Press Conferences

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have one announcement.

Japan has recently decided to provide an additional 700,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses to Iran. The vaccines will be provided through the COVAX Facility, and the final coordination with relevant organizations and others is underway. With this provision, Japan will have provided a total of about 3.6 million vaccine doses to Iran.

In addition, with this provision, Japan will have provided a total of about 36 million vaccine doses to 23 countries and regions since we started provision in June 2021.

Next year, we aim to provide a total of 60 million vaccine doses as well as necessary support such as “Last One Mile Support” to deliver vaccines to each and every person. That is all from me.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Abe: I would like to ask about the novel coronavirus infections among the USFJ. What does the Japanese side know about the results of the genome analysis conducted by the U.S. side? If the results are not out yet, please tell us the outlook on when they will be.

Minister Hayashi: The U.S. side contacted us to say that variant PCR tests have been conducted through the end of last week. I have heard that the U.S. side is currently doing the final compilation of the test results. We will announce in an appropriate manner when we receive the final compilation and results from the U.S. side.

Independent Web Journal, WATARAI: Since December 23, it has been reported that the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and the U.S. military have formulated a draft Japan-U.S. joint operation plan in the event of a Taiwan contingency. The plan would have the U.S. Marine Corps set up an attack military base on the Nansei Islands at the initial response phase of a contingency, which would involve local residents in the battle.

Governor TAMAKI Denny of Okinawa Prefecture visited the Ministry of Defense on December 24, expressed concern that Okinawa must not become an attack target again because of a Taiwan contingency, and requested that the details be disclosed.

What is MOFA’s view on the plan being advanced at the behest of the U.S. side before the official formulation of the plan at the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (“2+2”) among the ministers in charge of foreign affairs and defense planned to be held in January 2022?

Does the peace and security that Japan ought to protect through diplomacy not include the Nansei Islands and their 1.61 million residents? Will the SDF not help residents evacuate? Please tell us your opinion on this.

Minister Hayashi: Thank you. I am aware of the reports. The governments of Japan and the United States are to formulate and update joint plans under the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation in 2015. I would like to refrain from answering about details such as the status of formulation and specific content due to the nature of the matter.

For more details, please inquire with the Ministry of Defense.

Facilitator: Please return to your seat.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: My question is about the Middle East. There are reports that Israel decided to double the people living in the Golan Heights that is occupied from Syria and next by Israel in violation of the international law. And we know that Japan is against the status quo imposed on the occupied land. So what is your comment on this issue.

Minister Hayashi: I am aware that on December 26, the Government of Israel confirmed its development plan for the Golan Heights, which includes doubling the population within five years.

Japan’s position is that we do not recognize Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights. In addition, the settlement activities are a violation of international law, and Japan has repeatedly called on the Government of Israel to completely suspend its settlement activities.

Japan is concerned that such measures could further increase tensions in the region. We will monitor with concern the developments.

Chugoku Shimbun, Higuchi: I would like to ask about the NPT Review Conference, which will be held soon on January 4, 2022. It seems that Prime Minister Kishida is seeking to give a video address. Firstly, I would like to ask about the current status of coordination of your attendance in light of factors such as the Omicron variant. Moreover, the previous conference ended up in failure. Could you please tell us the importance of the conference and the goals that should be aimed for this time?

Minister Hayashi: The NPT is the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. The NPT Review Conference, which is held with the participation of nuclear-weapon states, is a valuable opportunity to advance toward a “world without nuclear weapons.” The question of who will participate from the Government of Japan is currently under review.

It is necessary to have the participation of both nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states to advance nuclear disarmament. The Government of Japan has been working on building a shared foundation by specifically suggesting guidelines for joint actions that should be immediately undertaken by the international community and calling for future-oriented dialogue through efforts such as submitting Draft Resolution on the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons to the United Nations General Assembly.

As you just stated, at the previous NPT Review Conference held six years ago, a final document was not adopted because it was not possible to get around the gap between relevant countries concerning the concept of establishing a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. We will work in close cooperation with relevant countries so that the next NPT Review Conference can achieve significant results toward a “world without nuclear weapons.”

Asahi Shimbun, Nobira: I would like to ask about next year. The NPT will be held at the beginning of next year, the Japan-U.S. “2+2” will be held next year, and next year will also be the 50th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China relations. Next year in particular, what are the points that you will emphasize in the foreign policy? Please also tell us if there are any countries, regions, international conferences, and the like that you pay special attention to.

Minister Hayashi: Since taking the position of Minister for Foreign Affairs, even amidst the restrictions due to the novel coronavirus, I have held in-person meetings, teleconference meetings, and telephone talks a total of 41 times with foreign ministers and other people from 27 countries and regions. In addition to the G7 meeting during my visit to the United Kingdom in December, I was able to hold many bilateral in-person meetings and had very frank, in-depth discussions on issues of the international community with minsters of each country.

Amidst this situation, I felt anew the need to take a panoramic view of domestic policy and diplomacy. At the same time, in addition to bilateral meetings with various countries as well as the G7 and the like in which multiple countries participate, I strongly felt the importance of global-scale issues that should be addressed across organizational boundaries. Next year as well, I will build relationships of trust as I firmly bring back in-person diplomacy while inheriting the trust in Japanese diplomacy gained through the efforts of the people who came before me.

Asahi Shimbun, Nobira: In what you just said, I believe you mentioned “the need to take a panoramic view of domestic policy and diplomacy.” Could you please explain that in a little more detail?

Minister Hayashi: In my poor memory, I can remember that when former Prime Minister TANAKA Kakuei was a minister, he approached the Japan-U.S. textile negotiations after ensuring that he would receive support from people within Japan. That is one example. Diplomacy is not usually just conducted for diplomacy’s sake. Various domestic policies and diplomacy are connected, and I made my statement earlier in the sense that we must take a view from such a perspective.

Minister Hayashi: Thank you for your support this year. I hope you have a happy New Year.