Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Good morning. It has been two weeks since I took office as foreign minister. Last week, I visited New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week, and during the five days after arrival, I have had a concentration of meetings with 16 heads of state and foreign ministers, as well as the heads of four international organizations. I have also attended 12 multilateral meetings and attended five summit-related events.

I went to New York five days after my appointment. I feel extremely pleased that I was able to build personal relationships, which are the basis of diplomacy. In addition, I was filled with a sense of responsibility again by the many people who welcomed and expressed their hopes for me, a female foreign minister.

Continuity is essential in diplomacy. Yesterday, I held the First Ministerial Level Meeting of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Initiative (CSPI) at Iikura Guest House with H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy of the United Arab Emirates to Japan, who is visiting Japan.

Building on the outcomes of last week’s High-Level Week, I will continue to maintain a sense of vigilance and advance diplomacy that only Japan can do, aiming to realize international peace, while protecting Japan’s national interests.

That is all from me.

Asahi Shimbun, Matsuyama: At the UNGA, you and Prime Minister Kishida advocated UN Security Council (UNSC) reform. Japan has called for reforms, including permanent membership for the G4 and other countries and restrictions on the veto right. Some argue that UNSC reform will be difficult to achieve. Please tell us how Japan intends to obtain understanding from other countries and carry out reforms.

Minister Kamikawa: In his recent address at the General Debate, Prime Minister Kishida emphasized the need to move to concrete action for Security Council reform, looking ahead to the Summit of the Future scheduled in 2024 and the 80th anniversary of the UN in 2025.

As for myself, at the recent Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the G4 Countries that was held on the margins of the UNGA session, the G4 countries, which are Japan, Germany, India, and Brazil, concurred to aim for early concrete outcomes in cooperation with relevant countries, including African countries and the United States. In addition, at the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, we confirmed to advance UNSC reform. Furthermore, at these and various other meetings, we also discussed with other countries on strengthening the UN functions as a whole including Security Council reform.

In their addresses at the General Debate, many countries delivered very positive messages on strengthening the UN, including Security Council reform. For example, President Biden of the U.S. expressed support for UNSC reform.

UNSC reform is not an easy task, given the complexity of the intertwined interests of various countries. Nevertheless, Japan will persistently work toward reform by deepening cooperation with many countries that seek such reform, including the G4 countries, the U.S., and African countries.

NHK, Igarashi: I would like to ask about your overseas visit to the UNGA last week. Half of the foreign ministers you met at the UN were women. Please give us your impression on the overseas situation of women’s appointments.

Minister Kamikawa: I feel very fortunate that within a week of receiving my ministerial appointment, I have been able to attend the UNGA, meet my counterparts from different countries in person, and engage in candid discussions.

As you pointed out, I was impressed that around half of the foreign ministers I met were women. Throughout the whole visit, I was filled with a sense of responsibility by the many people who welcomed and expressed their hopes for me, a female foreign minister.

Because continuity is essential in diplomacy, based on the outcomes of this visit, I intend to steadily roll out diplomacy with a broad perspective, while keeping in mind the longer historic context.

Nikkei Shimbun, Nemoto: Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are holding a trilateral Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) in Seoul today. There are concerns piling up between Japan and China, including the issue of ALPS treated water. Please tell us the significance of holding a meeting within the Japan-China-ROK trilateral framework.

In addition, the ROK hopes to hold a summit or foreign ministers’ meeting by the end of the year. What are your thoughts on this possibility?

Minister Kamikawa: First, the Japan-China-ROK SOM is being held today, September 26, in Seoul.

The three countries of Japan, China, and the ROK share a great responsibility for regional peace and prosperity. It is very meaningful that the three countries discuss the manner of trilateral collaboration, regional issues, and other challenges.

Regarding the discharge of ALPS treated water, Japan has clearly communicated its position to China on multiple occasions at various levels.

The Government of Japan will continue to explain the safety of ALPS treated water to the international community in a highly transparent manner. In addition, we will continue to strongly urge China to act based on scientific evidence.

