Press Conferences

Yomiuri Shimbun, Abe: The United States has announced that it will stage a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games. Firstly, please tell us the view of the Government of Japan.

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I am aware of the announcement by the Government of the United States, but I would like to refrain from commenting on the responses by other countries to the Beijing Winter Games.

It is not necessarily clear what the diplomatic boycott you mentioned specifically means. As for the Government of Japan’s response to the Beijing Winter Games, we will decide at the appropriate time by comprehensively considering various circumstances. Nothing has been decided at this point.

In any event, Japan expects that the Beijing Winter Games will be held as an event for peace following the ideals of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Abe: I would like to ask another question. Concerning the various circumstances you just mentioned, the United States appears to be placing importance on human rights. In a recent press conference, you announced that MOFA is requesting the placement of a post in charge of measures against human rights violation through the FY2022 structural request. Will human rights be among the various circumstances that the Government of Japan should consider?

Minister Hayashi: Japan believes that it is important that the international community’s universal values of freedom, respect for fundamental human rights, and the rule of law are ensured in China as well. We are directly urging China on various levels regarding Japan’s position.

About the Government of Japan’s response to the Beijing Winter Games, I believe we will decide at the appropriate time by comprehensively considering various circumstances, including the various points you raised.

NHK, Aoki: I would like to ask about the border measures against the novel coronavirus. Please tell us what points will be the basis for determination and the way of thinking for the Government of Japan to change the measures and their application.

Minister Hayashi: Regarding our response to the Omicron variant, we are taking temporary, exceptional measures just in case as a precautionary measure for one month to avoid the worst possible scenario in Japan, until information on the Omicron variant becomes clear to a certain extent.

The ministries and agencies concerned will together consider the future border measures while referencing information on the Omicron variant and the way various foreign countries are responding.

Radio France, Nishimura: Concerning this, the Government of Japan of course intends to relieve the people of Japan by banning entry into the country by foreign nationals. But at the same time, this sends a wrong message that the virus will not come in if foreign nationals do not come.

Could you not send a message with a clearer scientific basis?

In addition to new entry into Japan from 10 African countries not being allowed, re-entry is also not allowed. Is there a possibility that there will be an increase in the number of countries from which re-entry into Japan is not allowed?

Minister Hayashi: Due to the emergence of the Omicron variant, the various measures announced by the Government on November 30 and December 1 include a ban on re-entry from countries and regions designated as requiring 10-day waiting periods at this point. As I explained before, these are emergency evacuation types of temporary, precautionary measures.

Additionally, re-entry is allowed only to those with “special exceptional circumstances.” In any event, people who re-enter the country are those who are staying with a status of residence and have built certain relations with the people of Japan. We will carefully consider by taking into account the various effects that could arise due to banning re-entry because of their strong ties with Japanese society and other factors.

Mainichi Shimbun, Kaite: December 8 will mark 80 years since the outbreak of war between Japan and the United States. What is your assessment of Japan-U.S. relations since then, and what are your thoughts on how the Japan-U.S. Alliance should be going forward? In addition, Japan at the time was defeated as a result of its deepening isolation in the international community, the diplomatic deadlock, and going to war against the United States which had an overwhelming difference in national strength. What lessons do you think can be learned from the decision at the time to start the war?

Now, China has become a challenger to the international order. The confrontation between the United States and China is intensifying, and the security environment is growing increasingly severe. Please tell us how Japan intends to make use of the lessons from 80 years ago.

Minister Hayashi: 80 years have passed since the outbreak of war between Japan and the United States. Although Japan and the United States fought in an intense war, we have now built the world’s strongest alliance.

I believe that the Japan-U.S. Alliance has become unwavering due to the accumulated efforts of both Japan and the United States, including the signing and revision of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, the formulation of the Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation three times, and the establishment of the legislation for peace and security.

