Press Conferences

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I would like to make one announcement. The Cabinet meeting today agreed to hold the G7 Hiroshima Summit from May 19 to 21, 2023.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will work on various preparations and intends to take all possible measures to achieve a successful G7 Hiroshima Summit. To this end, today the Secretariat for the G7 Hiroshima Summit was established under the Minister’s Secretariat. Prime Minister Kishida visited MOFA for the inauguration event for the Secretariat earlier today.

With this Secretariat playing the central role, MOFA will steadily proceed with the preparation for the success of the G7 Hiroshima Summit and associated events. That is all from me.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Abe: Yesterday, Prime Minister Kishida announced the plan for holding a state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe, who passed away recently. It is expected that a number of foreign dignitaries will be visiting Japan. Could you tell us how MOFA will deal with this situation? In addition, regarding the number of the messages of condolences that you mentioned at the press conference the other day, please give us an update if there is any.

Minister Hayashi: Prime Minister Kishida announced the plan to hold a state funeral in the coming autumn for former Prime Minister Abe. This decision was made considering the fact that former Prime Minister Abe has held the heavy responsibility of holding premiership over a total of eight years and eight months, the longest period in Japan’s constitutional history, with outstanding leadership and execution ability, . It was also taken into consideration that Mr. Abe has received extremely high praise from the international community, including foreign leaders, and has received condolences and mourning widely from within Japan and abroad for this incident.

With regard to the state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe, the Government of Japan will consider appropriate responses going forward, including the attendance of foreign dignitaries.

Meanwhile, as of July 14, we have received a total of over 1,700 condolence messages from 260 countries, regions and organizations.

Chugoku Shimbun, Higuchi: I would like to ask one question about the G7 Hiroshima Summit, which was mentioned at the beginning.

First of all, the G7 Summit will be held amidst the ongoing situation in Ukraine. As Prime Minister Kishida’s hometown was an atomic bombing site, it will be an excellent opportunity to convey a message towards a “world without nuclear weapons.” Could you tell us your thoughts on this? In addition, Hiroshima requests a meeting with atomic bombing survivors and a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Please tell us how the Government of Japan intends to address this in the future. Secondly, in response to the shooting of former Prime Minister Abe, I believe the issue of security guards for dignitaries will be a huge challenge. Considering that G7 leaders will be gathering in Hiroshima during the Summit, it is assumed that this will also be an important mission for the Secretariat for the G7 Hiroshima Summit, which was established today, including the coordination with respective local governments. Please tell us your thoughts on this.

Minister Hayashi: The G7 Hiroshima Summit will clearly show a strong commitment to the world that we will never repeat the devastation of nuclear weapons and the firm rejection of military invasion. We would also like to make the Summit a place where the G7 can demonstrate its will to lead in creating a new order of relations based on the fundamental values and international rules with a historical significance.

Under such a principle, MOFA expects the Secretariat for the G7 Hiroshima Summit to work on proceeding with various preparations to make every possible measures for the success of the G7 Hiroshima Summit.

During the preparation, I believe that various events mentioned earlier will be considered.

Regarding the issue of security guards, since such a tragic incident has occurred, the Government of Japan will appropriately and firmly respond to the matter.

NHK, Aoki: I would like to ask about the ministerial meetings associated with the G7 Hiroshima Summit. Could you tell us your view on the ideal deadline for the decision to be made on the host cities for the meetings?

Minister Hayashi: In the selection of host cities of the G7 ministerial meetings to be held next year, MOFA is conducting a comprehensive review on all the candidate cities from various perspectives, taking into account requests from the candidate local governments. As far as I am aware, the Government of Japan considers that this matter shall be decided and announced at an appropriate time.

