Press Conferences

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have one announcement at the outset.
From March 27, online application procedures for passports, visas, and certificates will begin. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will also start some online payment procedures ahead of the launch of the service that will enable online payment of such consular fees by credit card.

To date, consular service users had to come to the counter during the daytime on weekdays to apply. However, depending on the nature of the application, service users will be able to apply online at any time, even at night or on holidays. This will significantly improve convenience for service users.

MOFA intends to gradually expand the scenes where online applications can be performed to further promote the digitization of consular services.

In addition, MOFA will establish the Consular Digitalization Promotion Division on April 1 as a digitalization hub.

For further details, please contact our staff.

That is all from me.

Jiji Press, Tanaka: I would like to ask about the recent Summit Meeting between Prime Minister Kishida and President Zelenskyy. The Government of Japan announced that at the meeting Prime Minister Kishida had presented a “hissho shamoji” (a wooden rice paddle from Hiroshima with a message written on it) to President Zelenskyy. In general, “hissho shamoji” is used today as a talisman for competitive situations such as sports competitions, exams, and elections. Some have pointed out that it was inappropriate for Prime Minister Kishida to give such a gift to a country at war under Russia’s aggression. Please tell us the background to the selection of “hissho shamoji” and the view of the Government of Japan on the opinion that the gift was inappropriate.

Minister Hayashi: For the recent visit to Ukraine, Prime Minister Kishida brought a gift to President Zelenskyy.

In addition to the “hissho shamoji” rice paddle from Hiroshima, I am aware that he also presented an osuna pottery lamp from Miyajima with a paper crane motif, which represents our wish for peace.

These gifts were selected with the intent to offer the utmost encouragement to President Zelenskyy who is confronting the Russian aggression against Ukraine, and to convey Japan’s wish for peace. Therefore, the opinion that describes the gift as inappropriate is irrelevant.

Mainichi Shimbun, Takeuchi: I would like to ask about the visit to Kyiv by Prime Minister Kishida. When Prime Minister Kishida was visiting Kyiv and having the Summit Meeting with President Zelenskyy, President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China visited Moscow and held a China-Russia Summit Meeting. With some Western media contrasting these two moves, different views between Japan and China regarding Russia’s aggression against Ukraine was emphasized. Could you tell us your opinion on this? In addition, please tell us about your view on the impact on diplomatic relations between Japan and China, including your visit to China, to which you have been invited by China.

Minister Hayashi: During Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Ukraine, he conveyed once again to the world the message that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundation of the international order, and that unilateral changes to the status quo by force will not be tolerated both in Ukraine and the rest of the world.

Meanwhile, I am aware that, during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia, the presidents of China and Russia did not mention the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine and other relevant matters in the joint press announcement.

Russia continues its attack on Ukraine, and there are no signs of any attempt by Russia to work towards peace, such as President Putin stating that the annexed Ukrainian regions are not applicable for negotiations.

Russia is committing the act of aggression, which is violating international law, in the first place. We consider that any solution must be based on this premise.

Japan continues to carefully monitor Russia’s and China’s actions including those related to the situation in Ukraine. At the same time, through various opportunities, we will continue to urge China to take responsible measures.

Regarding my visit to China, Japan-China relations have various forms of potential yet face many challenges and pending issues. At the same time, in the changing situation of the international community, both Japan and China have a great responsibility for the peace and prosperity of the region and the international community.

In terms of Japan-China relations, while maintaining the positive momentum obtained at the Japan-China Summit Meeting in November 2022, we will say what needs to be said and strongly call on China to act responsibly. Simultaneously, it is important that both sides make efforts to build constructive and stable Japan-China relations in which the two countries will thoroughly engage in dialogues, including those between the leaders of the two countries, and consider cooperation on common challenges including various concerns.

I have once again received an invitation to visit China from H.E. Mr. Qin Gang, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, and H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. We will continue to work on specific timing, taking various situations into consideration.

Kyodo News, Ueda: I would like to ask about Japan-ROK relations. Yesterday, you had a meeting with H.E. Mr. Kwon Youngse, Minister of Unification of the ROK. Following your meeting with Minister Kwon, during the meeting with Chief Cabinet Secretary Mr. MATSUNO Hirokazu, proposed establishing a regular consultation desk that would deal with human rights issues, including the abductions issue. Can you please tell us how the Government of Japan will respond to the proposal?

Minister Hayashi: I am aware that H.E. Mr. Kwon Youngse, Minister of Unification of the ROK, had a meeting with Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno, in addition to the one with myself. Minister Kwon expressed the intention to have consultations regarding the situation of North Korea at the working level between Japan and the ROK. The two countries agreed to continue close communication.

In any case, Japan will continue to cooperate closely with the ROK and other countries concerned to achieve the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.

NHK, Iwasawa: I would like to ask again about Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Ukraine. The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia expressed a view that Prime Minister Kishida’s recent visit to Kyiv aimed to divert the focus of the world from the Russia-China Summit Meeting. Please tell us about your thoughts on such a view by the Russian side.

Minister Hayashi: During Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Ukraine, he conveyed once again to the world the message that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundation of the international order, and that unilateral changes to the status quo by force will not be tolerated both in Ukraine and the rest of the world.

Meanwhile, I am aware that, during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia, the presidents of China and Russia did not mention the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine and other relevant matters in the joint press announcement.

Japan continues to carefully monitor Russia’s and China’s actions including those related to the situation in Ukraine. At the same time, we will continue to urge China to take responsible measures through various opportunities.

Asahi Shimbun, Takahashi: I would like to ask a question related to the one asked by Mainichi Shimbun. The recent China-Russia Summit Meeting was held on the same day as the Japan-Ukraine Summit Meeting, which re-emphasized the opposing positions between these two sides. Please tell us about your thoughts on the outlook on the improvement of Japan-China relations, including your visit to China, and whether any stagnation may occur.

Minister Hayashi: As I have already stated, Japan-China relations have various forms of potential yet face many challenges and pending issues. At the same time, in the changing situation of the international community, both Japan and China have a great responsibility for the peace and prosperity of the region and the international community.

This is exactly what I stated earlier that we consider it to be important that both sides make efforts to build constructive and stable Japan-China relations. This view remains the same.

Sankei Shimbun, Tanaka: I would like to ask about the issue of Taiwan. Honduras in Central America, which has diplomatic ties with Taiwan, is seeking to establish formal diplomatic relations with China, and it is reported that the foreign minister of Honduras is on his way to Beijing. First, please tell us about the reaction of the Government of Japan to this matter. Taiwan’s diplomatic space is shrinking due to diplomatic pressure from China. Could you clarify whether the Government of Japan intends to support Taiwan, and if so, what measures does the Government have in place?

Minister Hayashi: Regarding the situation in Honduras, from the perspectives of the cross-Strait relations and regional peace and stability, Japan is monitoring the situation with serious concern, including its future impact.

For Japan, Taiwan is an extremely important partner with whom we share fundamental values and enjoy a close economic relationship and people-to-people exchanges. Taiwan is also a precious friend to Japan.

Based on the stance of the Government of Japan, we regularly exchange views with the countries concerned. We have also conveyed Japan’s view repeatedly to the Government of Honduras at various levels.

I would like to refrain from commenting as the Government of Japan on the background to the recent development by the Government of Honduras.

As I have just stated, the Government of Japan has conveyed our view to the countries concerned at various levels based on the stance I have explained. Japan has consistently supported Taiwan’s observer status at the WHO assembly and will take a comprehensive approach to each international organization regarding the participation of Taiwan in international organizations, in light of the significance of Taiwan’s participation.