I believe that the visit to Hiroshima by President Obama and the visit to Pearl Harbor by Prime Minister Abe in 2016 both firmly showed the world the power of reconciliation between Japan and the United States.

As the security environment surrounding Japan grows increasingly severe, strengthening the response and deterrence capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, which is the linchpin of Japan’s diplomacy and security policy, has been especially gaining importance.

In addition, as attempts to change the status quo using force become obvious, maintaining the free and open international order based on the rule of law is in Japan’s national interest, and cooperation with the United States as well as like-minded countries and partners has become indispensable for this aspect as well.

We have mounting challenges including ensuring Japan’s peace and security, realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” novel coronavirus countermeasures, and climate change. It is of the utmost importance that Japan and the United States handle these issues by closely collaborating and cooperating under a strong relationship of mutual trust. Thus, I believe that it is essential to conduct close communication at various levels, including the summit and ministerial levels.

You also mentioned lessons. As you stated, Japan, which at the time received a major shock from the emergence of bloc economies amidst the global depression, experienced deepening isolation and a diplomatic and economic deadlock. Japan attempted to resolve this through the use of force and became a challenger to the international order, going down the path toward war.

Due to this past lesson, no matter the conflict, Japan has respected the rule of law, upheld the principle of resolving matters peacefully and diplomatically without the use of force, developed free, fair, and open international economic systems, strengthened support for developing countries, and driven further global prosperity.

Today, we are facing challenges to the universal values that have supported the peace and prosperity of the international community through now, as well as challenges to the international order. Japan will further strengthen cooperation with like-minded countries toward maintaining and strengthening the free and open order based on these values and principles.

Asahi Shimbun, Nohira: I would like to ask about the diplomatic boycott.

The background for the United States’ decision on the boycott was strong concerns about human rights issues in China. Please confirm again how problematic you consider China’s human rights violations, such as in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, to be.

Minister Hayashi: As I have stated many times, I have spoken directly with China about this, including the points you mentioned. During my recent telephone talk with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, I directly conveyed our concerns.

Jiji Press, Tanaka: I would like to ask another question about the response to the Beijing Winter Games. The United States has notified its allies through diplomatic channels to not dispatch government officials to the Games. Prime Minister Kishida previously stated that Japan will make a decision based on its position. Please tell us your current thoughts on whether Japan will make its decision taking into account the notification received from the United States, or if Japan will ultimately make its own decision based on its position.

Minister Hayashi: As I stated before, the Government of Japan will decide at the appropriate time by comprehensively considering various circumstances. You also mentioned the prior notification. Japan and the United States closely cooperate in various fields constantly. I would like to refrain from commenting on each diplomatic exchange we have.

Kyodo News, Maeda: Regarding Myanmar, I would like to ask about the guilty verdict for Ms. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Yesterday, the special court established by the Myanmar military sentenced Ms. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to four years of imprisonment for crimes including inciting social unrest. Various western countries have issued statements calling this an unjust judgment. Please tell us the reaction of the Government of Japan.

Minister Hayashi: I am aware that yesterday, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint were each sentenced to four years of imprisonment, and that their sentences were later shortened to two years by the current administration in Myanmar.

Since the coup d’état, Japan has been strongly urging the Myanmar side to immediately stop the violence, release those who are detained including State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and swiftly restore Myanmar’s democratic political system.

While the international community, including Japan, requests the swift restoration of Myanmar’s democratic political system, this judgment is an undesirable development and we are concerned. We will continue to press for an improvement of the situation while cooperating with the international community, including ASEAN.

Hokkaido Shimbun, Bun: I would like to ask about the new tax exemption system introduced by Russia based on Russian law in the Northern Territories. On November 26, Russia’s Minister of Finance Siluanov indicated the policy of lengthening the period of the tax exemption system from 10 years to 20 years. The system is arranged to also apply to the Japan-Russia joint economic activities. Please tell us your reaction to this situation, including Japan’s position.

