Press Conferences

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: First, I would like to speak about the Emergency Grant Aid in response to the volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga.

On February 4, the Government of Japan decided to extend Emergency Grant Aid of approximately 2.44 million US dollars as humanitarian assistance in response to the damages in Tonga caused by last month’s volcanic eruption and tsunami.

In Tonga, so far, four deaths have been confirmed and reportedly approximately 84% of the entire population has been affected by volcano ash and a tsunami. In the affected areas, emergency relief goods, such as drinking water and food, are needed.

Japan has dispatched the Japan Disaster Relief Team and the Japan Self-Defense Force Units as well as transported emergency relief goods, such as drinking water and equipment for cleaning volcano ash, to Tonga four times. In addition, a transport ship “OSUMI,” which is loaded with emergency relief goods, is scheduled to arrive in Tonga in a few days.

Against this backdrop, the Government of Japan decided to extend the Emergency Grant Aid and will provide humanitarian assistance for water and sanitation, health, food, and telecommunications through appropriate international organizations based on local needs.

Japan will continue to closely coordinate with relevant countries and international organizations to help the earliest recovery and reconstruction of Tonga. That is all from me.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Yoda: I would like to ask about the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. The Government of Japan will not send government officials to the Games. So, how does the Government of Japan intend to develop future Japan-China relations?

Minister Hayashi: I think there are various issues between Japan and China, as we are neighboring countries. Any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, including the water surrounding the Senkaku Islands, and the expansion and intensification of military activities in the areas surrounding Japan are serious security concerns of the international community and the region, including Japan.

On the other hand, Japan-China relations have become increasingly important not only for the two countries but also for the peace and prosperity of the region and the international community. We will firmly maintain and assert our position and strongly request China’s responsible actions, while at the same time, continuing dialogue and cooperating on matters of common interest, including various concerns between the two countries. As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China relations, we aim to build a “constructive and stable relationship” with China.

NHK, Aoki: I would like to ask about the measures against novel coronavirus infections among the USFJ. At the Budget Committee meeting yesterday, you stated that you notified the U.S. side via email of the inaccurate information regarding the exemption of the USFJ from pre-departure tests that the United States had informed Japan about this before December 24, 2021. Please tell us whether the United States has responded to you.

Minister Hayashi: In response to the report on February 2, we notified the USFJ on the same day that the Government of Japan confirmed the information about the exemption of pre-departure tests on December 24, 2021, and that it was a false recognition that the USFJ had notified the Japanese side on this issue before that date.

In their response on February 3, the USFJ explained their understanding of the matter that they had notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the exemption of pre-departure tests while working closely with the Japanese side on the measures against novel coronavirus infections. In response, we clearly reaffirmed once again that we did not receive such a notification.

In light of the inconsistency in the recognition between the two sides, both the Japanese and the U.S. sides agreed to coordinate even more closely through improved channels including the Subcommittee on Quarantine and Health that has just been established to prevent similar miscommunications from occurring from now on.

MOFA has provided the USFJ with detailed explanations on Japan’s measures every time there were any changes, making efforts to coordinate with the USFJ to ensure that the U.S.’s measures were consistent with those changes. However, we acknowledge that MOFA’s efforts to ensure the consistency between Japan’s measures and the U.S.’s measures might have been inadequate at some points and caused the ongoing misunderstanding, and we take this matter seriously.

Based on these reflections, we will continue to firmly coordinate through appropriate channels including the newly established Subcommittee on Quarantine and Health.

NHK, Aoki: I would like to ask a relevant question. As you have stated, Japan and the United States will be working on aligning recognition between the two countries, but could you please tell us more specifically about what kind of inconsistency currently exists between the two sides?

Minister Hayashi: As I have already mentioned, according to the explanation provided by the USFJ, their understanding of the matter was that they had notified MOFA of the exemption of pre-departure tests while working closely with the Japanese side on the measures against novel coronavirus infections. In response, we clearly reaffirmed once again that we did not receive such a notification.

Against this backdrop, the Japanese and the U.S. sides agreed to coordinate even more closely through appropriate channels including the newly established Subcommittee on Quarantine and Health to prevent similar miscommunications from recurring going forward.

