Press Conferences

Press Conference by Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa

Tuesday, February 22, 2022, 10:55 a.m. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

(Video) Press Conference by Foreign Minister HAYASHI
This is a provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only.
Japanese

Opening Remarks

(1) The Situation in Ukraine (Russia’s Recognition of the “Independence” of the “Donetsk People's Republic” and “Luhansk People's Republic”)

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: On February 21, Russia signed a Presidential Decree recognizing the "independence" of the "Donetsk People's Republic" and the "Luhansk People's Republic," as well as the "Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance" granting the Russian Armed Forces the right to build and use military bases and others.

Such actions constitute an infringement of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and violate international law. They are utterly unacceptable and Japan strongly condemns them.

Japan will continue to follow the development of the situation with grave concern, and coordinate a tough response including sanctions in cooperation with the international community, including the G7. That is all from me.

(2) Foreign Minister Hayashi’s Attendance at the Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific

Minister Hayashi: I have one more announcement.

I plan to attend the Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which will be held online today by France and the EU.

The meeting this time is being held at the initiative of France, which held the EU Presidency during the first half of this year, and the EU member countries and partner countries are planning to attend. Japan highly appreciates and welcomes that this meeting will be held.

Responding to the situation in Ukraine is currently the most urgent issue, and Japan is working on this in cooperation with the G7, including the United States.

During the meeting which is being held amidst such a situation, I will firmly convey Japan’s views and initiatives on the importance of steadily promoting cooperation toward realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” with Europe and like-minded countries with which we share fundamental values and principles and opposing unilateral attempts to change the status quo not only in this region but also keeping in mind the response to the situation in Ukraine. I would like to have this lead to further strengthening of cooperation with relevant countries. That is all.

The Situation in Ukraine

Mainichi Shimbun, Kaite: President Putin of Russia ordered the deployment of the Russian Armed Forces. The G7 foreign ministers affirmed that if Russia invades Ukraine, there would be massive consequences, including sanctions.

Russia is justifying its actions by saying the purpose is for peacekeeping. If the Russian Armed Forces are deployed into pro-Russia regions, do you believe that this constitutes an invasion and there will be economic sanctions?

Minister Hayashi: Japan will continue to follow the development of the situation with serious concern, and coordinate a tough response including sanctions, in cooperation with the international community, including the G7.

Mainichi Shimbun, Aibara: You did not really answer the previous question, so I will ask again. President Putin has ordered a so-called “peace-keeping force” into Donbass. If the peace-keeping force enters eastern Ukraine, will the Government of Japan view this as an invasion?

Minister Hayashi: This is a speculative question, and I would like to refrain from answering such questions. As I stated before, Japan will continue to follow the development of the situation with serious concern, and coordinate a tough response including sanctions, in cooperation with the international community, including the G7.

Sankei Shimbun, Sugimoto: I would like to ask two related questions. One is about sanctions. Is it correct to understand that at this point, the Government of Japan has not yet decided to impose sanctions? My other question is, you stated earlier that you will attend a meeting jointly held by France. Besides this, do you or Prime Minister Kishida have plans to hold telephone talks or other such meetings with the United States, Ukraine, or European countries?

Minister Hayashi: It is as I stated before regarding sanctions. Japan will coordinate a tough response including sanctions, in cooperation with the international community, including the G7.

In addition, Prime Minister Kishida plans to attend the G7 Summit Video Teleconference Meeting, during which it is planned to hold discussions on foreign policy, including the situation in Ukraine.

Concerning the situation in Ukraine, I believe there will be discussions from various angles based on the discussions at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on February 19. Japan believes that it is extremely important for the G7, which shares the universal values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, to have solidarity and lead the international community. Japan will actively contribute to the discussions.

Sankei Shimbun, Sugimoto: What about your plans?

Minister Hayashi: As for me, as I stated before, various coordination is underway for telephone talks and the like, but nothing has been decided at this point.

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