Press Conferences

Ms. ONO Hikariko, Press Secretary: Today, I would like to make an announcement about the FY2021 Domestic Public Opinion Survey on Japan’s Diplomacy.

MOFA holds the Domestic Public Opinion Survey on Japan’s Diplomacy every fiscal year. The survey is conducted by phone calls, with responses from 1,000 people at the age of 18 or above across Japan. The FY2021 survey was done in March 2022 and the results have been compiled.

I would like to introduce five main points.

Firstly, about 80% of respondents answered, “Yes” in response to the question asking if they positively evaluate Japan’s efforts to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”

Secondly, close to 90% of respondents answered, “Yes” in response to the question asking if they think the security environment surrounding the East Asia region is becoming increasingly severe.

Thirdly, regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, most respondents answered, “Improving coordination with the international community, including the G7” as a measure Japan should focus on. This was followed by “Promoting the acceptance of evacuees from Ukraine to Japan” and “Strengthening support for Ukraine,” which were both raised by about 60% of respondents.

Fourthly, regarding areas in which Japan-U.S. relations should be strengthened, 70% of respondents raised “Security.” Next, over half of the respondents raised “Economy, trade and finance.”

Fifthly, concerning items that Japan should particularly focus on for its diplomacy with China, over 60% of respondents raised “Taking a strong stance on intrusions into Japan’s territorial sea, etc.,” which was the most chosen answer. Next, over half of the respondents raised “Urging China to respect human rights, freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.”

The details will be released later on MOFA’s website, so please have a look.

Gaining the understanding and support of the people of Japan is essential for smoothly executing foreign policy. The survey results will be widely shared with the people concerned and serve as a reference for planning future foreign policy. That is all from me.

Asahi Shimbun, Aibara: I would like to ask about Russian diplomats. About the expulsion of the eight people that Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Mori announced to Ambassador Galuzin, it is being reported that an airplane that appeared to be a charter plane with the eight people aboard took off today from Haneda Airport. Has MOFA confirmed the departure of those eight people from Japan?

Press Secretary Ono: We have confirmed the departure today, April 20, of all of the eight people, including the personnel from the Embassy of Russia in Japan, who were requested to leave Japan on April 8.

Freelance, Azumi: Regarding Ukraine, I would like to ask about the people who applied to be “volunteer soldiers” from Japan. There are reports that approximately 50 or 20 people have entered Ukraine. Is MOFA aware of their whereabouts and movements?

On March 2 the Government of Japan requested the Embassy of Ukraine, which had been recruiting “volunteer soldiers,” to show self-restraint. However, on March 17, according to a report by RIA Novosti, Director of the Information and Press Department Zakharova of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia stated, “This is the responsibility of the Government of Japan.” In other words, she made a strong criticism by saying that the fate of the applicants to be “volunteer soldiers” is the responsibility of the Government of Japan. What do you think about this?

Also, British prisoners of war have requested to be exchanged for Mr. Medvedchuk, but the United Kingdom has rejected this as of now. If Japanese “volunteer soldiers” are caught up in such trouble, how do you plan to handle it? Please answer those three questions.

Press Secretary Ono: I am aware that there are various reports concerning volunteer soldiers.

In any event, MOFA has currently issued an evacuation recommendation for all of Ukraine. We would like Japanese nationals to refrain from traveling to Ukraine, no matter their purpose. That is the basic position of the Government of Japan.

To add, I would like to refrain from making official comments in my position as Press Secretary regarding statements by Russia one by one.

TV Asahi, Sawai: I would like to ask about the public opinion survey you mentioned earlier. In the question about Japan-China relations based on the 50th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China relations, a severe stance against China, including taking a strong stance on intrusions into Japan’s territorial sea, etc., and urging China to respect the rule of law, greatly exceeded the number of forward-looking responses such as increasing exchanges and strengthening cooperation. How do you analyze the background behind this? I believe that China plans to hold its memorial ceremony in September. What response is the Government of Japan considering during the critical juncture of the 50th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China relations?

Press Secretary Ono: There are various unresolved issues with China. We think that the results reflect the strong concern of the people of Japan about these unresolved issues.

Japan-China relations are important not only for both our countries but also for the peace and prosperity of the region and the international community. Although there are various unresolved issues with China, we believe it is important to build constructive and stable Japan-China relations through the efforts of both countries for cooperation on various common issues, while Japan continues to state what should be stated and request China to take responsible actions.

In saying this, regarding the fact that a very large number of respondents specifically raised “Taking a strong stance on intrusions into Japan’s territorial sea, etc.”, I would also like to state that the Government of Japan takes it extremely seriously that vessels belonging to the Chinese Coast Guard have been making successive intrusions into Japan’s territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands and navigating in Japan’s contiguous zone.

The Chinese Coast Guard’s activities based on China’s claim in Japan’s territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands are a breach of international law and are absolutely unacceptable.

We have lodged severe protests repeatedly until now using diplomatic channels. We have strongly demanded that such vessels swiftly leave Japan’s territorial waters. We have also directly conveyed our concerns about the situation of the Senkaku Islands during the Japan-China Summit Telephone Talk in October 2021 and the Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk in November 2021.

Japan will continue to state what should be stated to China and respond firmly but calmly under our policy to resolutely defend our territorial land, sea, and airspace.

Nothing has been decided at this point about events related to the 50th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China relations.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kaneko: Concerning the departure from Japan of the Russian diplomats, what were the grounds for the Government of Japan’s request for the diplomats to leave the country? Was the request based on Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations? Or was it a matter of diplomatic custom? Please explain.

Press Secretary Ono: I would like to refrain from getting into the details of the request as they are related to matters concerning individual identities. In any event, after comprehensive consideration based on the current situation in Ukraine, Japan formally requested the departure from the country of a total of eight people, consisting of diplomats of the Embassy of Russia in Japan and personnel of the Russian Trade Representative who all hold different positions and posts.

Our decision was a comprehensive one, and we requested their departure from Japan. I would like to refrain from explaining anything beyond this.

Nikkei Shimbun, Miki: I would like to ask about Japan-ROK relations. Mr. Park Jin, who has been nominated to serve as the Foreign Minister of the next administration, recently indicated his recognition that the 2015 Japan-ROK agreement was an official agreement made by the governments of Japan and the ROK. I believe this is the first time such a statement has been made by a nominee for the top officials in the Yoon administration. Please tell us the Government of Japan’s reaction.

Press Secretary Ono: I am aware of the statement by Mr. Park Jin, the nominee for the next Foreign Minister of the ROK, which you pointed out. The Japan-ROK agreement on the comfort women issue was recognized as the “final and irreversible resolution” on this issue due to the agreement at the Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in December 2015 following major diplomatic efforts by the governments of Japan and the ROK. Immediately after the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, it was confirmed at the summit level and the Government of the ROK made a firm commitment.

The Japan-ROK agreement is a commitment between two countries and the foundation of relations between countries is to keep the commitments made between those two countries. Japan-ROK relations need to be developed based on the foundation of our friendly and cooperative relationship that has been built since the normalization of the diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1965. Japan has high expectations for the leadership of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol.