Press Conferences

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Firstly, I would like to make one announcement. From July 17 to today, H.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia is visiting Japan.

Today, Minister Faisal paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Kishida, and I am scheduled to have a meeting and working lunch with him after this. I plan to hold consultations with him to discuss ways to further strengthen Japan-Saudi Arabia relations, cooperation in the international arena in light of the situation in Ukraine, and cooperation to stabilize the international crude oil market.

Japan and Saudi Arabia have been promoting cooperation in extensive fields, including energy, under the “Japan-Saudi Vision 2030.” Through Minister Faisal’s visit to Japan, I would like to further strengthen favorable relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia. That is all from me.

Mainichi Shimbun, Aoki: With regard to the Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting yesterday, MOFA has explained that Foreign Minister Park stated that he would make efforts to reach a desirable solution to the issue of the former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula before liquidation of assets is conducted. How did you reply to this, and what are your thoughts on Foreign Minister Park’s statement at this point? Please answer these two questions.

Minister Hayashi: From around 4 p.m. yesterday, on July 18th, we had approximately two and a half hour meeting and working dinner with Foreign Minister Park Jin of the ROK, who is currently visiting Japan.

At the beginning of the meeting, Foreign Minister Park conveyed heartfelt condolences for the passing of former Prime Minister Abe. In response, to which I expressed my gratitude for his condolences.

Foreign Minister Park and I concurred on the recognition that in light of the current strategic environment, there has never been a more important time for development of Japan-ROK cooperation and Japan-ROK-U.S. cooperation. We also concurred on condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Furthermore, we confirmed further cooperation in responding to North Korea. In addition, Foreign Minister Park reiterated his support regarding the abductions issue.

I stated that it is necessary to develop Japan-ROK relations based on the foundation of friendly cooperative relations built up since the normalization of our diplomatic relations in 1965, and that we must resolve the pending issues between our two countries, including the issue of the former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula.

In response, Foreign Minister Park stated that he would make efforts to reach a desirable solution before liquidation of assets is conducted. Additionally, Foreign Minister Park and I concurred on achieving an early resolution of this issue.

Foreign Minister Park and I agreed to accelerate consultations between the two countries.

Asahi Shimbun, Aibara: I would like to ask two questions regarding the Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting you just mentioned. My first question is the same as the one from the Mainichi Shimbun, what is your evaluation of the ROK’s statement that he will make efforts. As for my other question, the Government of Japan has always said that Japan-ROK relations will fall into an extremely difficult situation if liquidation of assets were to occur. Did you convey that to Foreign Minister Park during your meeting yesterday? Please answer these two questions.

Minister Hayashi: Firstly, in relation to the issue of the former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula, if liquidation of assets were to occur it would lead to a difficult situation for Japan-ROK relations, and therefore must be avoided. We have repeatedly conveyed this to the ROK side.

I would like to refrain from speaking about the details of our discussion in the meeting yesterday. However, Foreign Minister Park stated that he would make efforts to reach a desirable solution in relation to the issue of the former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula before liquidation of assets is conducted. Additionally, Foreign Minister Park and I concurred on achieving an early resolution of this issue. The Government of Japan will continue to ascertain the response of the Yoon administration and closely communicate with the ROK in order to restore healthy Japan-ROK relations.

In addition, in relation to your question on my evaluation, as I have mentioned earlier, in relation to the issue, if liquidation of assets were to occur it would lead to a difficult situation for Japan-ROK relations, and therefore must be avoided. We have been repeatedly conveying that to the ROK.

Although I would like to refrain from going into details of our discussions during the meeting, in relation to the issue of the former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula, Foreign Minister Park stated that he would make efforts to reach a desirable solution before liquidation of assets is conducted. Additionally, Foreign Minister Park and I concurred on achieving an early resolution of this issue.

Kyodo News, Maeda: In relation to the former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula, I would like to ask about the ideal manner of holding the consultations going forward. Yesterday, I believe you and Foreign Minister Park concurred on achieving an early resolution of the issue of the former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula. President Yoon has been aiming for a comprehensive solution, including historical issues, in the past. Basically, is it Japan’s intention to hold consultations on separate issues rather than to reach a comprehensive solution?

Minister Hayashi: I would like to refrain from commenting on each and every statement made by the ROK side. In any case, the Government of Japan will closely communicate with the Yoon administration based on Japan’s consistent positions in order to restore healthy Japan-ROK relations.

Kyodo News, Maeda: I would like to ask about yesterday’s meeting, other than the issue of the former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula. I believe there are various issues that are unresolved between Japan and the ROK, including the former comfort women issues, GSOMIA, radar irradiation, and maritime research near Takeshima. Please tell us what views you conveyed to Foreign Minister Park.

Minister Hayashi: As we discussed Japan-ROK relations in general, I have firmly conveyed Japan’s positions on the comfort women issue, ALPS-treated water, and other matters.