Sankei Shimbun, Chiba: Yesterday, you had a telephone talk with Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong of the ROK, in which Foreign Minister Chung asserted regarding Sado Island Gold Mines that Japan is refusing to acknowledge the painful history of forced labor, and in response, you expressed your thoughts. Could you please elaborate on the discussions you had regarding this topic? In addition, did you exchange views or agree on any possibility of holding a face-to-face meeting? Thank you.

Minister Hayashi: The Telephone Talk with Foreign Minister Chung of the ROK on February 3 was held in response to the launch of ballistic missiles by North Korea on January 30. We shared our serious concerns about North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities, 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 ROK, as well as among Japan, the United States, and the ROK.

Foreign Minister Chung made a statement concerning Japan-ROK relations based on the stance of the ROK side. I stated that the Japan-ROK relations continue to be in an extremely difficult situation due to the domestic movement in the ROK regarding the issue of the former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula and the so-called comfort women issue. Furthermore, based on Japan’s consistent positions on these issues, I stated that it is important for the ROK to take responsibility to resolve the issues and strongly urged them to make an appropriate response.

Responding to Foreign Minister Chung’s remark based on the ROK’s unique assertion concerning Sado Island Gold Mines, I protested against it by stating that it was regrettable, and Japan would not accept such a claim. On this basis, the Government of Japan will conduct calm and careful discussions to ensure that the profound value of Sado Island Gold Mines as a cultural heritage site is appreciated by UNESCO, and will sincerely discuss this issue with the ROK.

Regarding the future schedule, nothing has been decided at this point.

Jiji Press, Tanaka: I would like to follow up on the point you just mentioned. In response to the remark by the ROK side, asserting that there was forced labor at Sado Island Gold Mines, you said that the ROK’s claim was unacceptable. Is it correct to understand that the Government of Japan confirmed that there was no forced labor at Sado Island Gold Mines, and then conveyed this information clearly to the ROK side?

Minister Hayashi: I would like to refrain from giving you further details, as they were part of diplomatic exchanges. However, I would like to mention that Foreign Minister Chung remarked as though there was forced labor at Sado Island Gold Mines, and in response, I protested against it by stating that it was regrettable, and we would not accept such a claim.

TV Asahi, Sawai: I would like to ask a relevant question. You have repeatedly stated that you would discuss in a calm, careful manner, but at which levels and in what settings do you consider holding discussions with the ROK side?

Meanwhile, the day before yesterday, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) submitted a resolution that requests you to actively approach the States Parties of the World Heritage Committee and international experts concerning the matter related to Sado Island Gold Mines. Given the situation regarding Sado Island Gold Mines, please tell us how MOFA will work on lobbying and other relevant activities in other countries.

Minister Hayashi: The Government of Japan will conduct calm and careful discussions with other countries including the ROK to ensure that the profound value of Sado Island Gold Mines as a site of cultural heritage is to be appreciated.

Regarding the LDP’s resolution that you have just mentioned, MOFA takes it seriously and will resolutely play our role in the process of considering how to proceed with future discussions with the ROK under the task force to realize the inscription of Sado Island Gold Mines on the World Heritage List.

Kyodo News, Maeda: About the situation in Ukraine, I would like to ask about expected measures against Russia and Japan’s willingness to hold a direct dialogue with Russia. In the recent Japan-U.S. Summit Video Teleconference Meeting, the two leaders agreed to coordinate and take firm action if Russia invades Ukraine. Could you please elaborate on the measures against Russia in terms of specifically what is expected to be implemented? In addition, while European countries have been holding meetings with Russia, is the Government of Japan considering holding a direct dialogue with Russia?

Minister Hayashi: During the Japan-U.S. Summit Video Teleconference Meeting held in December 2021, the Japanese side agreed to consider firm actions to be taken if Russia invades Ukraine while closely coordinating with the United States.

On the situation concerning Ukraine, as written in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Russia and Ukraine issued in December 2021, Japan is calling on Russia to de-escalate and pursue a dialogue through diplomatic channels. During the Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk in November 2021, I conveyed to Foreign Minister Sergey 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.

While maintaining close coordination with the United States and other relevant countries, Japan will continue to respond to the situation appropriately.

Amidst this situation, it is not appropriate to comment on firm action if Russia attacks. Therefore, I would like to refrain from answering any details.