Press Conferences

NHK, Aoki: I would like to ask about a video uploaded to social media by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The video’s content is the Government of Ukraine expressing gratitude to countries that have supported Ukraine. However, it has been pointed out that Japan was not included. Please tell us your reaction to this and about the Government of Japan’s current response.

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Dignitaries from the Government of Ukraine, including President Zelenskyy, have repeatedly expressed gratitude for all of Japan’s support through now.

I am aware that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine made a tweet on April 25 with a message from a person related to the Ukrainian military saying, “I am sincerely grateful to our partners for the assistance and unwavering support in these hard times,” and a video that included about 30 countries.

We have received an explanation from Ukraine that this was an expression of gratitude to countries that have provided support in the context of weapons support. The Government of Ukraine expressed gratitude again for all the support Japan has provided until now, including humanitarian assistance, financial support, and defense equipment provision.

Asahi Shimbun, Nohira: I would like to ask about the Policy Consultation Delegation visit from the ROK. I believe that you received a courtesy call and had a working dinner with the Delegation yesterday. After hearing from the Delegation about President-elect Yoon’s view on Japan-ROK relations, what was your impression upon meeting with the Delegation? Moreover, what stance will Japan take in resolving the pending issues between Japan and the ROK?

Minister Hayashi: I received a courtesy call from the ROK-Japan Policy Consultation Delegation yesterday morning and held a working dinner with the Delegation that afternoon.

Regarding Japan-ROK relations, I stated that we need to develop our bilateral relations based on the foundation for our bilateral friendly cooperative relations that have been built up since the normalization of relations in 1965, that I have high expectations for the leadership of President-elect Yoon, and that we would like to cooperate closely with the new administration to improve Japan-ROK relations.

In response, the Delegation stated the ROK’s view on its basic position of wanting to improve Japan-ROK relations. We held a frank exchange of opinions, including about unresolved issues between Japan and the ROK. Additionally, we shared the view that Japan and the ROK will closely communicate under the new administration in the ROK.

Based on this discussion, I would like to continue to firmly communicate with the new administration in the ROK.

Mainichi Shimbun, Konno: In relation to this, please tell us the status of consideration on dispatching a special envoy to attend the inauguration ceremony of the President-elect of the ROK and the basic view on dispatching a special envoy.

Minister Hayashi: At this point, nothing specific has been decided about the Government of Japan’s response to the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Yoon.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: What is Japan’s position toward the countries that either supported Russia or took a neutral stance in the relation to the Ukrainian issue such as Belarus, India, Syria, etc? Did their stance impact the relations with Japan? I mean is Japan going to take the position that those who are not with us will be considered against us.

Minister Hayashi: From March to April 2022, the international community’s strong determination against Russia’s invasion was re-affirmed through the adoption of the resolution on “Aggression against Ukraine,” the resolution on “Humanitarian consequences of the aggression against Ukraine,” and the resolution on “Suspension of the rights of membership of the Russian Federation in the Human Rights Council” during the Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Some countries voted against the adoption of these resolutions. I believe that countries are making their own decisions on how they vote based on various circumstances.

Concerning bilateral relations with various countries, we consider comprehensively by taking into account various elements including cooperation in the international arena.

In any event, Japan believes it is important for the international community, including the G7, to take a united response so that Russia immediately stops its invasion and withdraws its forces. We will continue our persistent diplomatic efforts.

Kyodo News, Maeda: I would like to ask about the visit to the Solomon Islands by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Uesugi. A press release was just issued stating that Parliamentary Vice-Minister Uesugi, who was visiting the Solomon Islands, met with Prime Minister Sogavare today. The press release states that during the meeting, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Uesugi stated that Japan is monitoring with concern the situation of the security cooperation agreement between the Solomon Islands and China. What specific concerns were conveyed? In addition, did Prime Minister Sogavare provide any sort of explanation about the agreement?

Minister Hayashi: Parliamentary Vice-Minister Uesugi, who is visiting the Solomon Islands, paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Sogavare today on April 26. During the courtesy call, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Uesugi and Prime Minister Sogavare held a frank exchange of views in person on strengthening bilateral relations based on the traditionally friendly relations between Japan and the Solomon Islands, as well as about cooperation in the Pacific Islands region and the international arena. During their discussion about the security environment in the Pacific Islands region, they also spoke about the security cooperation agreement between China and the Solomon Islands.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Uesugi stated that the security cooperation agreement can affect the security of the entire Pacific region and that Japan is monitoring the situation with concern. Prime Minister Sogavare explained Solomon Islands’ position based on their view before of not planning to allow base construction by the Chinese military.

Jiji Press, Tanaka: I would like to ask about the delivery of supplies to countries neighboring Ukraine in response to the request by the UNHCR. Japan’s plan to deliver supplies using Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) aircraft passing through India that had been submitted to the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was refused by the Indian side. In response to this, today a plan to deliver the supplies without passing through India was submitted in the General Council deliberations. Please tell us the reason for the Indian side’s refusal. Please also tell us when you became aware of the Indian side’s refusal and why talks continued after that.

Minister Hayashi: The Government of Japan will continue to consider various forms of potential support, including the dispatch of SDF aircraft. However, nothing specific has been decided at this point about the dispatch of SDF aircraft.

I would like to refrain from answering about what kinds of talks we are having with which countries since this is diplomatic communication.

In any event, I believe it is important for the international community to take a united response against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Japan will continue to closely support Ukraine and its neighboring countries that are accepting evacuees in cooperation with the international community, including the G7.

Kyodo News, Maeda: I would like to ask about the San Francisco Peace Treaty. April 28 will mark the 70th anniversary of the entry into force of the San Francisco Peace Treaty. I believe that the former articles of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty entered into force at the same time. Firstly, please tell us your assessment of Japan-U.S. relations over the past 70 years as well as the future outlook. Moreover, there are still issues related to history, territory, and security remaining because Japan at the time chose to make a separate peace treaty that did not include the Soviet Union and China. Please tell us your opinion on the San Francisco System.

Minister Hayashi: Japan was able to recover sovereignty and return to the international community by accepting the San Francisco Peace Treaty. I recognize that the Treaty has provided the fundamental framework for the postwar order until today.

After World War II, Japan positioned the Japan-U.S. Alliance and international cooperation as the basis for its diplomacy, aimed at peace and prosperity of the region and the international community, and contributed to ensuring common benefits for the entire international community.

As we maintain and strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance, which is a linchpin of Japan’s diplomacy and security and the cornerstone of the peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region, last Saturday I visited the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Emanuel, and we confirmed the importance of strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance. Japan and the United States will continue to cooperate closely to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”

Chosun Ilbo, Choi: I would like to ask about the delegation from the ROK. What kind of exchange of views did you have during the meeting and dinner yesterday? Did you discuss various solutions for the unresolved issues between Japan and the ROK, such as historical issues?

Minister Hayashi: I received a courtesy call from the ROK-Japan Policy Consultation Delegation yesterday morning and held a working dinner with the Delegation that afternoon.

Regarding Japan-ROK relations, I stated that we need to develop our bilateral relations based on the foundation for our bilateral friendly cooperative relations that have been built up since the normalization of relations in 1965, that I have high expectations for the leadership of President-elect Yoon, and that we would like to cooperate closely with the new administration to improve Japan-ROK relations.

In response, the Delegation stated the ROK’s view on its basic position of wanting to improve Japan-ROK relations. We held a frank exchange of opinions, including about unresolved issues between Japan and the ROK. Additionally, we shared the view that Japan and the ROK will closely communicate under the new administration in the ROK.

Based on this discussion, I would like to continue to have firm communication with the new administration in the ROK.