Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have an announcement at the outset.

Today, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuji and State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Iwata are visiting Ukraine with Japanese business representatives.

Japan, together with the other G7 members, has stood by the people of Ukraine and provided strong support for Ukraine. We explained to the Ukrainian side about Japan’s support for its recovery and reconstruction when Prime Minister Kishida visited Ukraine in March, when former Foreign Minister Hayashi visited in September, and when I held a meeting with Foreign Minister Kuleba during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly session in September.

Furthermore, during the recent G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I directly conveyed to Foreign Minister Kuleba that Japan’s stance remains unchanged, and that we will accelerate efforts for mid- to long-term recovery and reconstruction in the unity of the public and private sectors.

Following these communications, State Minister Tsuji and State Minister Iwata will be leading an economic mission comprised of representatives from several Japanese companies that have a strong interest in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.

In Kyiv, Ukraine, they will exchange views mainly on recovery and reconstruction efforts with Prime Minister Shmyhal and Ukrainian government officials, as well as exchange views with Ukrainian business representatives towards the promotion of business partnerships.

The Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Reconstruction is planned to be held in Tokyo on February 19 next year. We expect this economic mission to further advance support for Ukraine in the unity of the public and private sectors, and contribute to a successful conference.

That is all from me.

Kyodo News, Katsurada: I would like to ask about the situation in the Middle East. The Israeli military carried out airstrikes on the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, causing damage to a school run by the UN and resulting in numerous deaths and injuries. There have also been successive attacks on schools where people were taking refuge. Please share your reaction to these incidents. You have advocated that military operations need to take all possible measures to prevent harm to civilians. Do you consider that the Israeli military is making efforts to minimize harm to civilians?

Minister Kamikawa: The first question was about the Israeli military operation at the refugee camp.

I am aware of the reports you are referring to. I am deeply saddened that the airstrikes by the Israeli military on the refugee camp have resulted in numerous deaths and injuries, including those of children, women, and the elderly. We are gravely concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, including this incident.

The next question was about the Israeli military’s efforts to minimize harm to civilians.

As the Government of Japan does not have sufficient awareness of the detailed individual circumstances, we refrain from assessing the Israeli military’s efforts to minimize harm to civilians. That being said, as I stated repeatedly, all the parties concerned must adhere to international law, including international humanitarian law. In addition, we consider that it is necessary to take all possible measures in order to prevent harm to civilians in military operations. Certainly, we need to prevent civilians from being harmed at schools and hospitals.

With Israel, I myself have been emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians and calling on Israel to act in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law.

We will continue to urge all parties to adhere to international law, including international humanitarian law. At the same time, while closely communicating with the countries and organizations concerned. we will actively and persistently continue our diplomatic efforts to improve the humanitarian situation and urgently calm down the situation, taking into account the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution that Japan voted in favor to quickly prevent a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation affecting children and others,

NHK, Igarashi: I have a question in relation to the Middle East situation. The U.S. media reported on November 18 that U.S.-mediated negotiations have resulted in a tentative agreement between Israel and the Hamas Islamic group to release dozens of people held hostage in the Gaza Strip in exchange for a five-day pause in fighting. Could you please share the view of the Government of Japan and the responses it will be taking?

Minister Kamikawa: We are aware of the reports you are referring to. We hope that the hostages are actually released. Meanwhile, according to the Israeli military’s announcements and the like, a number of people are still being held hostage by Hamas and others.

Japan has unequivocally condemned the terror attacks by Hamas and others, and has called for the immediate release of hostages and securing the safety of civilians.

The situation on the ground is constantly changing. Japan will actively and persistently continue our diplomatic efforts toward the immediate release of hostages, to improve the humanitarian situation, and calm down the situation, etc., while closely communicating with relevant countries and international organizations.

Nikkei Shimbun, Nemoto: I would like to ask about the situation in the Middle East. A cargo carrier chartered by a Japanese company was hijacked in the Red Sea. Please tell us what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is aware of and how it is dealing with the situation. In addition, Yemen’s Houthi Islamic militants have indicated that they will continue to attack vessels that have links to Israel. This poses a risk to the activities of Japanese companies. Please tell us about the government’s understanding of the local situation and the diplomatic approach that Japan will be taking.

Minister Kamikawa: The first question was about the facts, the safety of Japanese nationals, and our response to the incident.

