Press Conferences

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: My visit to Singapore and Malaysia marks the first by a Japanese Foreign Minister in two years and two months. As the regional and international situations become more severe, I held candid exchanges of views with government dignitaries of both Singapore and Malaysia, which are Japan’s important regional partners, with the aim of further deepening of bilateral relations and strengthening of coordination on regional and international issues.

First, during my candid discussions with Prime Minister Lee and Foreign Minister Balakrishnan of Singapore and with Foreign Minister Saifuddin of Malaysia, I expressed Japan’s intention to promote cooperation toward realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).” In addition, as next year marks the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, I expressed Japan’s desire to strengthen coordination with the two countries towards the 50th Year. Both countries responded positively that they intend to further enhance their relations with Japan.

Regarding Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, I stated that the aggression, including the purported “referenda” in regions in Ukraine and the purported “incorporation” of these regions by Russia, constitutes a violation of international law and shall never be recognized. We confirmed to coordinate on our responses to the situation in Ukraine.

Regarding North Korea, ballistic missiles were launched again today. North Korea has been launching ballistic missiles at an extremely high frequency, seven times in the short span since the end of September, including the one flew over Japan on the 4th. The launches pose a serious and imminent threat to the security of Japan and the region and are a clear and serious challenge to the international community. It is totally unacceptable. Japan has lodged a serious protest and strongly condemned North Korea. During my visit, I raised the issue of our response to North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issue and the abductions issue, and we agreed to continue coordinating our responses.

Regarding the situation in the East and South China Seas, I expressed Japan’s strong opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo by force and shared our serious concern. We also discussed other regional and international issues, such as the situation in Myanmar, maintaining the high standard of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and strengthening the functions of the United Nations (UN) including reforming the Security Council, and confirmed to enhance our cooperation on these issues.

With regard to bilateral relations, both foreign ministers and I agreed to further deepen our cooperation in wide-ranging areas, including bilateral security cooperation, economy, energy, climate change, and people-to-people exchanges. In particular, Prime Minister Lee and the two foreign ministers welcomed the easing of Japan’s border measures to be implemented from October 11. We confirmed to further deepen our mutual understanding through people-to-people exchanges.

In addition, in Singapore, I held informal talks with Mr. Tharman, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and experts on regional and international affairs. We held extensive discussions on the economy, the regional situation, among other matters.

In Malaysia, with which our diplomatic relations mark the 65th anniversary this year, I held a meeting with Y.B. Dato’ Seri Azmin Ali, Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry. We confirmed to cooperate on further advancing the Look East Policy, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Furthermore, I visited the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), which was established with the ODA loan and other assistance of the Government of Japan and held informal talks with those who have previously studied in Japan.

Lastly, I offered flowers at the Japanese cemeteries in the two countries and exchanged views with members of Japanese companies regarding economic relations and the business environment. I believe this was an extremely meaningful visit. That is all from me.

Reporter: I have a question regarding Japan’s cooperation with ASEAN. In light of the current international situation, including the situation in Ukraine and China’s maritime expansion, what are your thoughts on the importance of cooperation with ASEAN. How does Japan intend to work with ASEAN and its member states in addressing such situations?

Minister Hayashi: Japan cannot condone any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force. Maintaining and strengthening the international order based on the rule of law is essential for the stability and prosperity of the region and the international community. To realize this, it is essential that Japan collaborates with ASEAN, which is an important partner in the region.

Next year marks the historic milestone of 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. Japan will host a commemorative summit meeting, welcoming leaders of ASEAN member states, and intend to announce a future vision for Japan-ASEAN relations.

To this end, we intend to steadily deepen bilateral relations with the respective countries in a wide range of areas and jointly address regional and international issues. As I stated earlier, during this visit, I was able to hold frank and meaningful discussions regarding these points with government dignitaries of Singapore and Malaysia, experts, and others.

Reporter: In your opening statement, you briefly mentioned the significance of your visit to Singapore and Malaysia, two member states of ASEAN. Could you please elaborate this again?

Minister Hayashi: As I stated earlier, I am visiting Singapore and Malaysia for the first time since assuming office as Foreign Minister.

As the regional and international situations become even more severe, including Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities including the recent series of missile launches, and the situation in the East and South China Seas, I believe this visit has enabled us to further strengthen Japan’s bilateral relations with Singapore and Malaysia, which are important partners in the region, in a wide range of areas including the economy, security cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges, and deepen discussions on coordination for responding to issues facing the international community.

To reiterate, as next year marks the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, and as we begin to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, now is a great opportunity for further deepening cooperation between Japan and the ASEAN member states. We intend to revitalize visible bilateral relations, including people-to-people exchanges, and further enhance relations with ASEAN member states, including Singapore and Malaysia.

Reporter: I have a question about UN Security Council reform. You have been advocating the need for reforming the UN Security Council, and you discussed related initiatives in Singapore and Malaysia.

Please share your thoughts regarding the discussions you had with the two countries and how Japan intends to coordinate with other countries.

Minister Hayashi: As situations such as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine shake the foundations of the international order, it will become critical to strengthen the functions of the UN, including reforming the Security Council, in order to return once again to the vision and principles of the UN Charter and restore the credibility of the UN.

While Security Council reform has long been discussed at the UN, the present international situation calls for initiating actions toward realizing reform, rather than holding discussion for the sake of discussion. Even during the General Debate of the UN General Assembly session, many countries, including President Biden of the United States, and UN General Assembly President Kőrösi referred to the necessity of Security Council reform.

Including such recognition, Japan and the two countries affirmed our basic recognition and future cooperation during my candid discussions with Prime Minister Lee and Foreign Minister Balakrishnan of Singapore and with Foreign Minister Saifuddin of Malaysia. This was meaningful.

Regarding Security Council reform, it is true that there has not been significant progress due to considerable differences between the positions of each country. We will continue to make efforts to make progress at an early stage, while maintaining close communication with relevant countries.

Reporter: I have a question regarding North Korean missiles. As you stated, North Korea launched two missiles in the early morning on the 9th. During this overseas visit, you also discussed North Korean affairs with Singapore and Malaysia. Please tell us again the thoughts and future responses of the Government of Japan.

Minister Hayashi: North Korea has launched missiles repeatedly at an unprecedented frequency. Furthermore, North Korea launched a ballistic missile that flew over Japan for the first time in five years. In the short span since then, North Korea once again launched ballistic missiles. Such outrageous actions cannot be overlooked.

I explained such missile launches conducted by North Korea pose a serious and imminent threat to the security of Japan and the region and are a clear and serious challenge to the international community. During my respective meetings, we concurred to coordinate in dealing with North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issue and the abductions issue.

Future responses will be considered in coordination with the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK). We will take every possible measure, including Japan-U.S., Japan-ROK, and Japan-U.S.-ROK security cooperation.

Reporter: My question relates to the first question regarding the importance of ASEAN. ASEAN has compiled the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Could you please once again explain your view on ASEAN’s importance from the perspective of the Indo-Pacific for Japan, a country which aims to realize FOIP?

Minister Hayashi: ASEAN is an important partner in the region for FOIP. Japan cannot tolerate any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force. Maintaining and strengthening the international order based on the rule of law is essential for the stability of the region and the international community. To realize this, as I stated earlier, it is essential that Japan collaborates with ASEAN, which is an important partner in the Indo-Pacific region. To reiterate, next year marks the historic milestone of 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. Japan will host a commemorative summit meeting, welcoming leaders of ASEAN member states, and intend to announce a future vision for Japan-ASEAN relations. Japan hopes to steadily promote FOIP through such efforts.