Second, it is meaningful for the three leaders of Japan, China, and the ROK, who share a great responsibility for the peace and prosperity of the region, to come together and discuss the direction of trilateral cooperation, the specific manner of collaboration, regional issues, and other matters.

The process for Japan-China-ROK cooperation and the schedule, including the foreign ministers’ meeting you noted, have not been finalized yet, but the three countries concur that the trilateral process must resume as early as possible. We intend to continue to carefully consider these matters among the three countries.

Kyodo News, Katsurada: I would like to ask about the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory disputed between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The military action commenced by Azerbaijan against the area has resulted in numerous deaths and injured people. The Nagorno-Karabakh side has accepted conditions, including disarmament, and agreed to a ceasefire in a day. As Azerbaijan and Armenia conduct peace treaty negotiations, some view Azerbaijan’s actions as an attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force. What is the Government of Japan’s view on this military action? Could you also tell us about the Government’s basic stance on the attribution of Nagorno-Karabakh?

Minister Kamikawa: Regarding your first question, in response to this case, I issued a Foreign Minister’s Statement, and expressed serious concern over the recent worsening situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and strongly called for the immediate cessation of hostilities and for Azerbaijan to stop current military activities.

I am aware that a ceasefire was subsequently agreed upon between the Azerbaijan and Armenian armed forces. Japan will continue to closely monitor the situation, including the circumstances of the local people.

With regard to issues related to Nagorno-Karabakh, Japan has strongly called on all parties to resolve issues surrounding this region peacefully through dialogue.

In response to your second question, Japan has been emphasizing the importance of resolving issues peacefully based on the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, the principle of sovereignty, and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders.

In any case, Japan views that the issues related to Nagorno-Karabakh should be resolved peacefully through dialogue among the relevant parties.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: Orient News, Azuhari.

First, I congratulate on your appointment and also thank you for allowing the questions. .My question is just follow up my accessible colleague.

It's about the reforms of the United Nations and the United Nations Security Council that has been calling for many years. And you said that the credibility of the Council has been shaken by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Arab countries also say that the trust and credibility of the United Nations Security Council has been even lost with the lack of action to our Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and the annexation of Golan Heights. So my question is what exactly your reform Japan is called reform will do to restore this trust. Thank you.

Minister Kamikawa: Thank you very much. Strengthening the functions of the UN, including Security Council reform, is increasingly important in order to restore confidence in the UN, which was damaged by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

As I already stated, in his recent address at the General Debate, Prime Minister Kishida emphasized the need to move to concrete action, looking ahead to the Summit of the Future in 2024 and the 80th anniversary of the UN in 2025.

As for myself, at the recent Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the G4 Countries that was held on the margins of the UNGA session, we concurred to aim for early concrete outcomes in cooperation with relevant countries, including African countries and the U.S. In addition, at the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, we confirmed to advance UNSC reform.

UNSC reform is not an easy task, given the complexity of the intertwined interests of various countries. Nevertheless, Japan will persistently work toward reform by deepening cooperation with many countries that seek such reform, including the G4 countries, the U.S., and African countries.

NHK, Igarashi: I would like to ask a follow-up question on women’s appointment overseas. Currently, Japan is behind other countries. It ranked 125th out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index (GGI) published by the World Economic Forum in June of this year. Notably, Japan’s parity in “political empowerment,” or the percentages of female parliamentary members and ministers, were among the lowest in the world. What is your understanding on this issue?

Minister Kamikawa: Japan had low scores in the economic and political fields in the GGI released in June of this year. We need to accept with humility that the index indicates Japan is behind other countries.

We will press forward with government-wide efforts in accordance with the “Basic Policy on Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women 2023” that was approved in June.

In order to further reflect diverse views in our policy, under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Kishida, the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan is also working to increase women’s political participation by setting ambitious numerical targets. I was one of the members who was involved in the planning as Head of the Headquarters for Implementing the Reform of Party.

As one of the female ministers, I will carry out diplomacy that fully meets the expectations of the Japanese people.

Furthermore, I personally will work to continue the trend of appointing female ministers.