Press Conferences

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: This morning, I participated for the first time as Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs in the partner’s session of the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. I also attended the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which was held just before the NATO meeting, taking the opportunity the gathering relevant foreign ministers. During both meetings, I explained my recent visit to Poland, expressed solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and stated that Japan will continue to respond in cooperation with the G7 and like-minded countries. Firstly, at the beginning of the schedule, the G7, which has met six times this year, condemned in the strongest possible terms the atrocities committed by the Russian armed forces in Bucha and other areas, and affirmed our readiness to further assist Ukraine. We also agreed on the necessity of strengthening pressure on Russia through sanctions. I stated that Japan will steadily implement sanctions. The detail is written in the press release. We discussed the necessity of strengthening humanitarian assistance, ensuring food security, and responding to effects on food prices. Foreign Minister Kuleba of Ukraine participated in the latter half and we exchanged views regarding issues such as the war situation and future necessary support.

During the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I stated that based on discussions concerning the situation in Ukraine, it is not possible to speak about the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region separately and that the participation of Asia-Pacific partners in the meeting clearly showed our solidarity and sent a strong message to the international community. I also welcomed NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg’s efforts to strengthen relations with NATO’s Asia-Pacific partners. Additionally, I stated that unilateral changes to the status quo by force are unforgivable no matter the region and that it is vitally important to maintain and develop the international order based on universal values in all regions for global peace and stability. We shared the view that it is necessary to strengthen cooperation among like-minded countries that share fundamental values.

After that, I held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Belgium, the EU, the United States, Canada, and Georgia. During the meetings, we discussed issues including the response to the situation in Ukraine and cooperation toward realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” and affirmed cooperation on these matters.

I held a lengthy exchange of views on wide-ranging international situations, including the situation in Ukraine, over lunch with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Borrell. I welcomed the rising interest of the EU toward the Indo-Pacific region, including the Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific held in February, and we agreed to deepen Japan-EU cooperation in a wide range of fields, including realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

I also exchanged views regarding the situation in Ukraine and current international situations such as China and North Korea with Secretary of State Blinken of the United States. We confirmed that as the regional security environment grows increasingly severe, Japan and the United States will strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance in order to not allow unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, and strengthen our commitment to the region in all aspects of politics, security, and the economy. Additionally, we shared the recognition that it is becoming increasingly important to maintain the free, open international order based on the rule of law, and agreed that Japan and the United States will continue to cooperate closely toward realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”

In addition, just a while ago, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council. This shows the strong will of a variety of countries that it is inappropriate for countries such as Russia that have committed grave violations of international humanitarian law, such as the killing of innocent civilians, to remain in the Human Rights Council. This resolution has an important meaning. Japan swiftly joined the countries submitting the resolution and actively voiced support for it to various countries. We will continue to cooperate closely with the international community, including the G7. That is all from me.

Reporter: Regarding the NATO meeting, Japan has strengthened its relations with NATO up to now. Please tell us how Japan specifically plans to strengthen basic cooperation with NATO toward stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Minister Hayashi: During the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the ministers agreed on the necessity of strengthening cooperation with like-minded countries that share fundamental values as the international community faces a severe security environment. Japan and NATO signed an Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme (IPCP) in 2014, and have strengthened cooperation in the areas of cyber and maritime security based on the IPCP until now. We will promote specific cooperation toward NATO’s further engagement in the Indo-Pacific. Based on the recognition that it is not possible to speak about the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region separately, which I mentioned earlier, in addition to responding to the situation in Ukraine, we will also strengthen cooperation with partners, including NATO, that share the vision toward realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

Reporter: I would like to ask about your statements at the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. You mentioned that the current situation where some countries are directly and indirectly supporting the invasion is a matter of concern. You also mentioned that China has still not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. What is your current view on China that was the basis of your statement?

