Press Conferences
Press Conference by Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa
Tuesday, May 30, 2023, 12:30 p.m. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Japanese
Situation in North Korea (Notification of North Korea’s Plan to Launch a Ballistic Missile, Referred to as a “Satellite”)
NHK, Iwasawa:I would like to ask about North Korea’s notification of its plan to launch a satellite. A senior official of the Workers’ Party of Korea announced this morning that North Korea will launch its first military reconnaissance satellite next month. Please tell us how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to the notification, including whether it has lodged protests against North Korea. When North Korea conducts the launch, will Japan request a public meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)? How does Japan intend to deal with the matter?
Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I am aware that, yesterday, May 29, North Korea notified the Government of Japan and other organizations of its plan to launch a ballistic missile, referred to as a “satellite,” between May 31 and June 11.
North Korea’s series of actions, including repeated launches of ballistic and other missiles, threaten the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community. North Korea’s forced launch of a ballistic missile, referred to as a “satellite,” constitutes a grave provocation against the security of Japan. Furthermore, any such launch, even if referred to as a “satellite,” is a violation of relevant UNSC resolutions that ban any launch using North Korea’s ballistic missile technology.
In response to the notification, we held a Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) telephone consultation regarding North Korea yesterday, May 29, which was attended by Mr. FUNAKOSHI Takehiro, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau. The three sides agreed to urge North Korea to exercise restraint and reaffirmed to work closely bilaterally among Japan and the United States and Japan and the ROK, as well as trilaterally among Japan, the United States, and the ROK. I will refrain from providing details, but we are urging North Korea to exercise restraint.
Regarding our response going forward, I would like to refrain from answering based on speculation. Japan intends to work closely with the United States, the ROK, and other countries, including on UNSC responses, and urge North Korea to exercise restraint in its provocations and comply with relevant UNSC resolutions.
Situation in North Korea (High-level Consultations for Realizing a Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting)
Kyodo News, Katsurada:I have a question regarding Japan-North Korea consultations. Prime Minister Kishida said Japan was intent on holding high-level consultations while reporting directly to him, in order to bring about Japan-North Korea summit-level talks at an early time to resolve the abductions issue. On the other hand, North Korea notified its plan to launch a ballistic missile, referred to as a “satellite.” In the environment in which deterrence by Japan, the United States, and the ROK is becoming critical, could you please explain how the Government of Japan will engage in dialogue with North Korea?
Minister Hayashi:Regarding Japan’s response to North Korea, it is as the Prime Minister explained at the citizens’ rally held on May 27. That is, the Government of Japan seeks to normalize its relations with North Korea through comprehensively resolving outstanding issues of concern, such as the abductions, nuclear, and missile issues, and settling the unfortunate past, in accordance with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration of 2002. In particular, the abduction of Japanese nationals, an issue whose resolution has time constraints, is a human rights issue about which we cannot let our mindfulness dwindle for even a moment, as the families of the victims continue to age. We will continue to do our utmost to boldly tackle the issue to realize the return of all the abductees to Japan at the earliest possible date.
The Prime Minister stated that he will continue to seize every possible opportunity to convey his determination to Chairman Kim Jong-Un from the perspective of resolving outstanding issues of concern in Japan-North Korea relations and jointly carving out a new era. At the same time, Japan will press forward proactively, engaging in high-level consultations while reporting directly to the Prime Minister, to bring about summit-level talks at an early time. In addition, the Prime Minister stated that, based on a broad perspective, he will overcome every obstacle and make his own decisions for the peace and stability of the region and the international community as well as for both Japan and North Korea.
G7 Hiroshima Summit (G7 Leaders’ Hiroshima Vision: Efforts toward a World without Nuclear Weapons)
Pan Orient News, Azhari:Thank you. My name is Azhari. Pan Orient, Arab in Japan. My question is about the result of G7 Hiroshima summit. It seems that this summit has reinforced the nuclear status quo based on nuclear umbrella deterrence. With that goal of nuclear-free world set up by PM Kishida and his government, it seems unrealistic when 6 nuclear states; Russia, China, North Korea, India, Pakistan and Israel, where not included in outreach countries in the summit. What impact when you are holding summit in Hiroshima and anti-nuclear weapons’ movement. Thank you.
Minister Hayashi:Amidst an increasingly severe international security environment, during the summit, the G7 leaders issued the G7 Leaders’ Hiroshima Vision, the first independent G7 summit document on nuclear disarmament. By doing so, the G7 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a “world without nuclear weapons” and once again raised the international community’s momentum to achieve such a world.
In the Vision, the G7 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a “world without nuclear weapons” and indicated the G7’s recognition of the role that nuclear weapons, for as long as they exist, should serve in security.
In the Vision, the G7 leaders expressed their concerns over recent developments and called on China and Russia to engage substantively in relevant forums, in line with their obligations under the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). In addition, the leaders urged all countries, including non-NPT countries, to refocus political attention toward the Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT) as well as to declare and maintain moratoria on nuclear tests.
While responding appropriately to real security threats, Japan will build on this Vision as a solid step in continuing and strengthening our realistic and practical efforts, including implementing initiatives under the “Hiroshima Action Plan” one by one.
Situation in North Korea (Notification of North Korea’s Plan to Launch a Ballistic Missile, Referred to as a “Satellite”)
TBS, Nakajima: I would like to ask about the launch of what North Korea calls a “satellite rocket.” North Korea claims that it will launch a military reconnaissance satellite. What is the view of the Government of Japan? Could you share with us your thoughts about its impact on the security of Japan and the world?
Minister Hayashi:As I mentioned earlier, I am aware that yesterday, May 29, North Korea notified the Government of Japan and other organizations of its plan to launch a ballistic missile, referred to as a “satellite,” between May 31 and June 11.
North Korea’s series of actions, including repeated launches of ballistic and other missiles, threaten the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community. North Korea’s forced launch of a ballistic missile, referred to as a “satellite,” constitutes a grave provocation against the security of Japan. Furthermore, we view that any such launch, even if referred to as a “satellite,” is a violation of relevant UNSC resolutions that ban any launch using North Korea’s ballistic missile technology.