Press Conferences

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs:I have an announcement at the outset.

Today we will publish a PR video on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)’s official YouTube channel encouraging short-term overseas travelers to register on “Tabi-Regi” and long-term residents to submit an “Overseas Residential Registration.”

We created this video in light of the present situation where all countries, including Japan, have eliminated border measures and the number of overseas travelers is rapidly recovering. This is our first initiative since the COVID-19 pandemic.

By registering with “Tabi-Regi” or submitting an “Overseas Residential Registration,” travelers can receive the latest safety information for their destination by email and, in the unlikely event of becoming involved in an incident, accident, or disaster there, they can receive immediate assistance, including confirming their safety.

In the video, actresses Ms. ISHIDA Hikari and Ms. MORITAKA Ai play a mother and daughter and highlight how important “Tabi-Regi” and Overseas Residential Registration are for persons traveling and living overseas.

I encourage everyone to view the video and to register with “Tabi-Regi” in line with their relevant travel period or submit an Overseas Residential Registration when traveling or living overseas.

That is all from me.

NHK, Igarashi:I would like to ask about Japan-China relations. There has been a stream of harassing telephone calls and the like from China to individuals and groups in Japan following the start of the discharge of treated water accumulated at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS). In response, yesterday, OKANO Masataka, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs summoned and protested to the Ambassador of China to Japan. Please tell us again MOFA’s view and the future response, including whether or not you yourself will hold a Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk?

Minister Hayashi:It is deeply regrettable that the situation you refer to has been happening, and I am very concerned.

As stated yesterday by Vice-Minister Okano to Mr. Wu Jianghao, Ambassador of China to Japan, Japan intends to once again strongly urge that the Government of China take the appropriate response quickly, including urging its citizens to act calmly in order to prevent the situation from becoming more serious. We also urge China to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals, Japanese diplomatic missions, and others in China. With regard to ALPS treated water, Japan again strongly urges China not to unnecessarily exacerbate public anxiety by disseminating information that is not based on scientific evidence, and to disseminate accurate information.

Regarding a Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, including a telephone talk, nothing has been determined at this point. In any case, we will urge China to take a calm and constructive response in order to build a “constructive and stable relationship” through efforts by both sides.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Yoda:On a related note, I would like to ask about the future response to China. Are you considering any actions including filing a case to the WTO?

Minister Hayashi:Japan is absolutely unable to accept the measures by China on this matter, which are not based on scientific evidence, and we have repeatedly called for the prompt lifting of import restrictions. With regard to a WTO response, Japan has previously raised the issue in the WTO of China’s import restrictions on Japanese food products, which are not based on scientific evidence. Japan will also take necessary responses under the WTO framework and others against China’s measures this time.

Fuji TV, Miyaji: I would like to ask a related question. On August 24, the day on which the discharge of treated water commenced, someone threw pieces of brick at the Embassy of Japan in Beijing. Please tell us what future responses you will take to these matters.

Minister Hayashi:As you have pointed out, bricks have been thrown at the Embassy of Japan in China. Future responses will be as I just stated.

Asahi Shimbun, Uechi: I would like to ask a follow-up question. Please tell us your view on what impact the current harassment and suspension of exports of marine products will have on future Japan-China relations?

Minister Hayashi:There are a number of challenges and concerns between Japan and China, but with regard to Japan-China relations, Japan will firmly maintain and assert our position and strongly request China’s responsible action, while maintaining the positive momentum achieved at the Japan-China Summit Meeting last November. At the same time, Japan’s consistent policy has been to promote efforts by both sides to “build a constructive and stable relationship,” firmly cooperating on common challenges while continuing dialogue, including on China’s actions surrounding ALPS treated water last year.

Under such a policy, I will firmly assert Japan’s position on ALPS treated water, while strongly urging China to take responsible action. That is why I want to have close communication with China.