We have been informed that yesterday, November 19, a Bahamas-flagged pure car and truck carrier named “Galaxy Leader” operated by NYK Line was seized by Houthi forces in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen. We have been informed that there are no Japanese among the crew. The Government of Japan firmly condemns this act. MOFA, along with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and other ministries and agencies concerned, are gathering information and working with the countries concerned to secure the early release of the carrier and crew.

In addition to maintaining communication with Israel and approaching the Houthi forces directly, we are reaching out to the countries concerned, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Iran, to strongly urge the Houthi forces to release the carrier and crew as soon as possible.

Based on the evolving situation, the Government will continue to coordinate with the countries concerned and take necessary responses.

There was also a question on our understanding of the local situation and the diplomatic approach that Japan will be taking. MOFA is on guard and closely monitoring the situation in the entire Middle East region. We will further enhance our measures to ensure the safety of the activities of Japanese companies and the protection of Japanese nationals.

Asahi Shimbun, Kudo: I have a question about APEC, as you attended its ministerial meeting recently. The APEC Leaders’ Declaration includes a commitment to engage in the reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO), while it omitted mention of Ukraine and Gaza. Please share your opinion on the Leaders’ Declaration as a whole.

Minister Kamikawa: In the APEC Leaders’ Declaration, members confirmed to maintain the rules-based, free, and open trade and investment environment and engage in constructive efforts ahead of next year’s 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13) to realize sustainable and inclusive development and growth in the APEC region. In addition, it contains provisions on promoting a digital economy, clean energy transitions towards decarbonization, food security, women’s economic participation, and cooperation on facilitating the flow of data. The inclusion of these provisions emphasized by Japan was a significant outcome.

Regarding the situations in Ukraine and Gaza, the United States released a separate Chair’s Statement that drew upon the discussions among the APEC members. While members’ positions differ over some regional affairs, there is much consensus among the members and we appreciate the issuance of the Chair’s Statement that properly reflects this.

Anadolu Agency, Furkan: Israel’s attacks on Gaza have entered the seventh week. The international community is drawing attention to the fact that Gaza has been hit by airstrikes equivalent to dropping nearly two atomic bombs. More than 12,000 innocent civilians have lost their lives due to these attacks. From what can be seen, the Government of Japan has refrained from strongly condemning Israel’s attacks on innocent civilians, despite the public outcry. To what extent do you believe Israel is considering Japan’s and many other countries’ calls for adherence to international humanitarian law? Are there any diplomatic means that Japan can take to help resolve the crisis?

Minister Kamikawa: Japan has been consistently calling on all parties to act in accordance with international law. With Israel, we also have been urging that humanitarian pauses were necessary, and calling for Israel to act in accordance with international law including international humanitarian law, while stating that Japan unequivocally condemns the terror attacks by Hamas and others.

At the recent G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the ministers concurred on the need for urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, and on allowing unimpeded humanitarian support, including food, water, medical care, fuel, shelter, and access for humanitarian workers. In particular, we concurred to support humanitarian pauses and corridors to facilitate humanitarian assistance.

On November 14, in San Francisco, United States, where I was visiting, I held telephone talks on the outcomes of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with the respective foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan, countries that are playing a significant role in responding to the situation. I explained the discussion that took place at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and we concurred on maintaining close cooperation.

Regarding the recently adopted UNSC resolution, as a UNSC member, Japan made various diplomatic efforts for the resolution’s adoption and we welcome the adoption. We call on all parties to act in good faith based on the resolution.

The situation on the ground continues to change constantly. Japan will actively and persistently continue our diplomatic efforts to improve the humanitarian situation, and urgently calm down the situation, etc., while closely communicating with G7 members, relevant countries, and international organizations.

The Diplomat, Siripala: I would like to ask about the conflict in the Gaza Strip. What concrete measures is the Government of Japan taking to calm down the situation?

Minister Kamikawa: Japan has unequivocally condemned the terror attacks by Hamas and others, and has consistently called for: firstly, the immediate release of people being held hostage and securing the safety of civilians; secondly, all the parties acting based on international law; and thirdly, calming down the situation as soon as possible.

While I would like to refrain from disclosing the details of our communication with other countries, with Israel, for example, during my recent visit there and on other occasions, I have emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and directly called on Israel to act in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law.

Additionally, at the recent G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the ministers compiled a unified message in writing concerning the situation, including the need for urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Based on this achievement, Japan is also communicating closely with countries in the region, such as Egypt and Jordan, and confirming cooperation toward calming down the situation as soon as possible and other ends. We will actively continue such diplomatic efforts.