Press Conferences

Press Conference by Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa

Tuesday, February 15, 2022, 9:55 a.m. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

(Video) Press Conference by Foreign Minister HAYASHI
This is a provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only.
Japanese

Opening Remarks 

Provision of Vaccines by Japan

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have an announcement about Japan’s provision of vaccines. So far, Japan has provided over 40 million doses of novel coronavirus vaccines to other countries and regions. Now, we have decided to provide through the COVAX Facility about 500,000 doses to Tajikistan and about 7,000 doses to Tonga of AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured in Japan. Japan’s provision of vaccines to Tajikistan will mark our first provision to Central Asia.

Our vaccines to Tonga have arrived today. We plan to send the vaccines to Tajikistan when the preparations are complete.

In order to bring the novel coronavirus under control, it is important to advance equitable access and spread of vaccines to the entire world. Our policy is to continue to advance provision while taking into consideration domestic vaccine production and use conditions, infection situations in various countries and regions, demand for vaccines, and other such factors.

That is all from me.

The Situation in Ukraine (Japan’s Response)

Yomiuri Shimbun, Abe: I would like to ask about the situation in Ukraine. I believe tensions are rising in Ukraine, and high-level diplomatic activities, including at the summit level, are increasing in various countries including in Europe and the United States. How will Japan undertake high-level diplomatic activities?

In addition, please tell us the latest situation of Japanese nationals residing in Ukraine and about their evacuation. Please also tell us about the status of preparation for the temporary liaison office to be established somewhere in western Ukraine?

Minister Hayashi: The unpredictable situation is continuing in which there are growing tensions due to the buildup of the Russian military in the border area with Ukraine. Although there are developments in the diplomatic efforts by relevant countries, there is a growing possibility that the situation could suddenly worsen. The Government of Japan is following such developments with grave concern and has a high sense of caution.

Japan has consistently supported Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will appropriately respond, including with diplomacy at all levels in cooperation with the international community, including the G7.

At the same time, due to the situation, we raised the Travel Advice and Warnings for all of Ukraine, including the capital city of Kiev, to Level 4 on February 11. We are recommending that Japanese nationals residing in Ukraine immediately evacuate. We have also set up a Response Division at MOFA on the same day.

The Government of Japan has been making an utmost effort to ensure the safety of Japanese residents. We have been persistently calling on Japanese residents to evacuate, including by repeatedly sending consul emails calling for Japanese residents to leave the country and contacting individuals by phone. On February 13, we issued a consul email to once again strongly recommend evacuation.

The Government of Japan will continue to take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals residing in Ukraine based on the local situation.

We have also established a temporary liaison office in Lviv City in western Ukraine. The liaison office will conduct certain work to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals.

The Situation in Ukraine (Co-Chairs’ Meeting of the Japan-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Issues)

Asahi Shimbun, Aibara: I would like to ask about Ukraine. The Co-Chairs’ Meeting of the Japan-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Issues will be held this evening Japan time, and I believe you will attend.

Please tell us the reason for holding a meeting of this committee on trade with high-ranking officials of the Government of Russia in this situation. Please also tell us if you intend to convey concern over Ukraine during the committee meeting today. Please answer these two questions.

Minister Hayashi: Today we are planning to hold the Co-Chairs’ Meeting of the Japan-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Issues. We will hold exchanges of views regarding various matters related to Japan-Russia economic relations during the meeting.

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Japan has consistently supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. During the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on February 11, we agreed to closely cooperate in dealing with the situation in Ukraine. Japan will continue to appropriately respond in cooperation with the international community, including the G7.

About what will be discussed in the Co-Chairs’ Meeting today, I would like to refrain from answering based on speculation. In any event, we will appropriately respond based on our position regarding the situation in Ukraine that I just mentioned.

The Situation in Ukraine (Sanctions Against Russia)

Videonews.com, Jinbo: Thank you for your hard work during your foreign visit. I would like to ask about sanctions regarding the situation in Ukraine. Firstly, did Secretary of State Blinken specifically request Japan to align itself on sanctions or to implement sanctions together?

If he did not make such a request, what is Japan’s current view on sanctions? You spoke about close cooperation and matters like that in the Diet and elsewhere. However, during the situation in Crimea in 2014, Japan implemented sanctions distinguished from those of Europe and the United States. If Japan were to take different measures from the West, please tell us what they will be.

