Press Conferences

Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I would like to briefly speak about three issues in my opening remarks.

Firstly, if circumstances permit, I will visit New York when the United Nations General Assembly is in session from next Wednesday, September 22, to September 24. I plan to participate in meetings such as the Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the G4 Countries on UN Security Council Reform, for which Japan will be the chair country.

In addition, taking this opportunity in which various countries’ foreign ministers will be visiting New York, coordination is underway so that I can hold bilateral meetings with various countries. I would like to agree on the importance of the free and open international order based on the rule of law, and hold frank exchange of views regarding regional affairs such as North Korea, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the Indo-Pacific region.

Minister Motegi: The second issue is the release of the Joint Communication on the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific yesterday. A statement was issued under my name, welcoming the EU’s announcement of their specific measures, together with their strong will, on their engagement to the Indo-Pacific.

In January this year, I participated in the EU Foreign Affairs Council as the first Foreign Minister of Japan. The Joint Communication resonates with Japan’s views and efforts for a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP) which I shared at the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

Japan will continue to cooperate with the EU and like-minded countries, including EU countries, toward realizing FOIP.

Minister Motegi: Lastly, the third issue is regarding the Japan-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk with Foreign Minister Payne of Australia, which was held from 10:30 a.m. just before this press conference. Foreign Minister Payne is currently in Washington D.C. At the outset, Foreign Minister Payne explained about the Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) held on September 16 (local time) and the launch of a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (AUKUS). In response, I welcomed the security cooperation between Australia and the United States and the launch of AUKUS, which are both aimed at strengthening their engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.

Furthermore, we also confirmed that Japan and Australia will continue their cooperation and collaboration in various ways, including via the Japan-U.S.-Australia-India cooperation and the Leaders’ Summit to be held next week, toward realizing FOIP.

We also exchanged our views on how to respond to North Korea. In this context, I explained that I strongly protested the launch of the ballistic missiles by North Korea the day before yesterday as a violation of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. I added that North Korea’s recent nuclear and missile-related activities threaten the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community. Minister Payne shared the same views. We confirmed that Japan and Australia will closely cooperate. That is all from me.

Nikkei Shimbun, Tobita: Last night, China formally requested to join the TPP. Firstly, please tell us your reaction to the feasibility of this. Also, please tell us again Japan’s view on the United States’ withdrawal from the TPP, or perhaps I should say the Trump administration’s withdrawal.

Minister Motegi: The TPP11 is a multilateral economic partnership agreement which has been promoted under Japan’s leadership, for which I served as the minister in charge.

The TPP11 are high-level in terms of market access as well as in terms of rules, including on e-commerce, intellectual property, government procurement, and state-owned enterprises. As I have repeatedly stated until now, if a country wishes to join, we will need to carefully assess whether a country is prepared to fulfill TPP’s high level details. With regards to China, Japan believes that we need to firstly carefully assess whether China is ready to fulfill TPP’s high level.

In any event, I believe we will need to respond while fully consulting with other member countries and taking into consideration of a strategic perspective as well.

Right now, the accession procedures of the United Kingdom to join TPP is underway. I believe that will be carried out first.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: Just commenting on the increase and enhance the cooperation between EU and the Japan over the Indo Pacific Free and Open Initiative. It seems that there are more military engagement and we saw the Queen Elizabeth carrier and other Dutch ship in the region.　Do you think that EU will be more engaged in military aspects especially concerning the dispute over the Senkaku Island with China?

Minister Motegi: As for the EU, including NATO, in terms of security cooperation with Europe in the Indo-Pacific, the U.K. aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth called at Yokosuka Port. The Jeanne d'Arc training fleet of the French Navy also called at a port in Japan in May 2021. Furthermore, the German frigate Bayern was dispatched to the Indo-Pacific region. Japan welcomes the expansion of exchanges with Europe in the region.

I also recently held a telephone talk with then Foreign Minister Raab of the United Kingdom, and we agreed to further promote Japan-U.K. cooperation in security and defense areas.

In regard to cooperation with NATO, I issued a statement calling for NATO to be a strong partner in realizing FOIP at the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in December 2020.

We are expanding cooperation at the working level with NATO. Cooperation has been strengthened, such as Japan’s participation for the first time in an exercise of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in April 2021.

Cooperation with the EU in the Indo-Pacific is of course not limited to security cooperation, but also extends to extensive fields such as strengthening connectivity, disaster preparedness, climate change, and the digital field. We will advance cooperative relations in such extensive fields.

Tribune News, Susilo: This week become very noisy week in Indonesia regarding warning notes from MoFA Japan Foreign Ministry in Japan. Even there is a big media with a big headline "Be careful. Japan’s warning to Indonesia." A lot of friends including my very important person also asking me, "Richard, is that true that Japan issued a warning note of a possibility of suicide bomb in Indonesia, and I answered, "I don’t know because I have never heard from Minister MOTEGI and even could not find in MoFA website including from “Anzenzyohou MoFa website.” So is that true MoFA of the beginning of September issued the warning notes? What is the reason behind the issue of warning notes regarding possibility of suicide bomb in Indonesia?

Minister Motegi: Firstly, the quote or what you have just said is incorrect. Indonesia was not mentioned in such way.

On September 12 and 13, Japanese embassies and consulates in some Southeast Asian countries issued a consul email stating that there is an information on growing possibility of a suicide bomb attack occurring at a place where many people gather, such as a place of worship. It called for Japanese nationals in the countries to be vigilant against terrorism. Indonesia was not one of the countries where the consul email was issued.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: I would like to ask about the Middle East, Minister. Japan, last month, imported almost 100% or 98% of its crude oil from the Middle East, from the Arab countries. That makes the region very important and crucial for Japan's economy. But there are some war going on in Yemen and this is very close to the oil fields where Japan gets its oil. And I think you said before few times that Japan supports peaceful resolution of that situation in Yemen. Recently, I think yesterday, there was a joint statement by Saudi Arabia, UAE, America and Britain, UK to restore the situation and enhance the economy in Yemen and save the lives. So, what is Japan's position on the situation there now in Yemen.

Minister Motegi: It is true that Japan relies on the Middle East for close to 90% of its crude oil. From this perspective, I believe that peace and stability in the Middle East are extremely important.

The Government of Japan strongly condemns the repeated cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia by the Houthis, including the missile attack against the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia on September 4.

The Government of Japan has been calling on all parties concerned, including the Houthis, for the start of early dialogue toward an immediate ceasefire and political solution in Yemen. We will support the international community’s efforts toward ending the conflict in Yemen, including the activities by United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Grundberg.

I have also been urging for a ceasefire and peace in Yemen using opportunities of telephone talks with my counterparts in related countries and my recent visit to the Middle East. I will continue to work toward realizing peace and stability in Yemen and the Middle East in cooperation with related countries inside and outside the region, including the implementation of humanitarian aid.