Press Conferences

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I attended the G7 Meeting today from 9:30 p.m. for approximately one hour. It was decided to suddenly hold the meeting today by taking the opportunity of the foreign ministers of the G7 members gathering in Brussels to participate in the NATO meeting. I participated online from Tokyo. This was the fourth G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in about two weeks, following the meetings on February 19, 22, and 27. This is a considerably high pace but directly shows how serious of a situation Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is in terms of undermining the foundation of the international order. During the meeting, the G7 again strongly condemned Russia’s unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine. We demanded that Russia immediately stop its ongoing assault against Ukraine, which has hurt the civilian population and immediately withdraw its military forces. Additionally, we agreed that the G7 will continue to impose further severe sanctions on Russia if it does not stop its aggression. We also condemned Russia’s attack on the nuclear power plant in Ukraine that occurred today and agreed as the G7 to demand that Russia stop its attacks in the direct vicinity of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. On behalf of Japan, which experienced the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, I condemned such attacks in the strongest possible terms as being absolutely unacceptable. Furthermore, the G7 again expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people and reaffirmed its support and commitment to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We also agreed to increase humanitarian support to Ukraine. Japan will continue to respond while closely cooperating with the international community, including the G7.

Reporter:I would like to ask about the equipment that was announced earlier by the Government of Japan. Prime Minister Kishida spoke about equipment during his telephone talk with the President of Ukraine. Did you also speak about this during the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting?

Minister Hayashi: Based on the request from the Government of Ukraine, it was decided in the National Security Council Four Ministers Meeting today to consider the provision of non-harmful materials within the scope of the Self-Defense Forces Act and the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, as stated by Prime Minister Kishida. During the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I introduced that Japan had decided to consider the provision of the equipment and materials I mentioned before based on the request from the Government of Ukraine. Various countries expressed that they welcome this.

Reporter: Regarding nuclear power plants, the G7 ministers agreed to demand that Russia stop attacks on such facilities. Was there any kind of discussion on handling areas that appear to already be under Russian control?

Minister Hayashi: As it is a rule of the G7 to not introduce statements made by other countries, I would like to refrain from answering the details of the discussions. We declared that we condemn Russia’s attacks on the nuclear power plant, and agreed for the G7 to demand that Russia stop its attacks in the direct vicinity of nuclear power plants. As I stated in my opening remarks, on behalf of Japan, which experienced the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, I strongly condemned such attacks as being completely unacceptable.

Reporter: I would like to ask about additional sanctions. Did you have any discussions related to the timing or details of additional sanctions? If so, could you please share it with us?

Minister Hayashi: As I stated earlier, the G7 demanded that Russia immediately stop its ongoing assault against Ukraine and immediately withdraw its military forces, and agreed to continue to impose further severe sanctions if Russia does not stop its aggression. I would like to refrain from discussing the exchanges during our discussions. Japan will continue to respond while closely cooperating with the international community, including the G7, in order to defend the foundation of the international order.

Reporter: Concerning the attacks on the nuclear power plant facility, the Press Secretary of the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that the attacks were conducted by Ukrainian saboteurs. What is your reaction to this?

Minister Hayashi: I believe that is Russia’s own claim. As I stated before, we declared that we condemn Russia’s attacks on the nuclear power plant, and agreed for the G7 to demand that Russia stop its attacks in the direct vicinity of nuclear power plants.