Minister Hayashi: As you have stated, Japan will closely cooperate with the G7, including the United States.

At this point, Japan is strongly urging for a resolution through diplomatic negotiations. If Russia were to invade, Japan would appropriately respond in cooperation with the international community, including the G7, based on the situation, including imposing sanctions.

I would like to refrain from commenting on the specific content of consideration and coordination due to the nature of the matter.

Novel Coronavirus (Border Measures)

Radio France, Nishimura: I would like to ask about the border measures. Since last week, several major newspapers have been reporting about the relaxation of border measures based on leaked information from the government. However, Prime Minister Kishida and Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno have not said anything specific in their press conferences. For foreign exchange students who are concerned, this is an extremely harsh situation. Specifically, what measures is the Government of Japan considering for whom? Can you tell us when there will be an announcement?

Minister Hayashi: Regarding our future border measures, as Prime Minister Kishida stated in his press conference on February 12, Japan will continue to implement the framework of the current measures until the end of February. As a basic way of thinking, as the situation changes, we are currently considering the relaxation of border measures amidst the general flow of novel coronavirus infection control measures, comprehensively considering factors such as the accumulation of scientific knowledge of the Omicron variant including its subvariants, changes in infection conditions inside and outside Japan, and the conditions of overseas border measures.

About the timing, we are currently considering the relaxation of border measures based on a comprehensive study of the points I just mentioned. The Government of Japan as a whole will continue to take necessary and appropriate responses.

Radio France, Nishimura: However, the newspaper reports have more specific details. Please tell us if it is true; in other words, what the government is considering is as reported in the newspapers or not.

Minister Hayashi: It is as I stated before, which is that the Government of Japan as a whole is currently considering as it takes necessary and appropriate responses. Nothing has been decided at this point.

Radio France, Nishimura: What are you considering?

Facilitator: Please ask questions after raising your hand.

The Situation in Ukraine (Sanctions Against Russia)

Videonews.com, Jinbo: I’m sure you cannot speak about some matters, but allow me to ask. As a matter of priority, please tell us if Japan’s current way of thinking is to place importance on aligning itself with its allies or to make sure that sanctions are effective.

Minister Hayashi: Although I believe I am repeating what I said a little earlier, the basic premise is that we are strongly urging for a resolution through diplomatic negotiations. It is as I stated before, which is that if Russia were to invade, Japan would appropriately respond in cooperation with the international community, including the G7, based on the situation at the time, including imposing sanctions.

The Situation in Ukraine (Co-Chairs’ Meeting of the Japan-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Issues)

Asahi Shimbun, Aibara: I would like to ask about Ukraine again, regarding the Japan-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Issues that I asked about earlier. International pressure has been increasing considerably, including Japan participating in the G7 Finance Ministers’ Statement on Ukraine that was issued yesterday. Amidst this development, holding the Co-Chairs’ Meeting makes it seem as if, for example, the international situation and Japanese diplomacy are in slightly different positions. How do you digest this?

Minister Hayashi: What? Digest?

Asahi Shimbun, Aibara: How do you place the meeting in the context of the current situation? Is there a contradiction? What are your thoughts on that point?

Minister Hayashi: It is as I stated earlier. Concerning the situation in Ukraine, Japan has consistently supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Again, it is as I stated earlier.

In that sense, as I stated before, Japan will appropriately respond based on our position concerning the situation in Ukraine, including for the Co-Chairs’ Meeting to be held today.

The Situation in Ukraine (Japan’s Response: High-Level Dialogue)

Sankei Shimbun, Sugimoto: I would like to ask about this again since you did not answer the question at the beginning. Regarding high-level dialogue, I believe you have been busy discussing with the United States, the Quad, and others. However, during this time, high-level meetings with Europe, Western Europe, and Middle Eastern countries have not stood out. Do you think this is sufficient amidst the situation? May I ask how you will engage in such high-level dialogue?

Minister Hayashi: As I stated before, Japan will appropriately respond at all levels in cooperation with the international community, including the G7. When I stated “at all levels,” I said so with the recognition that it includes dialogues in “high level.”

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