Press Conferences

Press Conference by Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa

Friday, April 14, 2023, 12:38 p.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

G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Karuizawa, Nagano

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I would like to speak about one matter.
The G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Karuizawa, Nagano, will be held from April 16 to 18.
With Russia’s aggression against Ukraine threatening the very foundations of the international order, the international community is at history’s turning point.
At the meeting, Japan will lead the discussions as the G7 Presidency. We will demonstrate to the world the G7’s strong determination to firmly reject any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or the threat of nuclear weapons, as Russia has done, let alone the use of nuclear weapons, and to uphold the international order based on the rule of law.
As the G7 Presidency, Japan will firmly lead the discussions not only on coordination for the situation in Ukraine, but also on the G7’s coordination towards a free and open Indo-Pacific, given that the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is being held in Asia.
That is all from me.

Ballistic Missile Launches by North Korea

NHK, Iwasawa: I have a question related to the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in your opening remarks. Yesterday, North Korea launched a suspected ICBM-class missile. Today, North Korea announced that it had conducted its first test launch of the solid-fuel Hwasong-18 ICBM, which can be launched more quickly than traditional liquid-fuel missiles. The launch was conducted just prior to the G7 meeting you are chairing. Please share with us your reaction. At the G7 meeting, how will you lead the discussions on North Korea’s nuclear and missile development to compile the outcome document?

Minister Hayashi: I am aware of North Korea’s announcement regarding the suspected ICBM-class ballistic missile that was launched yesterday, April 13th. However, I would like to refrain from commenting on individual announcements.
It is absolutely unacceptable that North Korea is repeatedly launching ballistic missiles which are unprecedented in both their frequency and their manner , and pose a grave and imminent threat to the security of Japan as well as a threat to regional and international peace and security.
As a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and this year’s G7 Presidency, Japan will work toward the denuclearization of North Korea, while ensuring the full implementation of the relevant UNSC resolutions, cooperating with the international community.
With regard to the outcome document of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I would like to refrain from answering based on speculation at this time. As the chair, I intend to lead the discussions and confirm coordination among the G7.

Reason for Choosing Karuizawa as the Location for the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Yomiuri Shimbun, Abe: I have a question about the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. It seems that there will be considerably fewer side events compared to 2016 when Japan previously held the G7 Presidency. Please tell us why the meeting is organized in this way and once again why Karuizawa was chosen as the venue.

Minister Hayashi: The G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will provide a vital opportunity to confirm cooperation among the G7 foreign ministers leading up to the G7 Hiroshima Summit. I hope to make this an opportunity to further deepen the personal relationships of trust among the foreign ministers as well as the relationships of trust among the G7 as a team.
Last May, the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held at a resort blessed with beautiful nature called Weissenhaus in Germany. I felt that candid discussions among just the G7 foreign ministers in such an environment helped strengthen the bonds between us, and created an outstanding atmosphere. This experience was one of the reasons why Karuizawa was chosen. This is also the reason why we do not plan to hold side events, such as events outside the venue. As we did in Germany previously, the foreign ministers will deepen discussions inside a venue surrounded by rich nature.

Efforts toward a World without Nuclear Weapons

Chugoku Shimbun, Higuchi: I also have a question concerning the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. As was briefly mentioned in your opening remarks, the meeting will be held under Russia’s recurrent nuclear threat. The meeting offers an excellent opportunity for Japan, as the only country to have suffered atomic bombings during wartime , to reiterate to the G7 members that the actual use of nuclear weapons would have disastrous consequences, and to deepen the discussion on whether to strive for a “world without nuclear weapons.” Could you please share your thoughts regarding this matter?

Minister Hayashi: Situations such as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine have created an increasingly severe international security environment. Under these circumstances, the international community has become further divided over nuclear disarmament, and, due to Russia’s threat of nuclear weapons and other reasons, the path toward a “world without nuclear weapons” has become ever more challenging. However, it is precisely because we are in this situation that we need to steadily advance realistic and practical efforts to achieve a “world without nuclear weapons.”
The 77 years of history since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, during which time no nuclear weapons have been used, must not be ignored. At the G7 Hiroshima Summit, we will send this powerful message to the world. I will take advantage of this month’s G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to deepen discussions with the G7 members to make progress on nuclear disarmament.

G7 Cooperation

Kyodo News, Katsurada: My question is in regard to the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The G7 members seem to have differing views regarding the approach toward China, which has been intensifying military activities. At the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, what points will you keep in mind for maintaining G7 cooperation?

Minister Hayashi: China’s military activities are a serious concern for Japan and the international community, and represent an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge in ensuring the peace and stability of Japan and the international community, as well as strengthening the international order based on the rule of law. Japan should respond with comprehensive national power and in cooperation with its ally and like-minded countries.
Furthermore, peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are essential not only for Japan's security, but also for the security and prosperity of the whole international community. Japan has consistently taken its position that we expect the issue surrounding Taiwan to be resolved peacefully through dialogue . Japan and the United States as well as the G7 have concurred on the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Although detailed agenda is still being finalized, I hope to make the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting from April 16 to 18 an opportunity for candid and in-depth exchanges of views among the G7 foreign ministers regarding urgent diplomatic issues facing the international community.
In any case, given that the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is being held in Asia, Japan, as the G7 Presidency, will firmly lead the discussions, including on G7 cooperation towards a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”

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