Press Conferences

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have two announcements at the outset.

The first is about my visit to Jakarta, Indonesia from tomorrow, July 12 to 15, to attend ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings. On July 13, an ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and an ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held, and on the 14th, an East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and an ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting will be held.

ASEAN is a long-standing close partner of Japan, and is also key to the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” for which Japan announced a new plan in March of this year. I hope to confirm our close cooperation with ASEAN for the realization of both the FOIP and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which share fundamental principles, ahead of the Commemorative Summit to be held in Tokyo from December 16 to 18 this year, which marks the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

At the upcoming meetings, we also plan to exchange views on regional and international affairs, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the East and South China Seas, North Korea, and Myanmar. During the discussions, I will explain Japan’s policies and intentions clearly and confirm the strengthening of coordination between Japan and relevant countries.

Furthermore, arrangements are now being made to hold meetings on the margins with the ASEAN Chair, Indonesia, as well as other participating countries.

Minister Hayashi: The second announcement is that we have decided to launch today the Security Cooperation Division. Under the Foreign Policy Bureau’s National Security Policy Division, the Security Cooperation Division will be in charge of Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA), which was established in April.

OSA is an assistance framework to contribute to the enhancement of the security capacities and deterrence capabilities of like-minded countries. The Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform 2023, which was decided by the Cabinet on June 16, states that “We will strategically promote and strengthen OSA,” and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is now working to develop the OSA structure.

In this regard, we have decided to launch the new Security Cooperation Division in order to formulate and steadily implement meaningful projects in light of the objectives of OSA, as well as to conduct proper ex-post follow-up, including monitoring.

The Security Cooperation Division will play a central role in our efforts to strategically promote and strengthen OSA.

That is all from me.

Asahi Shimbun, Uechi:I have a question about the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings that you mentioned in your opening remarks. Some Southeast Asian countries pursue an impartial or omnidirectional foreign policy toward China and Russia. What kind of outcomes does the Government of Japan hope to achieve at the ASEAN-Japan and bilateral meetings, and what will the Government be doing to achieve such outcomes? Please share with us your thoughts on these points, including on the relationship between Japan and ASEAN.

Minister Hayashi:At the upcoming ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, as I stated in my opening remarks, I hope to confirm the close cooperation between Japan and ASEAN to realize both the FOIP and AOIP, which share fundamental principles.

The FOIP proposes a guiding perspective to be shared by various countries for leading the world toward cooperation rather than division and confrontation. Furthermore, Japan attaches importance to the approach of advancing cooperation in a realistic and practical manner through dialogue, while accepting diverse values, culture, and history, respecting others, and being open to anyone.

I am aware that the relations between Southeast Asian countries and external countries are wide-ranging due to their respective historical backgrounds and situations. I will take such perspectives into account in exchanging views on regional and international affairs and explaining Japan’s policies and intentions clearly at the bilateral meetings and other opportunities, and carry out fine-tuned diplomacy.

NHK, Morita:I too have a question related to ASEAN. According to some reports, China has called for the Chairman’s Statement of the ARF Ministerial Meeting to express opposition to the discharge of treated water at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. How does Japan intend to address this matter at the ASEAN meetings? Additionally, are you considering providing any explanations by holding separate meetings with China, which opposes the discharge, and with the Republic of Korea (ROK), where some people have expressed concerns?

Minister Hayashi:The IAEA Comprehensive Report, which has recently been published, has concluded that the approach to the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea is consistent with relevant international safety standards, and that the discharge of the ALPS treated water will have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment. In addition, the IAEA has stated that its reviews and monitoring will continue even after the discharge is initiated.

We intend to explain Japan’s position clearly to obtain further understanding of the international community, including the points I just mentioned.

While China has made remarks about ALPS treated water that are factually incorrect, Japan, on repeated instances, has appropriately refuted such remarks based on scientific evidence. Furthermore, Japan has requested that China make conclusions that are based on scientific evidence.

Japan intends to continue to provide scientifically based, highly transparent, detailed explanations of its position to the international community, including ASEAN countries and China, in order to deepen their understanding.