Minister Hayashi: During the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I made some points including the fact that China has still not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As symbolized by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, I believe that it is not possible to separate the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. In that sense, amidst the current severe security environment, I believe that maintaining and developing the international order based on universal values is vitally important. I made my statement based on the view that Japan will further strengthen cooperation with partners, including Europe, that share the vision toward realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

Reporter: The G7 Leaders’ Statement issued today announces the promotion of a plan that includes phasing out and banning coal imports from Russia. Japan relies on Russia for about 10% of its coal import volume. How do you plan to reduce this amount?

Minister Hayashi: I am aware that the EU has announced that it will impose additional sanctions on Russia, including measures to ban Russian coal. We have basically taken tough sanctions against Russia in cooperation with the international community, including the G7, to this date. We will continue to make appropriate decisions regarding the necessary response to show Japan’s tough stance in cooperation with the international community, including the G7.

Reporter: About the economic sanctions just mentioned, I believe that Japan will impose new economic sanctions going forward. What effects do you think this will have on the Japanese economy?

Minister Hayashi: Well, as I stated before, Japan has already been imposing tough economic sanctions. Prime Minister Kishida has asked for the understanding of the people of Japan as he cannot say that there will not be any effect in Japan. At the same time, he also stated that we are considering countermeasures without excluding any options regarding matters such as the steep increase in the price of gasoline. As I stated before, we will continue to make appropriate decisions in cooperation with the international community, and firmly consider what I have just mentioned.

Reporter: Concerning the resolution to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council that you mentioned in your opening remarks, the resolution was passed with the support of 93 countries, opposition by 24 countries, and abstention by 58 countries, which I believe shows that Russia is not necessarily alone in the international community. What are your thoughts on this result?

Minister Hayashi: Well, I believe that there were probably fewer supporting votes compared to UNGA resolutions regarding humanitarian situations. The specific result of this resolution was to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council, and I believe it showed the extremely serious will of the international community. I believe this cannot be compared simply to the two prior United Nations resolutions. Japan will continue to closely cooperate with the international community, including the G7. We will actively contribute to the United Nations based on our basic positions.

Reporter: You explained Japan’s acceptance of evacuees and humanitarian assistance initiatives during the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. What are your thoughts on how various countries reacted?

Minister Hayashi: Well, during the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I explained that Japan has decided to provide a total of $200 million in emergency humanitarian assistance, including the already announced $100 million as well as an additional $100 million, to Ukraine as well as neighboring countries such as Moldova. I also pointed out that it is important to deal with the issue of food security both within Ukraine as well as in other regions. I also stated that Japan is promoting acceptance of evacuees and introduced that I recently returned to Japan from Poland along with evacuees that were accepted by Japan. The various countries stated that they highly appreciate such support from Japan.

Reporter: There was a question earlier about your statement regarding China during the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. In relation to that, how did the various countries react to your statement, including after the meeting? Was there shared recognition in general at the meeting that China’s stance on Russia poses a common threat to Europe and the Indo-Pacific region?

Minister Hayashi: As is true for both the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as well as the G7, although I can speak to a certain extent about what I personally stated during such meetings, I basically cannot speak about what statements were made by other participants. I would thus like to refrain from answering what was generally stated at the NATO meeting.

Reporter: I believe you have had a considerably exceptional tough schedule as you visited the evacuees in Poland and engaged in a series of diplomatic activities so far. Please tell us your frank impressions now that your schedule from Poland to Brussels has ended.

Minister Hayashi: I was able to speak here and in various meetings about my meetings with Foreign Minister Kuleba in Warsaw as well as here, my various observations in Poland, and the knowledge I gained from discussions with international organizations. I was also able to share such experiences during my bilateral meetings. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is absolutely unforgivable. Amidst the hectic changes in the daily situation, I believe that my visit to Poland was ultimately very beneficial as I was able to have very timely discussions with various people because the schedule timing was so close to my visit to Brussels. That being said, I do not always have such a schedule. The Minister of Justice suddenly became unable to come. However, I believe that my visit to Brussels has ultimately been very meaningful.