation and was closely following the situation with great interest. We have been continuing to urge Russia to ease tensions at various levels.

In addition, Japan and the United States have been sending clear messages to Russia during opportunities such as the recent Japan-U.S. Summit Video Teleconference Meeting and the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk held today.

Asahi Shimbun, Aibara: I would like to ask about the issue of novel coronavirus and the USFJ. During Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno’s press conference yesterday, he disclosed that the antigen tests conducted upon arrival in Japan for USFJ personnel were different than the method used by Japan. He also stated that this would probably be discussed in the Subcommittee of the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee. My first question is whether MOFA has already proposed this in the Subcommittee. In addition, why does Japan think it is desirable to make the USFJ’s antigen test method match Japan’s? Furthermore, do you plan to request the USFJ to conduct PCR tests, which is what the Liberal Democratic Party wants? Please answer these three questions.

Press Secretary Ono: As Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno also explained in his press conference, we have been making requests to the USFJ in various forms.

Actually, we received an answer from the USFJ that their use of “PCR tests or antigen tests” was in accordance with the guidelines of the CDC and the U.S. Department of Defense, and that both sets of guidelines only allowed the antigen tests to be qualitative antigen tests.

Based on this answer, we will further deepen discussions through exchanges between the health authorities of Japan and the United States in the Subcommittee on Quarantine and Health that was newly established recently.

In terms of whether meetings have already been conducted, the Subcommittee was just newly established. As Foreign Minister Hayashi stated yesterday, we will deepen understanding through discussions in the Subcommittee and discussions among the health authorities of Japan and the United States.

Asahi Shimbun, Aibara: Will the Government of Japan request through the Subcommittee that PCR tests be conducted?

Press Secretary Ono: The discussions in the Subcommittee will be held going forward, so I do not have an answer on the details.

In any event, we should exert maximum efforts to prevent the further spread of infections and alleviate and eliminate concerns of the local people. Through the discussions in the Subcommittee to contribute to that, we will do all we can to confirm close Japan-U.S. cooperation for the ultimate goal of preventing the further spread of infections and alleviating local concerns as much as possible.