Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have an announcement at the outset.

I will be attending the G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Osaka-Sakai, which will be held from tomorrow, October 28, to 29, under Japan’s G7 Presidency. The Meeting will be co-chaired with Mr. Nishimura, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The international community is now at a historical inflection point. There are accumulating issues that require global efforts to resolve, including the increasingly tense situation surrounding Israel and Palestine, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the pandemic, and climate change.

The G7 members, which share universal values such as freedom, democracy, respect for fundamental human rights, and the rule of law, have a responsible role to play in guiding the international community towards the sustainable growth of the global economy.

Against this backdrop, during the Meeting, I will discuss with the participants such topics as our efforts to maintain and strengthen the rules-based free and fair multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, keeping in mind the upcoming 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13), which will be held in February 2024, as well as topics from the perspective of economic security against risks in supply chains and economic coercion.

In addition, in line with the G7 Hiroshima Summit, in which the need to strengthen engagement with partners beyond the G7 was also confirmed, partner countries, including from the Global South, and international organizations are invited to join in during the Meeting.

Taking this opportunity, I will also exchange views individually with participating ministers and representatives from international organizations.

That is all from me.

Nikkei Shimbun, Nemoto: I would like to ask about the situation in Israel. In response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Russia and Arab countries are urging an immediate ceasefire, while the EU and the United States are demanding temporary suspensions and humanitarian pauses. The arguments of the two sides differ due to their respective views including on the exercise of Israel’s right to self-defense. The Government of Japan is calling for improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza. What stance will Japan be taking on these respective arguments?

Minister Kamikawa: As I have stated before, Japan has unequivocally condemned the recent terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, and has taken the 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.

The situation in the Gaza Strip is becoming increasingly severe. Improving the local humanitarian situation is an immediate priority. Therefore, we must urgently ensure humanitarian access so that necessary assistance will be delivered to civilians in the Gaza Strip.

As such, for a realistic response considering the current situation, we consider a humanitarian pause to help improve the humanitarian situation to be necessary, and are calling for a humanitarian pause on the Israeli side.

In light of the constantly changing situation on the ground, Japan will continue diplomatic efforts to calm down the situation as soon as possible and improve the humanitarian situation.

Reuters, Murakami: Sakura Murakami from Reuters. Japan has called for pause to the fighting in Gaza to allow access for humanitarian purposes. You mention now that in Japanese "人道目的の一時的な戦闘休止" is the same as humanitarian pose but what is your understanding on whether this amounts to a ceasefire or not. What does Japan specifically mean by a pose and how long would this pose last and what was the scope of it? Thank you.

Minister Kamikawa: The objective of pausing the hostilities for humanitarian purposes includes ensuring humanitarian access in order to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. It has the same meaning as “humanitarian pause.”

At this time, I would like to refrain from speculating in answering your question. We are aware that there are vigorous communications taking place among the countries concerned, the United Nations (UN), and others to ensure humanitarian access. Japan, too, will work with various members of the international community, and reach out to the parties concerned to ensure humanitarian access.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: I’m Azhari, Pan Orient News. G7 reportedly said that Israel has the right of self-defense according to the international law. So what does that mean according to the international law exactly. In the course of this, Israel 's right of self-defense, thousands of Palestinian children and families were wiped out of and exterminated according to what has been shown on the Internet and other media. Does Japan support this form of right of self-defense and if not, do you condemn it? Thank you.

Minister Kamikawa: Your question to me was about what the G7 members meant by their remark. However, I would like to refrain from commenting about a statement issued by other countries.

That being said, Israel certainly has a right to defend itself and its people as a sovereign nation, and generally speaking, it goes without saying that such a right should be exercised in accordance with international law. Japan has reiterated this point to date.

With regard to your second question, as you pointed out, 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.

As I stated, to date, Japan has unequivocally condemned the recent terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, and has taken the 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.

On various occasions, Japan has stated to Israel the importance of protecting civilians, called for Israel to act in line with international humanitarian law, and requested Israel’s cooperation in ensuring humanitarian access.

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

That being said, Israel certainly has a right to defend itself and its people as a sovereign nation, and generally speaking, it goes without saying that such a right should be exercised in accordance with international law.

In any case, in light of the constantly changing situation on the ground, Japan will continue to maintain close communication with the countries concerned and take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese people in Israel and the Gaza Strip. At the same time, we will continue our diplomatic efforts to calm down the situation as soon as possible and improve the humanitarian situation.

Kyodo News, Katsurada: My question is related to the situation in the Middle East. At the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting scheduled to take place from November 7, the situation in Israel and Palestine is expected to be one of the main items on the agenda. As the G7 members take different positions on the Middle East situation, how does Japan, as the Presidency, intend to lead the discussion to reach a consensus?

Minister Kamikawa: Japan is this year’s G7 Presidency. We have been leading the G7’s discussions and delivering outcomes, giving priority to topics including maintaining and strengthening the free and open international order based on the rule of law as well as enhancing engagement with international partners.

In addition, as the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine grows ever more tense, a G7 Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk was held on October 17. The G7 foreign ministers confirmed their unequivocal condemnation of the recent terror attacks, and concurred on the need to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and on continuing to work together among the G7 members.

At the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on November 7 and 8, I intend to once again conduct in-depth discussions with the ministers on the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine. I also hope to deepen discussions on Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific, in light of the changing circumstances following the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting that was held during the UN General Assembly session in September.

There are “two more months,” not “only two months,” of Japan’s G7 Presidency. This will be a critical period. We will make the most of it to unite the G7 in addressing ongoing issues and to fulfill the Presidency’s responsibilities until the very end. We will then pass on the baton to Italy, next year’s Presidency.

NHK, Igarashi: I have a question on China. The state-run China Central Television reported that former Premier Li Keqiang of China, who served two terms from 2013, passed away in Shanghai in the early hours of October 27. Could you give us your comments?

Minister Kamikawa: I am aware that former Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council passed away in Shanghai in the early hours of today.

Former Premier Li made significant contributions to Japan-China relations over a long period, including paying an official visit to Japan in 2018, which marked the first visit to Japan in seven years by a Chinese Premier.

I offer my sincere condolences to former Premier Li and pray that he may rest in peace.

Japan Times, Ninivaggi: I would like to ask about Japan-Philippines military cooperation. Prime Minister Kishida plans to visit the Philippines early next month. Under such circumstances, some media outlets reported that the Governments of Japan and the Philippines began arrangements for negotiations on concluding an agreement that will facilitate reciprocal access and cooperation between the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Is this true? Please tell us, to the extent you can answer, what kind of agreement is being considered. Additionally, Japan-Philippines cooperation will fall under the OSA framework that Japan established this spring. What will Japan be providing specifically?

Minister Kamikawa: Firstly, we are aware of the reports on the RAA.

In February’s Japan-Philippines Joint Statement, the two countries concurred to continue to consider ways to further advance defense cooperation including through frameworks that will enhance and facilitate education and training exchanges as well as reciprocal visits of defense and military officials.

I would like to refrain from disclosing further details as they concern diplomatic communication. In any case, Japan and the Philippines will continue to deepen cooperation towards maintaining and strengthening the free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Regarding your question on OSA for the Philippines, the Philippines is located at a strategic point on a sea lane. It plays an important role in regional security, and we consider the Philippines a key partner for our national security.

From this standpoint, Japan has been planning projects in the Philippines as a candidate country in the first year of OSA. Japan is making final arrangements with the Philippines regarding the details, including the specific items to be provided.