Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have three announcements at the outset.

First, if circumstances permit, under the instructions of Prime Minister Kishida, I will be visiting Egypt from October 20 to 22 to attend the Cairo Summit for Peace, which will be hosted by the Government of Egypt on the 21st, to discuss the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine.

Regarding the situation, the Government of Japan has unequivocally condemned the terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, and has consistently taken the position that prioritizes: firstly, the immediate release of hostages and securing the safety of civilians; secondly, all the parties acting based on international law; and thirdly, calming down the situation as soon as possible.

I myself have held telephone talks with Arab countries, including Israel and Palestine, and Iran, and I have been working proactively towards calming down the situation as soon as possible in close cooperation with G7 members and others.

During my visit to Egypt, as part of these diplomatic efforts and in accordance with Japan’s position, I will contribute to the discussion towards ensuring security for civilians and calming down the situation as soon as possible, including improvement of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, which is a pressing issue.

Minister Kamikawa: Second, as the situation in Israel and Palestine grows ever more tense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is giving top priority to ensuring the safety of Japanese citizens in Israel and Palestine.

Under these circumstances, 83 people in total, comprised of 60 Japanese citizens, 4 family members of foreign nationalities, 18 citizens of the Republic of Korea (ROK), and 1 family member of foreign nationality, left Israel on a SDF aircraft in the early hours of today. They are expected to arrive at Haneda Airport in the early hours of October 21.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Park Jin of the ROK and I had recently concurred on cooperation and helping each other in enabling our respective peoples to leave the country, and I am glad that we were able to cooperate in this manner.

Since immediately after the terror attack was launched by Palestinian militants, MOFA has been taking various measures to do everything possible to ensure the safety of Japanese people in Israel and the Gaza Strip. These include, for example, confirming the safety of Japanese people, alerting Japanese people and revising our Travel advice and Warning, and helping Japanese people leave Israel through chartered flights.

The situation on the ground is very fluid. The Government will continue to do its utmost to ensure the safety of Japanese people.

Minister Kamikawa: The third announcement is that, yesterday, October 19, I received a courtesy call by the ASEAN Committee in Tokyo (ACT) as part of my outreach diplomacy in Japan. I held a fruitful exchange of views in a very nice atmosphere at this highly opportune time, having just visited Southeast Asia.

The ACT members spoke highly of the cooperation between Japan and ASEAN to date, including Japan’s support for ASEAN centrality and unity. They also expressed their high expectations that Japan-ASEAN relations and bilateral relations will be further strengthened in a wide range of areas on the occasion of the Commemorative Summit.

That is all for my three announcements.

Kyodo News, Katsurada: I would like to ask about your visit to Egypt, which you mentioned in your opening remarks. Japan relies on the Middle East for approximately 90% of its crude oil imports. As the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine deteriorates, please tell us again what Japan’s approach is to Arab countries, including Egypt.

Minister Kamikawa: The Middle East region has significant potential. It is not only rich in energy resources but is also located in critical sea lanes. Japan relies on the Middle East for approximately 90% of its crude oil imports. Peace and stability in the region are crucial from the perspective of energy security.

In light of such aspects, Japan has contributed significantly to peace and stability in the Middle East through various efforts, such as providing official development assistance (ODA), sending SDF personnel, and promoting dialogue.

Regarding the recent development, there have already been numerous deaths and injuries in the Gaza Strip and neighboring regions. Local tensions are heightening rapidly and the situation remains totally unpredictable. The Government of Japan is paying close attention to the situation with deep concern.

Considering the constantly evolving situation on the ground, Japan will continue to communicate with Arab countries, including Egypt, and take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese people. At the same time, Japan will continue its diplomatic efforts towards calming down the situation as soon as possible and improving the humanitarian situation.

Furthermore, leveraging the favorable relationships we have built with Middle Eastern countries and working with the countries concerned, including the United States, Japan will engage in proactive diplomacy to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and stabilize the situation, as well as ensure a stable energy supply.

Asahi Shimbun, Matsuyama: I have a question on the situation surrounding Israel. Israel has cut off water, electricity, and food supplies to the Gaza Strip, part of the Palestinian Territories, and the area continues to be under a complete blockade. Furthermore, the Israeli military ordered 1.1 million people in northern Gaza to evacuate to the south in a short period of time. There is growing criticism that such actions by Israel go beyond both the realm of self-defense and the scope of international law. You yourself mentioned earlier that all the parties must comply with international law. What is your assessment of Israel’s actions? What position will Japan be taking vis-à-vis the international community?

