Press Conferences

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

On April 15, the 8th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue will be held online. I will be chairing the meeting in which the Deputy Prime Minister and foreign ministers from the five Central Asian countries - Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan - will participate.

The “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue was launched by Japan in 2004, ahead of other countries, as a framework for dialogue and cooperation between Japan and the Central Asian countries. At the meeting, we will exchange views on sustainable development in the region with the Central Asian countries, which are partners that maintain and strengthen the international order based on the rule of law.

During this meeting, I will convey the position of Japan on the situation in Ukraine and also the situation in Afghanistan, and exchange views with other participants while reconfirming the cooperation between the Central Asian countries and Japan. In addition, I will take this opportunity to reaffirm the continued solidarity between Central Asia and Japan, as this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. That is all from me.

NHK, Aoki: I would like to ask a question in relation to the announcement that has just been given. I believe that your visit to Central Asian countries or Mongolia is being considered and coordinated. Could you tell us your current view on the significance of diplomacy with each of these countries, based on the recent international situation?

Minister Hayashi: Although there is no finalized plan for my foreign visits, I would like to mention a few things. As I have mentioned earlier, in 2004, Japan, ahead of other countries, launched the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue as a framework for dialogue and cooperation between Japan and Central Asia, which is located at a geographically important strategic point connecting East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Russia. Japan has been promoting diplomacy with Central Asia through various exchanges with the region in order to contribute to global peace and stability. In addition, as I stated earlier, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Central Asian countries and Japan.

In light of the recent international situation, the Government of Japan will continue to work on strengthening cooperation with the Central Asian countries as partners in building a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Yoda: Yesterday, the Russian Pacific Fleet conducted a military exercise in the Sea of Japan and two submarines launched cruise missiles. Please tell us your reaction to this.

Minister Hayashi: I am aware of the announcement regarding the incident that you have just pointed out.

The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine is an act that undermines the foundation of the international order, and the Government of Japan has strongly condemned it. In this situation, we should refrain from conducting activities that raise tensions in Northeast Asia. From this perspective, we consider that the current activities of the Russian Armed Forces are a matter of strong concern.

On April 14, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expressed these concerns to the Russian side through diplomatic channels.

Sankei Shimbun, Sugimoto: I would like to ask about the G20 and other multilateral meetings. Some countries refuse Russia’s participation in the G20 Summit or have announced their absence from the meeting if Russia participates in it. There are also many other multilateral frameworks that include Russia apart from the G20, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the East Asia Summit (EAS). Does the Government of Japan have any intention to refuse the attendance of Russia at the G20 and other similar meetings? In addition, please tell us if there are any points to take note of or consider when deciding, for example, whether or not to demand the removal of Russia from the G20 and other meetings.

Minister Hayashi: Next week, G20 Finance Ministers Meeting will be held. Due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the international community considers that it is no longer possible to maintain the same relationship with Russia that it has had to date.

At the recent G7 Summit, the member countries agreed that we should no longer conduct any activities with Russia as we have before at the international organizations and multilateral forums that have just been mentioned.

Regarding Russia’s participation in the G20 meeting, the Government of Japan will respond appropriately based fully on the situation going forward, while discussing with Indonesia, the current G20 president, and other G20 member states.

Sankei Shimbun, Sugimoto: My question is also related to the G20. In that case, for example with the G20, do you mean that Japan as a member of the G7 will approach Indonesia, which holds the G20 presidency, with a stance of being against Russia’s absence?

Minister Hayashi: Did you mean that Japan would not approve of Russia’s attendance, not their absence?

Sankei Shimbun, Sugimoto: Yes, on Russia’s attendance.

Minister Hayashi: Regarding Russia’s participation in international meetings including G20 meetings, the Government of Japan will respond appropriately while discussing with the countries holding the presidency of the respective meetings and like-minded countries in light of the relevant situation going forward.

TV Asahi, Sawai: Mainly among European countries, such as Italy and France, there are moves to return their temporarily relocated embassies to the capital Kyiv.

Minister Hayashi: Are you asking about Ukraine?

TV Asahi, Sawai: My apologies, I would like to ask about the situation in Ukraine and about a trend. On the other hand, the Russian Ministry of Defence warns that Russia might attack the facilities, including those in Kyiv again. In this situation, please tell us if the Government of Japan intends to move its temporarily relocated embassy back to the capital of Ukraine? I would like to ask one more question. British Prime Minister Johnson made a surprise visit to Kyiv, and the United States is currently showing its intention to have high-level officials from the U.S. government visit the capital Kyiv. Could you tell us if the Government of Japan may also send an official to visit Kyiv?

