Press Conferences

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs:I have attended a series of ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings here in Jakarta. Yesterday, I attended the ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Today, I attended the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting. In addition, I had respective bilateral meetings with the ASEAN Chair: Indonesia, Malaysia, Timor-Leste, Brunei, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Mongolia, Australia, China, Türkiye , and Bangladesh. I also held the Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Japan-U.S.-Philippines Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

In this series of ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, I once again expressed support for ASEAN centrality and unity and the “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP),” and emphasized the importance of the shared fundamental principles of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and AOIP including openness, transparency, inclusivity, and respect for international law. In addition, I confirmed the close cooperation with ASEAN towards the Commemorative Summit to be held in Tokyo this year from December 16 to 18, for the historic milestone of the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

In addition, on regional and international issues, I strongly condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundation of the international order and is a clear violation of international law, while stating Japan’s position that Russia’s nuclear threats, let alone the use of nuclear weapons, are absolutely unacceptable. Furthermore, I stated that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force should never be tolerated anywhere in the world. I strongly condemned China’s continuing and intensifying activities that infringe on Japan’s sovereignty in the East China Sea, while pointing out that militarization and coercive activities had also been continuing in the South China Sea and the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

With regard to China, I stated the importance of Japan and China advancing mutual cooperation to build a “constructive and stable relationship.” In addition, with regard to North Korea, I strongly condemned the launch of an ICBM-class ballistic missile on July 12 as this threatens the peace and security of the international community. I also stated that it is essential for the international community to be united and fully implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, in order to achieve the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement (CVID) of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges. Furthermore, I asked for the continued understanding and cooperation of all countries toward the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.

At this ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, in response to China’s claim that the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea is not based on scientific evidence, I clearly explained Japan’s position that ALPS treated water will be discharged into the sea in accordance with international standards and practices, taking into consideration of the conclusion of the IAEA Comprehensive Report.

Through a series of meetings, I clearly conveyed Japan’s position on various issues, including regional issues of concern, and I was able to hold significant discussions on a wide range of areas from diplomacy and security to economic issues.

Amid this turning point in history, it is significant that I was able to make sure that Japan and ASEAN will strengthen cooperation for the peace and prosperity of the world during this visit. Japan will continue to vigorously advance efforts to achieve the free and open international order based on the rule of law, closely cooperating with relevant countries including ASEAN.

That is all from me.

Reporter:Today marked the end of the series of recent meetings. Among the ASEAN countries, there are countries that have various positions with regard to Russia and China. What is your view on the outcomes of directly urging principles such as the importance of the rule of law during these meetings in which the parties concerned including China and Russia, as well as North Korea also participated?

Minister Hayashi:As I stated at the outset, in this series of ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, I once again consistently expressed support for ASEAN centrality and unity and AOIP, and emphasized the importance of the shared fundamental principles of FOIP and AOIP including openness, transparency, inclusivity, and respect for international law. In addition, I confirmed the close cooperation with ASEAN towards the Commemorative Summit to be held in Tokyo this year from December 16 to 18, for the historic milestone of the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

I firmly conveyed Japan’s view and position on regional and international issues, and I was able to hold significant discussions with each country regarding matters including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the East and South China Seas, Taiwan, North Korea and Myanmar.

Amid this turning point in history, it is significant that I was able to confirm that Japan and ASEAN will strengthen cooperation for the peace and prosperity of the world during this visit. Japan will continue to vigorously advance efforts to achieve a free and open international order based on the rule of law, closely cooperating with relevant countries including ASEAN.

Reporter::Concerning the plans to discharge “treated water” into the sea, what sort of exchanges did you have during the multilateral meetings and in your meeting with Mr. Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee? In addition, did you achieve any outcomes? China apparently lobbied to have the Chairman’s Statement clearly state objection to the dischargeHow did the Japanese government deal with that? Please also tell us the impact of this issue on future Japan-China relations amidst the dialogue that has commenced.

Minister Hayashi:As I stated earlier, at these ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, in response to China’s claim that the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea is not based on scientific evidence, I clearly explained Japan’s position that ALPS treated water will be discharged into the sea in accordance with international standards and international practices, taking into consideration of the conclusions of the IAEA Comprehensive Report.

Then with regard to the meeting with Director Wang Yi, I objected to the politicization of this issue, and I clearly reiterated Japan’s position, referring to the recent IAEA Comprehensive Report. In addition, I once again called upon China to act based on a scientific standpoint, and reiterated Japan’s readiness to communicate with China from such a standpoint. Director Wang Yi stated China’s position.

In regard to the Chairman’s Statement of ARF, my understanding is that the chair is still promoting coordination in light of the opinions of all countries including Japan. In any case, Japan continues to explain its position thoroughly to the international community in a highly transparent manner, in light of the conclusions of the IAEA report, and strongly urges China to discuss based on a scientific standpoint.

As for relations with China, I believe it is important for Japan to firmly maintain and assert our position and strongly request responsible actions from China, while at the same time continuing dialogue including on issues of concern and cooperating on matters of common interest, including global ones, and for both sides to build a “constructive and stable relationship” through such efforts.

Reporter:Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov and North Korea’s “Ambassador” also attended today’s meeting. Did you have any contact with them? If there was, please tell us about this, including any exchanges. You also had a meeting with Member of the Central Politburo of the Communist Party of China Wang Yi. Did you invite Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Premier Li Qiang to visit Japan and was a meeting between Prime Minister Kishida and Xi Jinping also discussed?

Minister Hayashi: I had no contact with representatives of North Korea or Russia.

In regard to high-level reciprocal visits between Japan and China, nothing has been decided at this point in time. But in the meeting with Director Wang Yi, I reconfirmed that we would have close communication at all levels, including between leaders and foreign ministers, as confirmed at the Japan-China Summit Meeting in November last year.