Press Conferences
Press Conference by Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu
Friday, October 23, 2020, 1:49 p.m. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Japanese
Opening Remarks
Signing of the Japan-U.K. Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I signed the Japan-U.K. Comprehensive EPA with Secretary of State for International Trade Truss of the United Kingdom from this morning to midday.
We have reached the stage of signing the EPA without incident. I would like to firmly advance the domestic processes quickly going forward. That is all from me.
Signing of the Japan-U.K. Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
NHK, YAMAMOTO: In regard to the Japan-U.K. EPA that you just mentioned, I believe the bill for the EPA will be submitted to the Diet later. When will it be submitted, and what points in particular will be raised regarding the EPA’s significance during the Diet deliberations?
Minister MOTEGI: Firstly, it is aimed for the Japan-U.K. Comprehensive EPA to enter into force on January 1, 2021. Domestic processes such as the procedure in the Diet are being advanced to be in time for that.
In terms of the significance, the end of the transition period following Brexit is the end of this year, and concluding the EPA by then is important in the sense of enabling continuance of the benefits Japan has acquired under the Japan-EU EPA and ensuring the continued business of Japanese companies.
This EPA also maintains the market access from under the Japan-EU EPA, and, as I stated in the joint press conference today, includes content stipulating more advanced, high-level rules in fields such as ecommerce and financial services. It is expected that trade and investment between Japan and the United Kingdom will be further promoted in the future under the EPA.
At the same time, I believe that cooperation between Japan and the United Kingdom will be a first step in leading rule-making in the international community including for ecommerce and financial services.
NHK, YAMAMOTO: I have just one more related question. Did the United Kingdom’s participation in the TPP come up as a topic in your discussions with Secretary of State for International Trade Truss?
Minister MOTEGI: In my meeting with Secretary of State for International Trade Truss, I stated that Japan welcomes the United Kingdom’s interest in joining the TPP. Japan will be the Chair of the TPP Commission next year, and I stated that if the United Kingdom wants to join the TPP, then we would like to provide cooperation in various ways such as providing information.
Secretary of State for International Trade Truss stated that the United Kingdom has strong interest in joining the TPP. She also explained that various procedures and coordination are being advanced within the United Kingdom towards that.
Sankei Shimbun, ISHINABE: The negotiations between Japan and the United Kingdom have reached a conclusion in a short period of four and a half months since they began in June. Firstly, can you please tell us your reaction to reaching the signing of the EPA in four and a half months? Also, please tell us your impressions in general, such as what was tough, reflecting on the negotiations.
Minister MOTEGI: Such trade negotiations entail conflicting national interests of the countries involved. This was also true for the TPP11 as well as the Japan-U.S. Trade Agreement. Although I believe these were certainly difficult negotiations, however, the major objectives were confirmed in the way I mentioned earlier as the negotiations advanced. I believe that the fact that the EPA was signed at an exceptional speed after four and a half months since the start of negotiations was the result of agreement between the views of Japan and the United Kingdom. It was the result of us agreeing on what we would like to do within our large global society.
G20 Summit
Arab News, AZHARI: The G20 Summit is planned next month virtually. What is Japan's goal that it would like to achieve for this Summit, especially in cooperation with Saudi Arabia which is the chairman of the Summit.
Minister MOTEGI: Saudi Arabia will hold the G20 Presidency this year. Japan will aim for having the G20 work on a message of leading the international community on responding to the novel coronavirus, the recovery of the global economy that has been majorly affected by the novel coronavirus, resumption of cross-border travel, and creating the post-novel coronavirus international order.
Japan held the G20 Presidency last year. During my recent visit to Saudi Arabia, I clearly conveyed that Japan will provide full cooperation as part of the G20 Troika for Saudi Arabia’s initiatives as the G20 President.
Resumption of Cross-Border Travel
Yomiuri Shimbun, MORIYAMA: I would like to ask about business travel. In addition to the existing “Business Track” and “Residence Track,” I believe that Japan is considering various policies from an international perspective. What are Japan’s thoughts on future consideration on treatment of countries where there are many people infected with the novel coronavirus? Is it considered quite difficult to allow resumption of cross-border travel with countries where there are many infected people?
Minister MOTEGI: As I have emphasized many times, I believe it is extremely important to allow resumption of cross-border travel in a way that also prevents the spread of the novel coronavirus. In addition to Japan, other countries are also advancing consideration in that direction. I believe it is extremely important to consider how to advance this in phases. Japan is allowing travel beginning from countries where the novel coronavirus situation is winding down, and has advanced coordination with 16 target countries and regions thus far.
As a result, the “Residence Track” for long-term residents has already begun with 10 countries and regions. In addition, the “Business Track” for short-term business travelers has already begun with Singapore and the Republic of Korea (ROK). On October 19, Prime Minister Suga and Prime Minister Phuc also agreed to launch the “Business Track” between Japan and Viet Nam.
Moreover, entry into Japan has been allowed since October 1 for foreign people with status of residence in Japan arriving from all countries and regions in principle, mainly including long-term residents such as human resources needed for business, foreign exchange students, family members, and other foreign people with status of residence in Japan. Firstly, in terms of what will be done going forward, as I stated before, consultations and coordination are currently being advanced with the remaining countries among the 16 target countries and regions. We will advance bilateral consultations and coordination and work toward swift agreements and implementation.
Additionally, I believe it is important to consider further measures to relax restrictions going forward. It is necessary to conduct careful consideration regarding the combination of policies and measures, framework, and timing on how to allow resumption of cross-border travel in a way that also prevents the spread of the novel coronavirus.
In relation to that, in particular, China is one of the remaining countries. Based on the confirmation of continuing to hold consultations toward allowing resumption of cross-border travel by business-related people during the Japan-China Summit Telephone Talk in September, the final consultations are currently being held toward swiftly starting phased measures toward allowing resumption of cross-border travel between Japan and China.