Press Conferences
Press Conference by Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa
Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:05 p.m. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Japanese
Opening Remarks
(1) Foreign Minister Hayashi’s Visit to Latin America and the Caribbean
Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have two announcements at the outset.
The first announcement is about my visits to five countries, namely, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Peru, Chile, and Paraguay, from April 29 to May 7. These will be the first visits to Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados by a Japanese Foreign Minister.
Following my visits to four countries in Latin America and the Caribbean this January, I will be making this visit to further deepen our friendly relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries. They are important partners with shared values and principles.
Given that this year’s G7 Presidency, Japan gives priority to hearing the broad range of voices in the international community and incorporating them into the G7’s discussions, which makes the visit is important.
Considering the current severe international situation, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, I plan to exchange candid views on international issues with the countries I will be visiting, and strive to further enhance our coordination for maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
Furthermore, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, which are also rich in minerals, food, and energy resources, have become increasingly important in the current international situation. In this regard, I hope to exchange views on further strengthening bilateral economic relations with these high potential countries and on ways to cooperate with them to address the challenges facing each country.
With 2024 also being the Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year, Japan will confirm its close cooperation with Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados in the lead up to the friendship year.
Additionally, I hope to take this opportunity to deepen exchanges with Nikkei (Japanese immigrants and their descendants) who represent the close ties between Japan and the respective countries.
(2) Japanese Evacuees to Djibouti
Minister Hayashi: Secondly, I would like to announce that, Japanese citizens and their families who evacuated to Djibouti from Sudan, where the situation is deteriorating rapidly, and who wished to return to Japan will do so on a chartered flight arranged by the Government of Japan. The chartered flight is scheduled to arrive in Japan tomorrow, April 29. Some embassy personnel who evacuated from Sudan are also expected to be on the flight.
Japanese citizens and their families, 65 people in total, evacuated from Sudan, including five people who evacuated to Djibouti yesterday, April 27. I would like to again express my respect to everyone who made this happen amidst this dangerous and difficult situation, including Japanese Embassy and Self-Defense Force personnel who executed the evacuation operation of Japanese citizens, as well as members of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) who helped them evacuate safely. In addition, I would like to again appreciate all countries involved, including the Republic of Korea (ROK), France, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, and Jordan, and all organizations involved, including the United Nations, for their cooperation in the evacuation of Japanese citizens.
The Government, including the Japanese Embassy’s temporary office in Djibouti, will continue to do everything possible to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens remaining in Sudan and provide them with support they need.
That is all from me.
The Hong Kong National Security Law
Sankei Shimbun, Okada: I would like to ask a question concerning the situation in Hong Kong. In early March, a female student from Hong Kong who had studied at a university in Japan was arrested by Hong Kong security authorities on suspicion that her rhetoric and actions in Japan violated the national security law of Hong Kong. She was in Japan about two and a half years ago, and reposted, on Facebook, slogans supporting student protests in Hong Kong. It is believed that the Hong Kong authorities viewed this matter as a problem. In this case, Hong Kong’s law was applied to actions taken outside of Hong Kong. What is the reaction of the Government of Japan? Has the Government conveyed its concerns or taken any other actions vis-à-vis the Government of China?
Minister Hayashi: I am aware of the matter that you noted.
Japan considers it important that universal values and principles in the international community, including freedom, respect for fundamental human rights, and the rule of law, are guaranteed in China, and we have directly conveyed Japan’s position to the Government of China.
Regarding the situation in Hong Kong, the national security law was enacted in June 2020, and there have been various developments since then, including arrests of pro-democracy figures. In addition, the provisions of the Hong Kong Basic Law regarding the electoral system in Hong Kong were amended in March 2021. Such developments have undermined confidence in the “One Country Two System” framework, and inevitably, Japan’s grave concern is intensifying.
Japan calls on Hong Kong authorities to protect freedom of speech and freedom of the press, as provided for in the Hong Kong Basic Law, and will coordinate closely with the international community in urging the Chinese side to act accordingly.
U.S.-ROK Summit Meeting (Nuclear Sharing)
Chugoku Shimbun, Higuchi: I have a question on the summit meeting just held between the United States and the ROK. The two countries agreed to strengthen extended deterrence which covers nuclear arsenal, and confirmed to enhance cooperation bilaterally as well as trilaterally including Japan. The United States has said it has no plans to redeploy nuclear arms to the ROK at this time. However, since the trilateral cooperation is in response to the threat posed by North Korea, there are concerns, including in sites that experienced atomic bombings, that the United States will be sharing its nuclear arsenal with Japan in the future. Can you once again tell us the Government’s view or your own view on nuclear sharing?
Minister Hayashi: Nuclear sharing is not permitted under the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, and the Government of Japan does not have any intention to discuss it.
Foreign Minister Hayashi’s Visit to Latin America and the Caribbean (Paraguay)
Yomiuri Shimbun, Abe: My question is about your visits to Latin America and the Caribbean mentioned in your opening remarks. I believe you will be visiting Paraguay. Paraguay is the only country in South America that recognizes Taiwan. Paraguay will soon be holding a presidential election, and a leading candidate has suggested he will review his country’s relations with Taiwan. Could you please tell us what sort of discussion you hope to have during your visit to Paraguay with its senior government officials regarding Taiwan?
Minister Hayashi: Paraguay, having a Nikkei community with 10,000 members, has traditionally been a country with a great affinity toward Japan. It is an important partner with shared values and principles.
I am aware that Paraguay’s presidential election is to be held on April 30. Regardless of the outcome, I intend to exchange views with our important partner, Paraguay, on bilateral and multilateral cooperation and the international situation, including the situation in East Asia, and confirm to further work together on these matters.
Return of Mr. NAGAI Kenji’s Video Camera
TV Asahi, Tsuchida: I have a question on Mr. NAGAI Kenji who was shot and killed while covering the situation in Myanmar. The video camera used by Mr. Nagai until just before he was shot in 2007 was returned to his family on April 26. Please share the reaction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The video camera was returned through a route that did not involve the Government of Myanmar. Do you think this will have any impact on Japan-Myanmar relations? Additionally, while the Government of Japan views that Mr. Nagai was fatally shot intentionally at point-blank range, the Myanmar side has continued to assert it was an accident caused by a stray bullet fired from a distance. Could you tell us if the Government of Japan has once again any intention to approach the Myanmar side regarding this matter?
Minister Hayashi: More than 15 years have passed since the tragic incident in September 2007 when Mr. Nagai Kenji was shot and killed while covering the situation in Myanmar. I would like to once again express my condolences and offer my deepest sympathies to his family.
Ever since this incident, the Government of Japan has been calling on the Myanmar side to carry out a thorough investigation for the facts of the incident and to return Mr. Nagai’s belongings, including his video camera.
We understand that the video camera believed to be Mr. Nagai’s was returned in line with the wishes of his family. It is regrettable that it has taken such a long time.
There are still discrepancies within the recognition of the facts between the two countries regarding the cause of the incident. The Government will continue to call on the Myanmar side to carry out a thorough investigation for the facts of the incident.