Press Conferences

Kyodo News, Ueda: I would like to ask about the midterm elections in the United States. The voting in the midterm elections will begin tonight, in Japan time. The opposition Republican Party is showing a momentum towards regaining a majority in the House of Representatives, and is aiming to gain a majority in the Senate. Please share us your view on how the election results will affect Japan-U.S. relations.

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I would like to refrain from commenting in detail on each and every matter concerning domestic elections in the United States.

If I were to say anything further, it would be that there is shared recognition of the importance of an unwavering Japan-U.S. Alliance, regardless of whether it is the Democratic or Republican Party. I do not believe that the election results will affect the importance of Japan-U.S. relations.

Mainichi Shimbun, Miyahara: I would like to ask about the International Group of Eminent Persons. Some reports suggested that coordination is underway to hold a meeting of the Group on December 10 and 11. Please tell us the status of coordination, including details such as the schedule and participants.

Minister Hayashi: The coordination is currently being finalized to hold a meeting of the International Group of Eminent Persons for a “World without Nuclear Weapons” in early December. In addition, the details of the first meeting, including the participating political leaders and experts, are being coordinated.

During the meeting of the International Group of Eminent Persons, I believe it is important for participants from both nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states to freely and actively discuss the specific path toward realizing a “world without nuclear weapons,” allowing them to share wisdom beyond the respective positions of their own countries, with the involvement of current and former political leaders of various countries. We will continue to make the necessary adjustments.

TBS, Nakamura: I would like to ask about COP27, which began on November 6 in Egypt. As the world faces an energy crisis against the backdrop of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, over 100 summit-level leaders, including President Biden of the United States, are expected to participate in COP27. How will MOFA participate in COP27, including participation by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs? Please also shareus your view on how Japan will take this opportunity to cooperate with various countries.

Minister Hayashi: We have not decided on an official visit by a Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs. Minister of the Environment Nishimura will participate as a representative of the Government of Japan, and Assistant Vice-Minister and Director-General for Global Issues AKAHORI and others at the director-general level are scheduled to participate from MOFA.

I believe that the issue of climate change is a crisis shared by humanity, and is an important issue that the entire international community should address together At COP27, Japan will actively contribute to strengthening the implementation of climate change countermeasures based on the outcomes of COP26; specifically, the realization of strengthening the implementation of mitigation measures towards the 1.5℃ goal based on the latest scientific knowledge.

In addition, in responding to the effects of climate change, discussions on adaptation and loss and damage-related initiatives are also important. Japan will aim to strengthen climate change countermeasures around the world by sharing the knowledge and experience of the initiatives we have been implementing.

Japan will closely cooperate with other signatory countries, including the COP27 President Egypt, and aim for balanced, ambitious outcomes on the topics such as mitigation, adaptation, loss, and damage.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: Question is about the sanctions in general. The sanctions adopted against the certain countries have not been effective in bringing these countries to their knees as hopes, by those who applied it. For example, despite sanctions against Russia, Russia still is an effective player globally and other sanctions destroy the infrastructure of some countries and didn’t lead to any change in their policies. Would Japan still believe in the effectiveness of sanctions to solve international disputes like the one between Russia and Ukraine? Thank you.

Minister Hayashi: Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an attempt to change the status quo by force, and is an outrageous act that undermines the very foundation of the international order, not only in Europe but also in Asia. I believe it is important to show that such actions come with a heavy price.

In close cooperation with the international community, including the G7, Japan swiftly implemented robust sanctions, including sanctions against individuals, entities, and others; sanctions in the finance field including freezing bank assets; and export and import ban measures. I believe that this has led to certain results, such as a reduction in the amount of weapons production due to a shortage of semiconductors and other factors.

Furthermore, although Russia claims that the sanctions have had serious effects on the global economy, including increasing prices and shortages of food and energy supplies, these sanctions against Russia do not target food and the like. It is clear that these effects are caused by Russia’s aggression.

Japan will continue to cooperate with the international community, including the G7, to implement robust sanctions so that Russia will immediately stop its aggression.

TV Asahi, Sawai: I would like to ask about coordinated actions by Iran and Russia. Last week, the Foreign Minister of Iran suddenly changed its position and admitted the provision of drones to Russia. It is also reported that Iran has been coordinating with Russia over nuclear development. In the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement, that you attended, it states that the G7 will continue to impose economic costs on countries providing military support for Russia’s war of aggression. Does the Government of Japan intend to impose further sanctions against Iran?

Minister Hayashi: Japan takes it extremely seriously that many civilians have been killed or injured in many parts of Ukraine as a result of attacks by Russia that are believed to be carried out by Iranian-made drones.

At the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the ministers shared the view on requesting Iran to immediately stop all forms of support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Japan again strongly condemns Iran’s provision of drones to Russia.

Japan has taken all opportunities, including the Japan-Iran Summit Meeting held in September, to exchange views with Iran onthe situation in Ukraine and urge Iran to play a constructive role toward the peace and stability of the region and the international community. We will continue such initiatives in the future.

I would like to refrain from answering based on speculation about sanctions against Iran at this point. I believe it will be necessary to take various points into consideration.

TBS, Nakamura: I would like to confirm one point with regard to your earlier answer about COP27. You mentioned that consideration is underway for Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Akimoto to participate from MOFA. When you speak of consideration, does it include this point as well?

Minister Hayashi: As I stated earlier, we have not decided on an official visit by a Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs from MOFA.