Press Conferences

Hokkaido Shimbun, Araya: I would like to ask about the designation of the League of Residents of Chishima and Habomai Islands as an “undesirable organization” by the Prosecutor General’s Office of Russia. Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno said at his recent press conference that Japan has protested and that the designation must not adversely affect the activities of the League and the former island residents who are members of the League. The former island residents are increasingly concerned that the designation will further postpone the resumption of grave visits, which have been interrupted. What is the progress of negotiations for the resumption of grave visits and what concrete measures will be taken to overcome this situation?

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: We are aware that, on April 21, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Russia announced the designation of the League of Residents of Chishima and Habomai Islands, which consists of former residents of the Northern Territories and their successors, as a so-called “undesirable” foreign NGO.

Russia’s claim is extremely one-sided and hurts the feelings of the former island residents, their families, and others concerned. On April 24, Japan lodged a protest with Russia through diplomatic channels, stating that this announcement is unacceptable.

I would like to refrain from answering on the impact of this matter based on speculation. In any case, the resumption of the Four-Island Exchange Program, including Visits to the Graves in the Northern Territories, is one of the highest priorities of Japan-Russia relations.

We strongly hope that these programs will be resumed as soon as possible, and to this end, we are communicating diplomatically through our embassies and other channels.

Asahi Shimbun, Uechi: I have a question on the evacuation of Japanese citizens from Sudan. One person on the southern border of Sudan has requested to be evacuated but has not yet been able to do so. What does the Government intend to do for this individual as well as any others who may request evacuation? In addition, please share with us any challenges or any improvements on the latest evacuation of Japanese citizens, including coordination with other countries or dispatching and information collection by the Self-Defense Forces?

Minister Hayashi: Most of the approximately 60 Japanese citizens who had requested to evacuate Sudan by April 24 have been evacuated through the recent series of evacuation operations in Sudan.

The temporary office of the Embassy of Japan in Sudan in Djibouti will continue to coordinate closely with the relevant countries and do everything possible to support Japanese citizens who remain in Sudan, considering that there may be new requests for evacuation.

In addition, the evacuation of Japanese citizens was made possible with the cooperation of many countries and organizations, including the Republic of Korea (ROK), France, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, the United Nations (UN), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). While I will not give details, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to these countries and organizations for their cooperation.

Mainichi Shimbun, Takeuchi: I would like to ask about the remarks made by China’s ambassador to France. China’s ambassador to France stated that, for countries that became independent from the former Soviet Union including Ukraine, “there is no international agreement to materialize their sovereign status,” sparking a wave of outrage across Ukraine and other Eastern European countries. What is your reaction to these remarks?

Minister Hayashi: While I am aware of the remarks made by China’s ambassador to France, I would like to refrain from commenting on individual remarks.

I am also aware that, following the ambassador’s remarks, the Embassy of China in France released a statement that the remarks were an expression of “personal views,” and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China commented that China respects the status of the former Soviet republics as sovereign countries after the Soviet Union’s dissolution.

Kyodo News, Katsurada: It has come to light that Dong Yuyu, a former senior member of a newspaper affiliated with the Communist Party of China, was indicted on espionage charges that include providing information to Japanese diplomats. Last February, Chinese authorities temporarily detained a member of the Japanese Embassy who met with Dong to conduct an investigation. At the time, the Government of Japan lodged a severe protest. Please share with us your reaction to the latest developments and your view on their impact on Japan’s diplomatic activities in China.

Minister Hayashi: While I am aware of the reports related to your question, I would like to refrain from answering due to the nature of the matter.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Yoda: Australia just released an outline of its national defense policy, which made its posture clear on deterring China, including enhancing long-range strike capability. What is your assessment of this national defense policy and your opinion on how Japan and Australia cooperate?

Minister Hayashi: I am aware that, on April 24, in response to the completion of the Defence Strategic Review it commissioned, the Government of Australia released a blueprint for measures to defend Australia and its interests in the strategic environment it now faces.

With the very foundation of the international order being shaken and an increasingly severe security environment in the region, the Government of Japan welcomes the blueprint. This will contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through the enhancement of Australia’s deterrence capabilities.

Japan’s National Defense Strategy states that Japan will build the closest cooperative relationship with Australia, second only to the Japan-U.S. defense cooperation. The Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement being deliberated in the current Diet session will also serve as an important framework for promoting this cooperative relationship. We share fundamental values and strategic interests. We will continue to work to further cement the “Special Strategic Partnership” between Japan and Australia.

Mainichi Shimbun, Takeuchi: I would like to ask about the results of the by-election for the House of Representatives’ No. 4 constituency of Yamaguchi Prefecture, which is adjacent to your constituency. Voting on the April 23 resulted in the election of Mr. YOSHIDA Shinji, a newcomer to the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan. Voter turnout was the lowest ever recorded. What are your thoughts on this outcome? Additionally, there are now four incumbent House of Representatives members in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The number of candidates for the next House of Representatives election will need to be adjusted due to the decrease in the number of constituencies for the prefecture. Please tell us what adjustments you are hoping for as a party to this matter.

Minister Hayashi: I would like to refrain from assessing the election result in my capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs. I am aware that various discussions are being held primarily among the Federation of Yamaguchi Prefecture Liberal Democratic Party Branches and other parties regarding the adjustment of candidates, and I would like to deal with the matter while closely following the discussions.

Jiji Press, Tanaka: According to some reports, Mr. Suzuki Muneo, a House of Councillors member from the Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), is considering to visit Russia during the coming holiday. Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Mr. Suzuki has been opposed to the Western provision of arms to Ukraine and has commented that both sides have an argument. His views are starkly different from the foreign policy of the Government of Japan. Will his visit run the risk of sending the wrong message to the international community? In addition, the travel advice and warning level for Russia is at least level 3, and an “avoid all travel” advisory has been issued for the country. What is the opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on visiting Russia?

Minister Hayashi: The Government basically issues at least a level 3 “avoid all travel” travel advice and warning for all of Russia, and we are urging citizens to avoid traveling to Russia for any purpose.

We are aware that the reported visit to Russia by House of Councillors member Suzuki is being coordinated in the Diet, and the Government would like to refrain from commenting on this matter.

NHK, Iwasawa: I have a question on the situation in Sudan. Please share with us your thoughts on the successful evacuation of the total 58 Japanese citizens and their families from Sudan. Could you also tell us how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be helping Japanese citizens who have already evacuated to Djibouti, including their return to Japan?

Minister Hayashi: As I mentioned earlier, most of the approximately 60 Japanese citizens who had requested evacuation by April 24 have been evacuated through the recent series of evacuation operations in Sudan.

We intend to continue to fully support them according to their requests.

In addition, as I mentioned earlier, the evacuation of Japanese citizens was made possible with the cooperation of many countries and organizations, including the ROK, France, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the UN, and the IFRC. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to these countries and organizations for their cooperation.