Press Conferences

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

First, on October 21, I attended the Cairo Summit for Peace, which was held in Egypt, as the only minister from East Asia. Regarding the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine, which is growing more intense by the minute, I unequivocally condemned the terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, and clearly stated that Japan has 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.

In addition, regarding the response to the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, the most imminent challenge now, I urged the importance of efforts to (1) deliver necessary assistance to the people in the Gaza Strip as early as possible, and (2) realize evacuation of foreign citizens who still remain in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, I also stressed that the window of opportunity for the Middle East Peace should not be shut due to the current situation, from mid- and long-term perspectives, and that Japan’s position to support a “two-state solution” is unwavering.

Moreover, I exchanged views with President El-Sisi of Egypt, President Abbas of Palestine, Foreign Secretary Cleverly of the UK, Foreign Minister Colonna of France, Foreign Minister Joly of Canada, and others respectively. I concurred with them on the importance of calming down the situation, and communicating closely toward improvement of the humanitarian situation on the ground.

I have reaffirmed how urgent the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine is for each country and the international community. Japan will firmly make efforts while building on the discussions at this summit.

Minister Kamikawa: Second, I announced that Japan will extend Emergency Humanitarian Assistance in response to the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, at the press conference in October 17.

I also stated that Japan will extend Emergency Humanitarian Assistance in the amount of 10 million US dollars in the Cabinet meeting. Specifically, Japan will provide aid through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the amount of 7 million US dollars and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the amount of 3 million US dollars, in areas such as food, water and medical care.

As I urged the international community at the Cairo Summit for Peace on October 21, the most imminent challenge now is delivering necessary assistance to the people in the Gaza Strip as early as possible. Japan will keep on engaging vigorously with the parties concerned, as well as providing assistance based on the needs on the ground in a timely manner, while cooperating with various countries and international organizations.

Minister Kamikawa: Third, today I took the opportunity of Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, visiting Japan to hold the lighting ceremony of the countdown board showing the number of days until the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

There are 53 days to go before the Commemorative Summit. Japan will continue to work closely with ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretariat towards jointly setting out a new vision for cooperation at the Commemorative Summit.

That is all from me.

Asahi Shimbun, Matsuyama: I would like to ask about the situation surrounding Israel and Hamas. You have held telephone talks with other G7 foreign ministers and called for close coordination with the G7 towards, for example, calming down the situation as soon as possible, improving the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and evacuating their nationals to date.

On the other hand, on October 23, yesterday, the six countries other than Japan issued a joint statement that reiterated their support for Israel and acknowledged its right to defend itself. What is Japan’s reaction to the fact that the six countries other than Japan issued such a joint statement? Amid escalating Israeli retaliation, do you believe the joint statement emphasizing Israel’s right to self-defense was appropriate?

Furthermore, you just mentioned that Japan supports a “two-state solution” while the West is notably siding with Israel. Please tell us how Japan intends to achieve a balance with other countries and carry out diplomacy in the Middle East region.

Minister Kamikawa: Regarding the joint statement, in relation to your first question, the international community has been discussing and expressing its position on Middle East issues through various frameworks so far. We understand that the joint statement was issued through one of these frameworks, separate from the G7. In this manner, the international community has always coordinated and cooperated in various ways according to the prevailing circumstances and the situation each country faces.

Second, regarding our assessment of the leaders’ statement, we will refrain from providing a specific assessment of joint statements issued by third countries. We understand that the joint statement contains the messages that Japan has consistently advocated, such as ensuring humanitarian access, the immediate release of hostages, and adherence to international law.

In relation to your third question, in light of the constantly changing situation on the ground, Japan is continuing diplomatic efforts to calm down the situation as soon as possible and improve the humanitarian situation, while taking all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese people in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

From this point of view, on October 21, I attended the Cairo Summit for Peace and firmly showcased Japan’s presence.

In addition, Prime Minister Kishida and I have held telephone talks with Arab countries, various European countries, and other parties, and we have confirmed cooperation on calming down the situation as soon as possible and improving the humanitarian situation.

The issues surrounding the Middle East situation are complexly entwined with religion, ethnicity, and history and are not easy to resolve. Japan has been pursuing the Middle East diplomacy in communication with all Middle Eastern countries. Against this backdrop, what is crucial now is to keep in mind this broader diplomatic context in unequivocally condemning the terror attacks by Hamas and others, and as I stated earlier, seeking: 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.

Japan, as the G7 Presidency, will continue to coordinate with the G7 members as well as communicate with the countries concerned, including Arab countries, in undertaking diplomatic efforts one by one.

NHK, Igarashi: My question is on the situation in Israel and Palestine. Hamas, which effectively controls the Gaza Strip, announced on October 23 that they released two more hostages. Please share with us your reaction. Additionally, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly will be holding an emergency special session on the 26th regarding the military conflict between the Israeli military and Hamas. This will be the first emergency special session on the situation in Palestine in nearly five years, since 2018. Could you tell us about Japan’s approach to the emergency special session?

