Press Conferences

Kyodo News, Nakata: Former President Roh Tae-woo of the ROK has passed away. Please tell us the reaction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Mr. YOSHIDA Tomoyuki, Press Secretary: We have heard the reports on the passing of former President Roh Tae-woo of the ROK, which I believe was yesterday, October 26. Former President Roh is known for his contribution to the democratization of the ROK. In terms of Japan-ROK bilateral relations, he is recognized by the Government of Japan for his efforts to develop a friendly cooperative relations between our two countries, including his visit to Japan as a State Guest in May 1990.

The Government of Japan would like to express sincere condolences and prayers upon the passing of former President Roh.

NHK, Watanabe: A press release was issued earlier, and it said that 18 people related to Japan who evacuated from Afghanistan will arrive in Japan today. During the previous press conference, there was a mentioning on the winding down of such operations. Since then, how did the operations continue? How will the Government of Japan deal with the people arriving in Japan this time? How will the government support the people who have already arrived in Japan? What are the policies at this point for the aforementioned issues? Moreover, in general, how are the operations being conducted right now? I believe there are still people in Afghanistan who wish to be evacuated, so how will the government respond to their needs going forward?

Press Secretary Yoshida: A press release was recently issued regarding this development, but I will explain just in case. Today, on October 27, 18 JICA staff who departed Afghanistan are scheduled to arrive in Japan.

Among the 18 people, 17 of them departed Afghanistan to neighboring countries by land due to the worsening situation in Afghanistan. The remaining person departed to Qatar in mid-October using a civilian aircraft arranged by the Government of Qatar at the request of Japan. All of the people expressed their wish to enter Japan, so the Government of Japan issued them visas, arranged plane tickets, and provided other support. They will arrive in Japan tonight using a civilian aircraft.

The most recent group of people arriving was on October 19, when 88 Afghani people, including local embassy and JICA staff, arrived in Japan. Since October 19, there have been no groups of arriving people. A total of six people departed Afghanistan individually and entered Japan via third-party countries. Including these people, a total of 285 Afghani people related to Japan have arrived in our country.

As a result, at this point, over 330 Afghani people related to Japan have departed Afghanistan following the worsening situation in the country. Of them, about 70 people are staying in third-party countries other than Qatar. We will continue to provide support when necessary while taking into account of their wishes.

Many Afghani people, including local staffs, have departed Afghanistan and arrived in Japan using civilian aircraft arranged by the Government of Qatar at the request of Japan. All of the Afghani people who departed Afghanistan to Qatar in that way have already entered Japan, with the exception of one person who is returning today. Therefore, all of those people who entered Qatar using civilian aircraft arranged by the Government of Qatar will have entered Japan by tonight.

It is my understanding that there are still over 200 people, including local embassy and JICA staff members, who wish to leave Afghanistan. We will continue to exert all efforts to ensure their safety and provide necessary support for them to leave Afghanistan.

As I have been stating until now, in terms of our future policy and efforts, there is no change to our resolve to consider and pursue the safest and swiftest departure methods through diplomatic efforts including continuing negotiations with the Taliban, in cooperation with the main relevant countries of the United States and Qatar as well as countries neighboring Afghanistan.

I believe that the transport of the people concerned which has been making progress with the cooperation of the Government of Qatar, which I have mentioned earlier, is mostly coming to an end.

The people who have entered and will enter Japan, will go through required testing and quarantine in accordance with necessary testing and quarantine measures due to the current novel coronavirus crisis, following their safe entry into Japan.

We will provide necessary support in full consideration of these people’s individual thoughts, intentions, situations, and circumstances in terms of whether they will stay in Japan or leave at a certain point. We will work in cooperation with relevant organizations, ministries, agencies, and parties so that they can continue to live calm and stable lives.

Kyodo News, Nakata: China has indicated its strong opposition to the statement by Secretary of State Blinken of the United States calling for support for Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations system and elsewhere. What is Japan’s assessment of this call by the United States?

Press Secretary Yoshida: I am aware of Secretary of State Blinken’s statement issued yesterday on October 26 that calls on the United Nations Member States to support Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations system and the international community.

Taiwan has always been a partner for Japan with which we share fundamental values of freedom, democracy, basic human rights, and rule of law. On the other hand, there is absolutely no change to our stance of having a working relationship with Taiwan. If I were to say anything further, it would be that in terms of the WHO and other matters, the Government of Japan has consistently stated that a geographical vacuum should not be created when responding to issues in the field of global health. For example, at the recent G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting, there was a shared recognition that it is vital to ensure inclusive processes in international organizations. Japan shares this view, and supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in WHO forums and the World Health Assembly.

In regard to Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, we believe that the Government of Japan will need to consider its response comprehensively taking into account the significance of Taiwan’s participation in various international organizations, based on our basic position on Taiwan that I have mentioned before.