Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs:I have two announcements at the outset.

First, I will visit Israel and Jordan from November 2 to 5. In addition, arrangements are now being made to hold meetings with Palestinian dignitaries.

Amid the current situation surrounding Israel and Palestine, the top priority right now is improving the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. This requires a humanitarian pause to implement humanitarian assistance and ensuring humanitarian access.

Japan has unequivocally condemned the terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, and has consistently called for: firstly, the immediate release of people being held hostage and securing the safety of civilians; secondly, all the parties acting based on international law; and thirdly, calming down the situation as soon as possible.

Based on this position, I have been undertaking diplomatic efforts, including communicating with and reaching out to the countries concerned for appropriate action. Last weekend, the Government of Israel stepped up ground operations and announced that the second stage of the war had begun. Local tensions are rising rapidly, and the situation remains totally unpredictable. Under these circumstances, I intend to visit this region to convey Japan’s position in person and exchange views.

Additionally, I am deeply saddened that children with bright futures, women, and the elderly are suffering as a result of the recent situation. During my visit, I also hope to meet with such people and send a message of peace.

In light of the constantly changing situation on the ground, the Government of Japan will continue to make diplomatic efforts to calm down the situation as soon as possible and improve the humanitarian situation, while taking all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese people in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Minister Kamikawa:Second, the JICA Ukraine Field Office will reopen on November 1 as part of the Government of Japan’s efforts to develop the organizational structure for promoting recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine.

Japan will be extending full-fledged support for Ukraine during the upcoming recovery and reconstruction phase. In order to realize swift and steady support in a range of fields, it is essential to take necessary safety measures and reopen the JICA field office, which will serve as our local hub.

Looking ahead to the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Reconstruction scheduled for the beginning of next year, Japan will continue to steadily provide detailed support that only Japan can offer in close contact with the Ukrainian people and press forward with the recovery and reconstruction effort in Ukraine.

That is all from me.

NHK, Igarashi:My question is related to the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine. As intense attacks continue in the Gaza Strip, effectively controlled by the Islamic organization Hamas, Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel stated on October 30 that Israel will not agree to a ceasefire with Hamas and denied the possibility of a ceasefire. What are your thoughts on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s statement? Please also tell us what Japan will be calling for during your visit to the Middle East and other occasions, and how the outcomes of your Middle East visit will be leveraged for next week’s G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Minister Kamikawa:With the local situation changing constantly, I would like to refrain from commenting on individual remarks made by another country’s leader.

As I have stated before, Japan has unequivocally condemned the terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, and has consistently called for: firstly, the immediate release of people being held hostage and securing the safety of civilians; secondly, all the parties acting based on international law; and thirdly, calming down the situation as soon as possible.

With Israel, on various occasions, Japan has stated the importance of protecting civilians, called for Israel to act in line with international humanitarian law, and requested Israel’s cooperation in ensuring humanitarian access.

In light of the constantly changing situation on the ground, we will take the opportunities of my visit and the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to continue to maintain communication with the countries concerned and take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese people in Israel and the Gaza Strip. At the same time, we will continue to make proactive diplomatic efforts towards a humanitarian pause, ensuring humanitarian access, and calming down the situation as soon as possible.

Nikkei Shimbun, Nemoto:I would like to ask about the situation in Israel. Prime Minister Kishida underscored human dignity in his address at the United Nations General Assembly and policy speech. On top of that, you have been championing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda since you assumed office. You will be visiting Israel and Jordan, and the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held next week. In view of Japan’s diplomatic position, what do you hope to advocate towards improving the current humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and calming down the situation as soon as possible?

Minister Kamikawa:As I have stated before, Japan has unequivocally condemned the terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, and has consistently called for: firstly, the immediate release of people being held hostage and securing the safety of civilians; secondly, all the parties acting based on international law; and thirdly, calming down the situation as soon as possible.

That being said, the situation in the Gaza Strip is becoming increasingly severe, and I am deeply saddened that innocent people, including children with bright futures, women, and the elderly, are suffering. We consider that the immediate priority is to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. To achieve this, it is urgent to ensure humanitarian access so that necessary assistance will be delivered to the people in the Gaza Strip.