Minister Kamikawa: On the first question, we are aware that, following the release of two American hostages on October 20, Hamas released two Israeli women on the 23rd, local time. However, according to announcements from the Israeli military and other information, many people are still being held hostage by Hamas and others.

The Government of Japan has unequivocally condemned the terror attacks by Hamas and others, and has taken the consistent 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. We will reiterate our call for the immediate release of hostages. Furthermore, we will continue to coordinate with other countries in undertaking diplomatic efforts one by one towards calming down the situation.

As for your second question, we are aware that a UN General Assembly emergency special session on the situation in Israel and Palestine is scheduled to take place on October 26, New York time. At the UN and other fora, Japan has unequivocally condemned the terror attacks by Hamas and others, and has consistently advocated our 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.

At present, Japan and other countries, including the United States, are undertaking a range of diplomatic efforts one by one, both bilaterally and multilaterally. In this context, we recognize the importance of the upcoming emergency special session of the UN General Assembly, which will bring together countries from around the world. Japan will actively participate in this session to ensure that it contributes to calming down the situation.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: I’m Azhari, Pan Orient News. According to a Syrian official and other media reports, Israel has committed a terrorist and criminal bombing attack on the 2 main civilian airports in Syria that led to casualty of civilians. 2 airports in Aleppo and Damascus, the capital were destroyed, and are out of service as of now. Will Japan condemn this Israeli terrorist and criminal attack on this civilian airport and the honest sovereign state?

Minister Kamikawa: We are aware of Syria’s announcement. We also understand that Israel has not commented so far, including whether it conducted the attacks.

In any case, Japan will continue to pay close attention to the overall situation in the Middle East, including the situation in Israel and Palestine, which remains totally unpredictable. In addition, we intend to make ongoing diplomatic efforts towards calming down the situation as soon as possible, in close coordination with the countries concerned.

Anadolu Agency, Furkan: Turkish Anadolu News Agency, this is Furkan. In your statement in the Cairo conference, you also expressed the sensitivities of Japanese government towards Israel and towards Hamas. Of course we do not take size in which civilians are killed. In the statement, Japanese government condemns the parties to the crisis. In the statement, Japanese government condemns the attacks on civilians by Hamas and others, and similar expressions are used. Did Japanese government condemn Hamas which attacks Israeli civilians, it is directly condemned, but Japanese government doesn't condemn Israeli army which attacks Palestinian civilians. So what do you think about that? Thank you.

Minister Kamikawa: Ever since the recent attacks by Hamas and others began, Japan has consistently expressed clearly that, in particular, the attacks on, and kidnapping of, innocent civilians cannot be justified for any reason. Japan unequivocally condemns the recent terror attacks by Hamas and others.

That being said, while Japan does not have a legal system for legally designating terrorist organizations, we have, under the Cabinet Understanding of September 30, 2003, designated Hamas as subject to Japan’s asset freezing for terrorists and others, among other measures.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Yoda: I would like to ask about ambassadorial appointments. The appointments of ambassadors to China, the United States, and Russia were approved at today’s cabinet meeting. Please tell us the aim behind their appointment.

Minister Kamikawa: I would like to refrain from commenting on individual personnel decisions one by one. Personnel decisions are made based on the person’s abilities and achievements with the idea of appointing the right person to the right position.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the new ambassadors, will continue to exert all efforts to address a wide range of diplomatic issues.

Mainichi Shimbun, Kawaguchi: Regarding ambassadorial appointments, the ambassador to Russia will be replaced for the first time in eight years. May I ask again what skills you expect the new ambassador to demonstrate in conducting diplomacy with Russia, which has stalled due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and so on?

Minister Kamikawa: I would like to refrain from commenting on individual personnel decisions one by one. Personnel decisions are made based on the person’s abilities and achievements with the idea of appointing the right person to the right position.

That being said, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundation of the international order and is totally unacceptable.

To put an end to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine as soon as possible, Japan has been and will continue to coordinate with the international community, including the G7, in making efforts, such as imposing strong sanctions against Russia.

At the same time, with regard to matters that need to be addressed by Japan and Russia as neighboring countries, such as economic activities including the fishing industry, as well as matters related to maritime security, Japan will respond appropriately in the context of its foreign policy as a whole from the perspective of what will contribute to the national interests of Japan.

We also intend to adhere to the policy of resolving the Northern Territories issue and concluding a peace treaty.

Tribune News, Susilo: Good morning. I would like to ask when Ambassador Kanasugi will assume his post in China. In addition, it seems that the new Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia has been decided. Could you please tell us about the new ambassador?

Minister Kamikawa: The appointment of Ambassador MASAKI Yasushi, current Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the European Union, as the next Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia, was approved at today’s cabinet meeting. With this in mind, I announce that it was officially approved.