Sankei Shimbun, Okada: Taiwan’s Vice President Lai Ching-te visited Japan following the passing of former Prime Minister Abe. Although it was reported as a private visit, you used the expression “the person you mentioned” in your press conference. Please tell us the reason why you used the expression “the person you mentioned.” Some are criticizing that there was consideration for the Government of China. What are your thoughts on this? I would also like to ask about the decision on the state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe. I believe Mr. Abe, during his lifetime, highly valued friendship with Taiwan. Could you please tell us whether there will be a seat for Taiwanese officials at the state funeral?

Minister Hayashi: Firstly, regarding the communication that you mentioned, I used the expression “the person you mentioned” simply in responding to the question specifically concerning Vice President Lai Ching-te. Previously, for example in the Diplomatic Bluebook, MOFA has been referring to the titles of Taiwanese dignitaries.

As for the state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe, as I mentioned earlier, the Government of Japan will consider appropriate responses going forward, including the attendance of foreign dignitaries at the funeral.

Mainichi Shimbun, Konno: I would like to ask about the situation in Ukraine. Recently, North Korea recognized the pro-Russian areas in Ukraine as independent states. Could you tell us your concerns regarding this, including North Korea’s moves?

Minister Hayashi: With regard to the so-called “independence” of the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic” and the so-called “Luhansk People’s Republic,” Russia’s action of recognizing these so-called “Republics,” which are part of Ukraine, is a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and violates international law, which the Government of Japan considers totally unacceptable.

The United Nation (UN) General Assembly resolution adopted in March 2022 also urges Russia to immediately and unconditionally withdraw the decision on the status of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Despite these efforts, North Kores made the decision, which appears to be an endorsement of Russia’s actions. We consider that this conflicts with the UN General Assembly resolution.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine constitutes an infringement of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is in serious violation of international law prohibiting the use of force. Such an outrage is totally unacceptable, and Japan once again strongly condemns it. We will continue to work in cooperation with the international community, including the G7, to defend the foundation of the international order.

Sankei Shimbun, Okada: On July 7, ammunitions were found in a private house in Okinawa Prefecture. It is reported that those ammunitions were used in training at Camp Hansen, which was located near the private house at the time. Please tell us your understanding of whether those ammunitions were stray bullets from the training at Camp Hansen.

Minister Hayashi: I am aware that on July 7, Kin Town reported to the Okinawa Defense Bureau that the door glass of a private house in Igei, Kin Town of Okinawa Prefecture was broken, and suspected ammunitions were found on the ground.

On the same day, the Okinawa Defense Bureau confirmed and announced that no damage to the fence and the net on the fence was confirmed, but only the outer glass among the door glass of the private house was broken. It was also confirmed and announced that the suspected ammunitions had something like rust on it. . This is how I understand the situation.

Regarding this case, I am aware that the police authorities are currently investigating this case, taking various possibilities into consideration, The Government of Japan will continue to respond appropriately in order to eliminate concerns of the people of the town.

Sankei Shimbun, Okada: I would like to ask a related question. As you have just mentioned, the ammunitions were rusty, and they were falling between the double-glazed glasses. Some experts have pointed out that the way in which the glass was broken is unnatural if it was broken by ammunition. What are your thoughts on the possibility that someone other than the members of the U.S. Forces in Japan intentionally caused the incident? Or do you think there was no such possibility?

Minister Hayashi: As I stated earlier, I am aware that the police authorities are currently investigating this case, taking various possibilities into consideration, Therefore, the Government of Japan will continue to respond appropriately in order to eliminate concerns of the people of the town.

Kyodo News, Fukuda: I would like to ask about the schedule of Foreign Minister of the ROK Park Jin’s visit to Japan and the current status of coordination. In addition, if Foreign Minister Park is to visit Japan, past examples show that it is a convention to pay a courtesy call on the leader of the other country. Will this precedent be followed?

Minister Hayashi: I am aware of the report that you pointed out, but nothing has been decided regarding the visit to Japan by Foreign Minister Park at this point.

Kyodo News, Fukuda: Am I correct to understand that the precedent for paying a courtesy call on the leader of Japan will be followed?

Minister Hayashi: Nothing has been decided including the point that you mentioned.