Press Conferences

Press Conference by Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa

Friday, July 21, 2023, 10:51 a.m. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

(Video) Press Conference by Foreign Minister HAYASHI
This is a provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only.
Japanese

Foreign Minister Hayashi’s Visit to Southwest Asia and Africa

Nikkei Shimbun, Kobayashi: I understand that your visit to Southwest Asian and African countries was decided at today’s Cabinet meeting. Could you provide the details of the visit? Additionally, please share with us your goals and intentions behind the series of visits.

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs:Between late July and early August, I plan to visit India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, South Africa, Uganda, and Ethiopia. I will make an announcement later as the details are still being arranged.

In any case, as this year’s G7 Presidency, Japan places importance on strengthening relations with international partners, including the Global South, and the visit is one of the efforts for this purpose. In addition, in order to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” the Government of Japan intends to enhance relations with Southwest Asian and African countries more than ever before, and we will hold discussions with these countries from this viewpoint.

Foreign Minister Hayashi’s Visit to Southwest Asia and Africa (Sri Lanka’s Debt Issue)

NHK, Morita:I have a related question to the previous one. For this overseas visit, you have included a visit to Sri Lanka. Today marks one year since its change in government after Sri Lanka fell into the economic crisis. How does the Government of Japan intend to address this economic crisis, including the issue of the so-called Chinese debt trap?

Minister Hayashi:With regard to Sri Lanka’s debt issue, the Creditor Committee for Sri Lanka was launched with Japan, India, and France as co-chairs, and it held its first meeting on May 9. Since then, discussions have continued in order to reach an agreement on debt restructuring.

When President Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka visited Japan in May, I had the opportunity to pay a courtesy call on him. On that occasion, the President expressed his gratitude for Japan’s contributions to discussions regarding its debt restructuring.

To realize debt restructuring in a transparent and comparable manner, Japan will continue to lead the process by working closely with the other co-chairs, India and France, as well as with others including key creditor countries.

China-Russia Military Exercise

Asahi Shimbun, Uechi:I would like to ask about the military exercise between China and Russia. On July 20, the Ministry of Defence of Russia announced that its forces commenced a joint military exercise with China in the waters of the Sea of Japan. They explained that the goal of the exercise is to strengthen the Russian and Chinese navies and maintain stability and peace in the Asia-Pacific region. What is your reaction? Please also tell us how Japan will respond to China and Russia, which have been deepening their cooperation, and your expectations for the discussions at the Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) summit meeting in the United States proposed by President Biden.

Minister Hayashi: I am aware that, on July 20, the Ministry of Defence of Russia announced that the China-Russia military exercise would be conducted in the Sea of Japan from July 20 to 23.

Recently, the Chinese and Russian militaries have been conducting joint activities with increasing frequency near Japan. We will be constantly monitoring the impact of such joint activities by the two militaries, including the ongoing exercise, on the security of Japan.

As for the Japan-U.S.-ROK summit meeting that you asked about, the meeting is currently being arranged, and nothing has been decided.

Prime Minister Kishida’s Visit to Middle East

TBS, Miyamoto: I would like to ask about Japan’s Middle East diplomacy. The Prime Minister recently visited three countries in the Middle East. One of the outcomes was the agreement to regularly hold foreign ministerial-level dialogues with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. On the other hand, it appeared that Japan and Middle Eastern countries did not necessarily have a shared view on China. Please explain how Japan will emphasize the importance of a free and open international order based on the rule of law to Middle Eastern countries.

Minister Hayashi:During Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, the Prime Minister and the respective leaders confirmed that it is important to uphold the free and open international order based on the rule of law, and that they will not allow any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force anywhere in the world. Furthermore, the leaders discussed regional affairs, including the situation in East Asia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA), through foreign ministers’ meetings with GCC countries and other opportunities, and based on the achievements of Prime Minister Kishida’s recent visit to the Middle East, will continue to enhance cooperation with GCC countries to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

ALPS Treated Water (Measures against disinformation, Japan-U.S.-ROK coordination)

Sankei Shimbun, Harakawa:Last Friday, MOFA issued a press release stating that, at the Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Jakarta, the three ministers exchanged views on coordination to prevent the spread of disinformation on ALPS treated water. I understood that this was done with China in mind. I would like to ask some follow-up questions. Could you tell us what exactly Japan will be doing with the United States and the ROK based on this exchange of views? Or are the three countries already doing something? If so, could you please tell us what they are doing? In addition, earlier, you explained that the Japan-U.S.-ROK summit meeting was being arranged. Does MOFA want to include the topic of prevention of spreading disinformation on ALPS treated water in the agenda of the meeting?

Minister Hayashi:The Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on July 14 discussed coordination to prevent the spread of disinformation on ALPS treated water. However, I would like to refrain from providing further details as it was a diplomatic discussion.

In any case, the spread of malicious disinformation threatens the universal values upon which our society is built, such as freedom and democracy. At the same time, it hinders the reconstruction of the affected areas and deeply hurts the feelings of the local people who are working hard to restore them. The Government of Japan firmly opposes disinformation and its dissemination.

Japan, in cooperation with the international community, including the United States and the ROK, will take necessary measures against the spread of malicious disinformation and will continue to provide accurate and detailed information based on scientific evidence in a transparent manner.

As for the Japan-U.S.-ROK summit meeting, as I stated earlier, the meeting is currently being arranged, and nothing has been decided.

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