Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs:I have three announcements.

First, I just hosted a G7 Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk in light of the situation in Israel and Palestine. At the outset, I spoke about how the situation is constantly changing and how Japan is paying close attention to the situation with deep concern amid escalating tensions. In addition, I expressed appreciation for the G7 members’ vigorous diplomatic efforts. I also explained that I held telephone talks with Israel and Arab countries and called on Foreign Minister Abdollahian of Iran to calm down the situation as soon as possible. In response, Secretary of State Blinken and other G7 members shared their respective efforts.

Furthermore, I explained that Japan intends to implement emergency humanitarian aid of USD 10 million in total for civilians in the Gaza Strip, stating that it is essential to minimize the deterioration of the humanitarian situation and that Japan places particular importance on ensuring humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip. Additionally, I expressed my hope that the G7 members will work together for the evacuation of their citizens.

We confirmed that the G7 members unequivocally condemn the recent terror attacks and concurred on the need to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and on the G7 members’ continued collaboration.

Second, at a little after 5:00 p.m., I held a telephone talk with Foreign Minister Abdollahian of Iran. I stated that Japan has been unequivocally condemning the recent terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants. I also stressed that it is important for the numerous civilians being held hostage to be released as soon as possible, and to calm down the situation. In addition, I called on Iran to play a role in urging Hamas and others to calm down the situation.

Furthermore, we agreed on the importance of working together to improve humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip and the importance of the international community providing humanitarian assistance in unity. We also confirmed that we will continue close communication on the matter.

Third, at 7:00 p.m., I held a telephone talk with Foreign Minister Colonna of France. At the outset, I expressed my heartfelt condolences to the people of France who fell victim to the terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, and to the terror attack that took place last week in France.

I stated that Japan has unequivocally condemned the terror attacks and has been paying close attention to the situation with deep concern, as well as that I have been communicating with the parties concerned in order to calm down the situation. In addition, I explained Japan’s efforts, including providing emergency humanitarian assistance of a total amount of 10 million US dollars. Minister Colonna explained France’s diplomatic efforts.

Furthermore, I explained the three priorities to which Japan attributes particular importance, namely that the numerous civilians being held hostage are released as soon as possible, the safety of civilians is ensured, and the early resolution of the incident in accordance with international law. I gained full support from Minister Colonna. We concurred to continue to coordinate on various issues of the international community, including the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine, both bilaterally and among the G7 Foreign Ministers.

That is all from me.

Reporter:You have held telephone talks with G7 members and other countries concerned. Please tell us what diplomatic efforts Japan intends to make to calm down the situation in Israel and Palestine as soon as possible, including the Prime Minister or you visit there.

Minister Kamikawa:As I mentioned earlier, at a little after 5:00 p.m., I held a telephone talk with Foreign Minister Abdollahian of Iran, for approximately 20 minutes. During the telephone talk, we held a frank discussion regarding the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine. I stressed that first, I am paying close attention to the situation in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, with deep concern; second, Japan has been unequivocally condemning the recent terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, especially the attacks on, and kidnapping of, innocent civilians, which cannot be justified for any reason; third, I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives of so many innocent civilians, and that it is important for the numerous civilians being held hostage to be released as soon as possible, and to calm down the situation.

In addition, we agreed on the importance of working together to improve humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip and the importance of the international community providing humanitarian assistance in unity. Furthermore, I called on Iran to play a role in urging Hamas and others to calm down the situation. Additionally, we concurred to continue close communication on the matter.

Japan has the G7 Presidency this year. Regarding the situation in Israel and Palestine, Japan has been actively making diplomatic efforts towards, for example, calming down the situation as soon as possible and improving the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Today, Prime Minister Kishida held telephone talks with President El-Sisi of Egypt and President von der Leyen of the European Commission, as part of such diplomatic efforts. I have also so far held telephone talks with both Israel and Palestine, Arab countries, Western countries, and Iran, as well as the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk.

Through such diplomatic efforts, Japan will take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese people in Israel and the Gaza Strip, and at the same time, continue to make active efforts to calm down the situation and improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

At this time, nothing has been decided about my visits, which you mentioned. I intend to continue communication with my counterparts including engaging the various parties concerned, while working closely with the countries and the international community. I will take all possible measures to ensure the safety of the Japanese people while engaging in persistent diplomatic efforts towards calming down the situation as soon as possible.