Press Conferences

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have just held a Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk with Secretary of State Antony Blinken for approximately 35 minutes.

Secretary Blinken and I shared our serious concerns about North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities, including the ballistic missile launch on January 30, and based on the common understanding that such activities pose a threat to the peace and stability of Japan, the region, and the international community, we concurred to continue close coordination between Japan and the United States, as well as among Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea (ROK), toward the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

In light of the increasingly severe regional security environment, Secretary Blinken and I concurred that it is essential to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance and to continue close coordination between Japan and the United States.

In addition, we confirmed that we will continue to closely follow, with grave concern, Russia’s military build-up in the areas near the border with Ukraine, and our support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and we concurred to continue close coordination.

This was the third telephone talk of this year with Secretary Blinken, following the Japan-U.S. “2+2.” While Japan is facing various kinds of mounting diplomatic challenges including the situation with North Korea, I will continue to closely collaborate and cooperate with Secretary Blinken. That is all from me.

Reporter: Regarding the situations in North Korea and Ukraine, during the telephone talk, was there any new reference to a possible response to North Korea between Japan and the United States, or among Japan, the United States, and the ROK?

Minister Hayashi: As I mentioned earlier, Secretary Blinken and I shared our serious concerns about North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities, including the ballistic missile launch on January 30, and we concurred to continue close coordination between Japan and the United States. I would like to refrain from mentioning further details, as they were part of diplomatic exchanges.

Reporter: Could you please tell us whether today’s telephone talk was called for by Japan? Please also tell us if you exchanged views with Secretary Blinken on specific measures to be taken if Russia invades Ukraine.

Minister Hayashi: Firstly, Japan requested today’s telephone talk.

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, I repeat that we confirmed that we will continue to closely follow, with grave concern, Russia’s military build-up in the areas near the border with Ukraine and our support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and we concurred to continue close coordination between Japan and the United States. However, I would like to refrain from giving you further details, as they were part of diplomatic exchanges.

Reporter: Concerning the situation in Ukraine, yesterday, Secretary Blinken had a Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Did you have any discussion regarding this with Secretary Blinken?

Minister Hayashi: That is also part of diplomatic exchanges, and I would like to refrain from commenting.

Reporter: You stated that these were part of diplomatic exchanges but during the recent Japan-U.S. Summit Video Teleconference Meeting, the two leaders agreed to take firm action if Russia invades Ukraine. Did you confirm this point with Secretary Blinken today?

Minister Hayashi: Since this is a matter confirmed between the two leaders, I did not explicitly make confirmation. We held discussions as though this were a natural prerequisite.

Reporter: Apart from the situations in North Korea and Ukraine, did you also discuss other topics such as the recommendation of Sado Island Gold Mines to UNESCO?

Minister Hayashi: While exchanging views on the regional situations, we discussed Japan-ROK relations. We did not discuss Sado Island Gold Mines.

Reporter: What kind of discussion did you have regarding the Japan-ROK relations?

Minister Hayashi: I would like to refrain from providing any details because this was part of diplomatic exchanges.

Reporter: In the opening remarks, you stated in relation to North Korea that you and Secretary Blinken concurred to continue close coordination between Japan and the United States as well as among Japan, the United States, and the ROK. As a foreign minister, please tell us your thoughts again more specifically on how Japan should face North Korea going forward.

Minister Hayashi: On North Korea, amidst the situation where the security environment surrounding Japan is becoming increasingly severe at an unprecedented speed, I believe that it is necessary to fundamentally strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities to fulfill its defense responsibilities. Regarding what is truly required to that end, Japan is formulating its new National Security Strategy, National Defense Program Guidelines, and Medium-Term Defense Program, and I intend to conduct realistic considerations without eliminating any options, including so-called “enemy base strike capabilities.”

Reporter: I would like to ask about a related question. Could you confirm if you told Secretary Blinken the view that you have just mentioned concerning Japan’s intention to fundamentally reinforce its defense capabilities?

Minister Hayashi: As I mentioned earlier, concerning North Korea, we agreed to continue close coordination between Japan and the United States, as well as among Japan, the United States, and the ROK, towards the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Reporter: In relation to the schedule confirmed between the leaders of Japan and the United States concerning President Biden’s visit to Japan in the first half of this year, did you have any discussion on upcoming diplomatic schedules such as holding a summit meeting with the leaders of the Quad countries?

Minister Hayashi: Diplomatic schedules including summit meetings, which are expected to take place, were not particularly discussed during today’s telephone talk.