With that recognition, in light of the constantly changing situation on the ground, we will take the opportunities of my visit and the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to continue to maintain communication with the countries concerned and take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese people in Israel and the Gaza Strip. At the same time, we will continue to make proactive diplomatic efforts towards a humanitarian pause, ensuring humanitarian access, and calming down the situation as soon as possible.

Kyodo News, Katsurada:I have a follow-up question on the situation in the Middle East. You have noted that Israel certainly has a right to defend itself and its people but that it should be in accordance with international law. Israel is expanding ground operations in the Gaza Strip. Do you view that action is in accordance with international law?

Minister Kamikawa:In the Gaza Strip and neighboring regions, there have already been numerous deaths and injuries. Tensions are heightening rapidly and the situation remains totally unpredictable. Japan is paying close attention to the situation with deep concern.

Japan is not a direct party and does not have sufficient awareness of the detailed situation. Therefore, we would like to refrain from making any definitive legal assessment.

That being said, Israel certainly has a right to defend itself and its people as a sovereign nation, and generally speaking, it goes without saying that such a right should be exercised in accordance with international law.

In any case, in light of the constantly changing situation on the ground, Japan will continue to maintain close communication with the countries concerned and take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese people in Israel and the Gaza Strip. At the same time, we will persistently continue our diplomatic efforts to calm down the situation as soon as possible and improve the humanitarian situation.

Independent Web Journal, Hamamoto: I would also like to ask about the situation in the Middle East. In the United States, which supports Israel launching a ground invasion, we are beginning to see politicians like Senator Lindsey Graham suggesting that the United States will not rule out a war with Iran in the future. If the U.S. forces intervene, there is a high likelihood that Iran, Russia, and Türkiye will also join in, which would stop oil exports from the Middle East. Japan relies on the Middle East for most of its oil and would find itself in a challenging predicament. Should Japan not strongly urge Israel to cease its invasion of Gaza, and oppose the escalation of war? Please share your views.

Minister Kamikawa:As I have stated before, Japan has unequivocally condemned the terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, and has consistently called for: firstly, the immediate release of people being held hostage and securing the safety of civilians; secondly, all the parties acting based on international law; and thirdly, calming down the situation as soon as possible.

With Israel, in my talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Cohen on October 12, I called for the calming down of the situation as soon as possible, and in my talks with the Ambassador of Israel to Japan on October 27, I requested cooperation for a humanitarian pause and ensuring humanitarian access.

In light of the constantly changing situation on the ground, Japan will continue to maintain communication with the countries and the parties concerned including Israel and Palestine, and take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese people in Israel and the Gaza Strip. At the same time, we will actively and persistently continue our diplomatic efforts to calm down the situation as soon as possible and improve the humanitarian situation.

Anadolu Agency, Mercan:Can the Japanese Foreign Minister definitively state that Israel has been complying with international humanitarian law in its military actions in Gaza over the past few weeks? Thousands of videos document what has been happening in Gaza, and I am sure you have all seen the videos. The UK non-governmental organization Save the Children reported that more than 3,000 Palestinian children have been killed in the Gaza Strip in three weeks. My question is not about Hamas but entirely about Israel. Can the Japanese Foreign Minister declare that Israel has been complying with international humanitarian law in Gaza and that there have been no war crimes? Should the international community expect Japan to call for a ceasefire during your visit to Israel?

Minister Kamikawa:Japan is not a direct party and does not have sufficient awareness of the detailed situation. Therefore, we would like to refrain from making any definitive legal assessment.

That being said, Japan has been consistently calling on all parties to act in accordance with international law. We have also stated to Israel that Japan unequivocally condemns the terror attacks by Hamas and others and that protecting civilians is important. We have requested Israel to act in accordance with international law, allow a humanitarian pause, and ensure humanitarian access.

Based on the constantly changing situation on the ground, we will take this opportunity of my visit to the Middle East to continue to maintain communication with Israel as well as other countries and parties concerned, and take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese people in Israel and the Gaza Strip. At the same time, we intend to actively and persistently continue our diplomatic efforts to calm down the situation as soon as possible and improve the humanitarian situation.