Minister Hayashi: I am aware of the announcement by the Government of France on the resumption of its embassy duties in Kyiv. I am also aware that currently Russia is continuing its attack in various areas in Ukraine, engaging in atrocities that include the killing of many innocent civilians, and that Russia is also suggesting an attack on the center of Kyiv.

The Government of Japan is conducting information gathering on the situation in Ukraine. At the same time, using the Embassy of Japan in Poland and the Rzeszów liaison office as its bases, the government is also making utmost efforts to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals residing in Ukraine and provide support to leave Ukraine. We will continue to respond as appropriate while paying constant attention to the situation in Ukraine and closely cooperating with the relevant countries.

Regarding the second question about the dispatch of government officials, at this point, nothing has been decided, but we understand that we will need to respond appropriately based on the situation in Ukraine and in coordination with the G7.

Chugoku Shimbun, Higuchi: It has been reported that the United States conducted subcritical nuclear tests twice in 2021, although they did not involve actual nuclear explosions. This has revealed the plan of the United States to advance the modernization of nuclear weapons. Please tell us the reaction of the Government of Japan as the only country to have suffered atomic bombings.

Minister Hayashi: I am aware of the reports concerning this matter. However, I would like to refrain from commenting on it, since I am not in the position to explain the activities conducted by the Government of the United States.

If I were to say anything further, Japan is the only country that has suffered atomic bombings, as you have just mentioned, and we will continue to work with determination in our efforts toward realizing a world without nuclear weapons.

At the Japan-U.S. Summit Video Teleconference Meeting in January, Prime Minister Kishida illustrated his idea of nuclear disarmament grounded in realism, to which President Biden expressed his support. The two leaders reaffirmed that Japan and the United States would work together to realize a world without nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, in view of the increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan, we consider that the deterrence, including nuclear deterrence, of the United States, will continue to be essential to the security of Japan.

The Government of Japan will continue to promote realistic initiatives based on our mutual trust with the United States.

Kyodo News, Maeda: I would like to ask about Japan-ROK relations. The inauguration ceremony of Mr. Yoon Suk-yeol, President-elect of the ROK, will take place in less than one month. Amidst the situation in which Japan-ROK relations are described as the worst since the end of the war, what is your view on the expectations for improving the bilateral relations with the next president of the ROK? Could you also tell us the current state of considerations regarding the dispatch of a government official to the president’s inauguration ceremony?

Minister Hayashi: When the international community is confronted with epoch-making changes, sound Japan-ROK relations are indispensable in realizing a rules-based international order and ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

We also understand that dialogues with North Korea and Japan-ROK-U.S. trilateral coordination are important as we are in a situation where North Korea is more actively engaging in the development of nuclear weapons and missiles, including the recent launch of ICBM-class ballistic missiles.

Japan-ROK relations need to be developed based on the foundation of our friendly and cooperative relationship that has been built since the normalization of our diplomatic ties in 1965. In this regard, the Government of Japan has expectations for President-elect Yoon’s leadership.

No specific schedule has been decided at this point concerning official visits and meetings between Japan and the ROK, including the schedule for the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Yoon. However, the Government of Japan intends to communicate with President-elect Yoon and his new administration in a timely and appropriate manner to improve the bilateral relations.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Yoda: It has been exactly one week since MOFA made the announcement regarding the expulsion of Russian diplomats in Japan. What is the latest situation in terms of the departure of these people? In addition, there is a possibility that Russia will take retaliatory measures or countermeasures against Japan’s decision. If that is the case, would you see any impact on the duties of the Embassy of Japan in Moscow?

Minister Hayashi: Based on the current situation in Ukraine, as a result of Japan’s comprehensive consideration, we decided to request that eight people, consisting of diplomats of the Embassy of Russia in Japan and personnel of the Russian trade representative, leave Japan. On April 8, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Mori announced this to Russian Ambassador to Japan Galuzin.

Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Mori conveyed the deadline for departure to Ambassador Galuzin. However, I would like to refrain from speaking about the details. Also, at this point, I would like to refrain from answering about whether the eight people who were requested to leave Japan have already done so.

In response to Japan’s decision on the expulsion of Russian diplomats and personnel, the spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Russia would take countermeasures accordingly. On the other hand, the details of the response are not clear. Therefore, I would like to refrain from answering based on speculation regarding the responses by the Russian side from now on.

As you are aware, Russia has decided to expel diplomats of the countries that have decided to expel Russian diplomats from their countries in the same manner. Regardless of the responses taken by Russia, the Government of Japan will continue to exert all efforts to ensure the protection of Japanese nationals and corporate activities in Russia.