Minister Hayashi: I believe that the introduction of a preferential treatment system for regional economic development including the Four Northern Islands premised on “Russian law,” as well as calling for widening participation by Japanese companies and third-party country companies in such economic development, is incompatible with the intent of the joint economic activities on the Four Northern Islands discussed by Japan and Russia, based on Japan’s position regarding the Four Northern Islands and the agreement between Japan and Russia’s summit leaders.

We have repeatedly lodged protests to the Russian side about Japan’s position until now. We will continue to conduct constructive consultations with the Russian side toward implementing joint economic activities in a manner that does not harm either side’s legal position.

Tribune News, Susilo: I would like to ask about the issue of the abductees. On July 9, 2002, five people abducted by North Korea as well as Charles Jenkins came to Japan via Jakarta, Indonesia. At that time, it was truly good that Indonesia could help Japan.

Last Friday, you discussed with the Foreign Minister of Indonesia on various issues. One of the matters in your discussion was that you requested continued understanding and cooperation regarding the abductions issue. I would like to confirm whether you would like Indonesia to help Japan a second time regarding the people abducted by North Korea.

Minister Hayashi: In addition to directly urging North Korea about the abductions issue, we have been taking all high-level opportunities to explain Japan’s position on the abductions issue to various relevant countries, and we have received support and understanding from many countries.

As you just stated, during the foreign ministers’ telephone talk on December 3, I asked for an understanding and cooperation on the abductions issue from Foreign Minister Retno. The abductions issue is a matter of utmost priority to the administration. I would like to refrain from commenting on the details of individual cases of cooperation. We will continue to exert all efforts without missing any opportunity to realize the repatriation of all the abductees as quickly as possible while closely cooperating with the international community, including Indonesia.

Kyodo News, Maeda: I would like to ask about the cost of HNS for the U.S. Forces in Japan. The cost has been referred to using the term omoiyari yosan (sympathy budget). I believe this term originated from the statement of “having sympathy” made by the head of the Japan Defense Agency Kanemaru back then. Please tell us the Government of Japan’s view on such a phrase.

Minister Hayashi: As the security environment surrounding Japan grows increasingly severe, the term HNS has been used due to the important role that HNS plays in ensuring the seamless and effective activities of the U.S. Forces in Japan, which are indispensable for Japan’s security. We do not use terms such as omoiyari yosan.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Abe: I would like to ask again about the significance of in-person diplomacy. Recently, the WTO Ministerial Conference was postponed. Although in-person diplomacy was resumed for a short time, there are limitations again now due to the Omicron variant. The G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is also scheduled to be held soon. Please tell us again your thoughts on the significance of ministers directly meeting and speaking with one another.

Minister Hayashi: Before the various limitations were in place due to the novel coronavirus, basically, diplomacy and various events were done in person. In that sense, since in-person diplomacy is not available due to the limitations of the novel coronavirus, we are holding telephone talks and teleconference meetings instead. However, if we try comparing a telephone talk and a teleconference meeting, we can discern more information such as the counterpart’s facial expression and so forth with a teleconference meeting. With an in-person meeting, we can discern even more information, sense the atmosphere, and enhance the relationship of trust with our counterparts. Thus, I believe that in-person diplomacy is very important.

Radio France, Nishimura: Many foreign exchange students cannot enter Japan, and I believe an increasing number of people are giving up. Do you have a message for foreign exchange students?

Minister Hayashi: As I stated before, we have temporarily suspended new entry into Japan by foreign nationals from all countries and regions except for those with special exceptional circumstances. Due to the emergence of the Omicron variant, we are applying stricter application, limiting new entry into Japan due to “special exceptional circumstances” to cases in which entry is truly necessary at this timing based on individual circumstances. Due to this stricter application, a new entry into Japan has been suspended for not only exchange students but also people who had been allowed to enter Japan due to special exceptional circumstances until now. As I stated before, please understand that we are taking temporary, exceptional measures to prepare for the worst possible scenario for about one month.