Minister Kamikawa: In the Gaza Strip and neighboring regions, there have already been numerous deaths and injuries. The local urgency and tensions are heightening rapidly and the situation remains totally unpredictable. The Government of Japan is paying close attention to the situation with deep concern.

The Government of Japan has unequivocally condemned the recent terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, and has responded based on a consistent position that prioritizes: firstly, the immediate release of people being held hostage and securing the safety of civilians; secondly, all the parties acting based on international law; and thirdly, calming down the situation as soon as possible.

With Israel, I held a telephone talk with Foreign Minister Cohen on October 12. In addition, on October 16, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuji held a meeting with the Ambassador of Israel to Japan. State Minister Tsuji stated that the protection of innocent civilians is important, and all parties need to act in line with international humanitarian law. He requested cooperation to ensure humanitarian access so that necessary assistance will be delivered to civilians.

That being said, Japan is not a direct party and does not have sufficient awareness of the detailed situation. Therefore, we would like to refrain from making any definitive legal assessment.

In any case, considering the constantly evolving situation on the ground, Japan will continue to communicate with the countries concerned and take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese people. At the same time, Japan will continue its diplomatic efforts towards calming down the situation as soon as possible and improving the humanitarian situation.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: Thank you. I’m Azhari, Pan Orient News. My question is why did Japan veto the initial draft resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza at the UN security council three days ago. This might give the impression of supporting the war. Please explain the Japan’s position? Thank you.

Minister Kamikawa: The UNSC met in the morning of October 17, or in the afternoon of October 16, New York time. The UNSC rejected a resolution proposed by Russia on the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine.

Japan voted against the draft resolution as it was submitted hastily without adequate discussion among the members and lacked balanced content.

On the other hand, Japan voted in favor of a resolution proposed by Brazil that was submitted for adoption by the UNSC in the evening of October 18, as Japan supports most of the text in view of the humanitarian situation on the ground in Gaza and other factors.

Considering the constantly evolving local situation, the Government will continue to cooperate with the international community and make proactive efforts, including urging the parties concerned, to calm down the situation as soon as possible.

Niigata Nippo, Saito: I would like to ask about the “Sado Island Gold Mines,” which Japan hopes will be inscribed on the World Heritage List. Yesterday and the day before yesterday, the Mayor of Sado City and other parties concerned visited Tokyo and made rounds to request cooperation for the inscription. Niigata Prefecture and Sado City initially announced that the delegation would be meeting with you. However, the meeting was suddenly cancelled, raising various speculations among the parties concerned in the prefecture. Please explain the background behind the cancellation and its reason. Please also share with us again how MOFA intends to seek inscription on the World Heritage List.

Minister Kamikawa: The current situation in the Middle East is severe and changing constantly, and we are responding to the situation as needed. In this sense, my schedule has become extremely demanding, and therefore, my meeting with the Mayor of Sado City could not be realized at short notice. Therefore, I asked Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Okano to attend on my behalf.

In any case, the Government will continue to work collectively in close cooperation with relevant municipalities to realize the inscription of the “Sado Island Gold Mines” on the World Heritage List. Nothing has changed this policy. MOFA, for its part, will make utmost efforts focused on diplomacy.

Hokkaido Shimbun, Araya: I have a question concerning the situation in the Middle East. You recently met with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and you stated that the two of you concurred on the importance of Women, Peace and Security (WPS) in discussing regional issues. A conflict is unfolding at this very moment. Please tell us what measures you hope to take from the perspective of WPS in the Middle East.

Minister Kamikawa: WPS is based on the concept that we can move closer to sustaining peace by having women actively participate as leaders in conflict resolution, reconstruction and peacebuilding while also protecting and helping women and girls.

At my recent meeting with former U.S. Secretary Hillary Clinton, I explained that I have been engaged in this issue since before I became Foreign Minister, including establishing a parliamentary league, and underscored the importance of further strengthening efforts on WPS, to which former Secretary Clinton expressed her support.

In times of conflict, those particularly affected are people in vulnerable positions, such as women and children. Regarding the current situation surrounding Israel and Palestine, Japan will consider the perspectives of women and WPS and collaborate with organizations concerned in providing support for calming down the situation as soon as possible and improving the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.