Regarding a Japan-China or Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, nothing has been decided at this time.

TBS, Miyamoto:On a related note, North Korea released a statement on July 9. In regard to the IAEA’s report, North Korea criticizes the IAEA for “actively patronizing” Japan’s plan to discharge ALPS treated water. Will Japan seek to gain the understanding of North Korea? North Korea is expected to attend the ARF. Will Japan use this opportunity to make some form of contact with North Korea or seek to obtain its understanding?

Minister Hayashi:While I am aware of the reports about the statement you just mentioned, I will refrain from commenting on each remark made by North Korea. In addition, nothing has been decided regarding any form of contact that you mentioned.

That being said, we consider the IAEA Comprehensive Report to be an independent third-party assessment that was conducted based on scientific evidence by the IAEA, which is authorized under its Statute to establish and apply international safety standards in the field of nuclear energy.

Pan Orient News, Azhari:Thank you. Azuhari, Pan Orient News, Arab in Japan. Russia and the Arab Cooperation Council countries are having now foreign ministerial strategy dialogue. What is Japan’s reaction towards the members of the International Committee and these countries that have still, that still have good relations with Russia and still believe in the diplomatic solution rather than the war to end in Ukraine? Thank you.

Minister Hayashi:Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundation of the international order, which the international community has built up over a long period of dedicated efforts and sacrifices. Japan, in coordination with the G7 members, has urged Russia to immediately cease its unlawful use of force and withdraw its forces to Russia.

Against this backdrop, Russia is still continuing its attacks against Ukraine, and President Putin stated that the annexed parts of Ukraine are not up for negotiation. There are no signs of any attempt by Russia to make compromises.

To bring Russia’s aggression to an end as soon as possible under these circumstances, Japan will continue to impose strict sanctions against Russia and provide robust support for Ukraine in close cooperation with the international community, including the G7.

This was reaffirmed among the G7 members at the G7 Hiroshima Summit. In addition, the leaders of invited countries, including the so-called Global South, and others agreed that any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force cannot be tolerated anywhere in the world, and concurred on the importance of a free and open international order based on the rule of law. These principles have earned the broad support of the international community and form the foundation for realizing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. In this regard, Japan will continue to engage in diplomatic efforts.

Kyodo News, Katsurada:I would like to ask about passport applications on Mynaportal. Following a series of revelations of erroneous registration and other problems associated with the My Number Card, the Government announced that it will conduct an overall review of the personal information that can be viewed on Mynaportal, a dedicated website. MOFA has been accepting passport renewal applications on Mynaportal since March of this year. Have the series of problems had any impact on this process? In addition, has the overall review caused any delays in the implementation of online applications?

Minister Hayashi:Online passport applications have been accepted on Mynaportal in all prefectures since March 27. I believe there have been no marked problems with this process to date.

The passport renewal process only involves applying online using the My Number Card. The online application system has not been affected by the incorrect linking of My Number, and I understand there have been no delays in the implementation of online applications.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Yoda:My question is related to an earlier question on arrangements for a Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the margins of the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings. As China steps up its opposition to the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, can you please share with us your views on the importance of high-level dialogues?

Minister Hayashi:As I mentioned earlier, while arrangements are being made to hold meetings with the ASEAN Chair, Indonesia, and various other participating countries, a Japan-China or Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting has not been decided at this time.

As I stated earlier, the IAEA Comprehensive Report has concluded that the approach to the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea is consistent with relevant international safety standards, and that the discharge of the ALPS treated water will have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment. In addition, the IAEA has stated that its reviews and monitoring will continue even after the discharge is initiated. We intend to explain Japan’s position clearly to obtain the further understanding of the international community, including the points I just mentioned.

While China has made remarks about the ALPS treated water that are factually incorrect, Japan, on repeated instances, has appropriately refuted such remarks based on scientific evidence. Furthermore, Japan has requested that China make conclusions that are based on scientific evidence.

Japan intends to continue to provide scientifically based, highly transparent, detailed explanations of its position to the international community, including ASEAN countries and China, in order to deepen their understanding.