Press Conferences

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: New Zealand, on behalf of 117 countries, including Japan, issued the Joint Statement on the Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons at the United Nations General Assembly First Committee at around 6:20am on October 22. (5:20pm October 21 local time).
This statement was inspired from humanity’s aspirations with regard to nuclear weapons, and demonstrates political will concerning this matter. The Government of Japan has decided to join the statement, based on the fact that the content was revised so the intent of the statement overall is consistent with both the security policy and nuclear disarmament approach of Japan.
In particular, this statement explains that the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons have deep implications for human survival, for our environment, for socio-economic development, for our economies, and for the health of future generations, and it expresses the firm belief that awareness of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons must underpin all approaches and efforts toward disarmament. The Government of Japan supports this concept, as the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during the war and the country that most understands the tragedy of the use of nuclear weapons.
Going forward the Government of Japan will continue to play a leading role in efforts by the international community to realize “a world without nuclear weapons”, including through conveying the tragedy of nuclear weapon use across national boundaries and generations.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: This joint statement includes a section stating that it is in the interest of the very survival of humanity that nuclear weapons are never used again, under any circumstances. Are there no inconsistencies between this part and the security policy of Japan, which is under the US nuclear umbrella?

Minister Kishida: This statement, including the section you mentioned, incorporates phrases meaning recognize all approaches toward nuclear disarmament.
As a result of a careful examination of the entire statement, the Government of Japan concluded that the statement is consistent with both Japan’s approach toward realistic and gradual nuclear disarmament and Japan’s security policy, and decided to take part this time.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: So do you consider that to be a major point of difference compared to other proposed statements the Government of Japan did not sign in the past?

Minister Kishida: With the latest statement we discussed the issues carefully with the relevant countries, and the statement itself underwent some of important revisions. Having confirmed those changes, the Government of Japan decided to participate in this joint statement.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: Yesterday, a draft of the National Security Strategy was compiled, and it contains a revision to the Three Principles on Arms Exports. What are your thoughts on this matter?

Minister Kishida: Yesterday, I received the opinions from experts concerning the National Security Strategy, and the outline of the strategy. I feel that both have much importance. . It is my understanding that the Government will make a decision regarding the National Security Strategy itself in the future while referring to these.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: What about the revision of the Three Principles on Arms Exports?

Minister Kishida: I believe that the Government will decide a final strategy while also referring to matters such as the one that you mentioned.

Fujikawa, TV Asahi: How will you handle the concerns of countries in Asia, such as neighboring countries, China, and the Republic of Korea?

Minister Kishida: We have started to thoroughly explain the relevant countries on the proactive contribution to peace that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been advocating, including the National Security Strategy, and our initiatives have and received welcome and support from some of countries. I believe that we must continue our efforts to explain the details regarding Japan’s security policies in a thorough manner, for neighboring countries and other relevant countries.

Kikuchi, Asahi Shimbun: Japan says that it will take a leading role in addressing the nuclear issue in the international society. How do you think Japan should participate in discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear issues that are currently taking place ?

Minister Kishida: We have addressed the matter of Iran while collaborating with relevant countries under the existing policy of engaging in dialogues and applying pressure. From the outset, Iran and Japan have historically maintained friendly relations. Based on these relations, we held a Japan-Iran summit and foreign ministers meeting during the previous United Nations General Assembly, and engaged in dialogues in which we called for Iran to show some flexibility, and encouraged it to do so by taking concrete actions.
　Going forward, we intend to continue to approach Iran while collaborating with the international security.