Press Conferences

Kyodo News, Tanaka: I would like to ask about welcoming foreign dignitaries who will come to Japan for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Please tell us if MOFA has a prediction on how many foreign summit leader level dignitaries will come to Japan, and the outlook on what restrictions there will be on welcoming dignitaries from the perspective of preventing and curbing the spread of novel coronavirus infections.

Mr. YOSHIDA Tomoyuki, Press Secretary: We have provided explanations many times as necessary through diplomatic corps in Tokyo regarding what measures and countermeasures we will take and what requests we will make assuming that dignitaries from various countries will come to Japan for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

I will start by addressing your first question on about how many dignitaries will come from which countries. At the present point, we are of course updating the details as necessary and maintaining our understanding of the situation. However, there are still many aspects that we have not yet received definite notifications on, so I cannot tell you how many countries it will be right now.

That being said, for your reference, we have the numbers for the most recent Games held in Rio de Janeiro and London, and I do not think the numbers for the Tokyo Games will exceed those. Perhaps rather than the word exceed, right now I imagine that the Tokyo numbers will probably not reach the Rio de Janeiro and London numbers.

On the other hand, in regard to infection control measures applied to foreign dignitaries participating in the Olympic and Paralympic Games particularly from the perspective of novel coronavirus countermeasures, we are continuing to conduct consideration on what form of measures would be best based on infection conditions in Japan and abroad. Nothing has been decided beyond what has been explained thus far. Basically, the Government of Japan has strongly requested the other countries to narrow down the number of delegation members as much as possible. We are also recommending that dignitary groups be vaccinated before coming to Japan.

We are requesting the dignitaries to firstly be tested when they arrive in Japan as well as later. Furthermore, in regard to means of transportation in Japan, we are telling them that in principle we do not want them to take public transportation.

We assume that dignitaries will basically move around by car. In cases in which using airplanes or other such transportation methods is unavoidable, we are requesting them to avoid contact with other passengers as much as possible, such as by using private aircraft and making arrangements accordingly.

There is exactly one month until the Tokyo Olympic Games, particularly the Opening Ceremony on July 23. We will provide more explanations on how to visit Japan to diplomatic corps based on the latest infection conditions in Japan and abroad.

Kyodo News, Tanaka: I have a related question. If it is the case that infection conditions in Japan and abroad will be considered as you said, then is it assumed that there may be cases in which entry into Japan is denied for some foreign dignitaries depending on the infection conditions?

Press Secretary Yoshida: Basically, we will respond based on infection conditions. We will conduct consideration and provide explanations from the perspective of how to have safe, secure, and comfortable stays in Japan. It is not the case that we are currently considering denying entry to Japan depending on infection conditions.

Asahi Shimbun, Abe: Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Mori assumed his position yesterday. He told personnel that changes in the international environment going forward will come with a turbulence and depth unlike anything Japan has experienced since World War II. What did he specifically have in mind when he stated this? Also, do you have the same recognition?

Press Secretary Yoshida: There were personnel changes among senior MOFA officials yesterday, and the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs changed. At the personnel change ceremony, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Mori, who newly assumed his position, told MOFA personnel that they must respond to changes in the international situation more powerful than any trends of changes in the past.

We recognize that compared to the past 10 or 20 years, the international situation is becoming extremely complex and diversifying, and the situations surrounding various countries are dramatically changing due to the progress of science and technology, including telecommunications technology, and the spread of the internet.

Due to this, in terms of our diplomatic activities, our responses to diplomatic relations with various countries will change. Also, in promoting this, the tools and methods we should use will also probably greatly change. We recognize that MOFA personnel, MOFA itself, and diplomatic missions must work as one to respond to the new situation.

I would like to refrain from speculating on what specifically Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Mori might have had in mind.

Asahi Shimbun, Abe: I would like to change the subject to ask about Japan’s approach to the neighboring countries of China and the Republic of Korea (ROK). There was a period when former Prime Minister Abe used to say, “The door for dialogue is always open.” The Diplomatic Bluebook also stated, “[I]n view of concerns between the countries, it is even more crucial to initiate frank discussions. Hence, Japan will continue to call for direct dialogue.” Is the idea of the door always being open for dialogue still maintained today?

Press Secretary Yoshida: You asked about neighboring countries in particular. I believe the basis of diplomatic relations is resolving pending issues one by one through dialogue, rather than utilizing military power or the use of force.

Accordingly, as the basis for diplomatic relations, dialogue is of course the basic starting point for those of us involved in diplomatic activities. I believe that Japan, as a country that pursues its national interests as well as regional peace and prosperity through diplomacy, will continue and strengthen what former Prime Minister Abe used to emphasize.

Therefore, I believe that there will be no change to Japan’s stance on continuing to keep the door open for dialogue and conducting frank communication.

Asahi Shimbun, Abe: I would like to ask another related question. In regard to Japan-ROK relations, in your press conference last week, you indicated that communication will be continued between the diplomatic authorities of Japan and the ROK. On the other hand, you also stated that unfortunately the ROK has not provided the dialogue that Japan has been requesting. You said that if the ROK truly has the will to improve Japan-ROK relations, then the first priority should be that they actually respond in a meaningful manner.

A Japan-ROK Summit Meeting was not realized during the G7 Summit. In terms of the door for dialogue you mentioned, is it currently open with conditions attached for the ROK?

Press Secretary Yoshida: As I believe Foreign Minister Motegi and I have always stated when asked about Japan-ROK relations in our press conferences up until now, I stated that we will maintain communication between our diplomatic authorities.

I remember that Foreign Minister Motegi stated that in his press conference yesterday when asked about the Japan-ROK Director-General Level Talk held in Seoul.

Because Japan-ROK relations are as we have been stating, we have been disclosing our requests to the ROK. Amidst this, we are making clear that communication between our countries’ diplomatic authorities will be continued even if there is a situation in which the ROK’s position is inconsistent with what Japan is requesting, and what Japan thinks the ROK must do is not done. Therefore, I believe that it is not the case that the door for dialogue has preconditions.