Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have one announcement.

When I attended the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Busan, the ROK, I visited a local bookstore and purchased a book. Since assuming office as Foreign Minister, I have visited bookstores in six countries and purchased books on culture and history.

I have been exposed to the print cultures of various regions as a member of the Parliamentary Association on Character-and-Type Culture, and I hope to make use of these bookstore visits for my future diplomatic activities.

In particular, Japan, China, and the ROK share the kanji culture. In these three countries, the same character may be pronounced similarly, or conversely, a word with the same characters may have different meanings. Such discoveries offer an excellent opportunity to familiarize oneself with the underlying culture and history.

Japanese manga is another outstanding print culture. Its popularity amazes me every time I visit a foreign country. In particular, I have been able to experience young people’s passion for Japanese manga firsthand when visiting various countries.

Finding out what kind of books are read in a country helps you to understand its culture and values. To the extent possible, I hope to continue visiting bookstores around the world.

That is all from me.

NHK, Kato: I would like to ask about the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine.

The Government of Qatar, the intermediary between Israel and the Islamic organization Hamas, announced on November 27 that they reached an agreement to extend the pause in fighting in Palestine’s Gaza Strip by two days.

If the new agreement is upheld, the pause in fighting will be extended until at least November 29. Please share with us your reaction and Japan’s responses going forward.

Minister Kamikawa: In the Gaza Strip, there have been numerous deaths and injuries including children, women, and elderly people. Japan is paying close attention to this critical humanitarian situation with serious concern.

In this situation, based on the agreement between Israel and Hamas announced on November 22, hostages have been released four times since the November 24, Japan time. Furthermore, we are aware that the pause will be extended by two days, according to the latest announcement by the Government of Qatar, and we welcome this.

While having unequivocally condemned the terror attacks by Hamas and others, Japan has consistently called for: the immediate release of the hostages, the securing of the safety of civilians, all the parties to act in accordance with international law, and calming down the situation as soon as possible.

The developments in the situation remain unpredictable. While closely communicating with the countries and organizations concerned, we will continue to call on all parties to adhere to international law, including international humanitarian law, and to act in good faith based on the recently adopted United Nations Security Council resolution that Japan voted in favor of. At the same time, we will persistently and actively make diplomatic efforts toward improving the humanitarian situation and, to this end, maintaining the humanitarian pause for a long time and calming down the situation as soon as possible.

Kyodo News, Katsurada: I have a question about the second Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW. The draft political declaration, the meeting aims to adopt, calls for a departure from the insistence on nuclear deterrence, noting that it is hindering progress in nuclear disarmament. Japan relies on the nuclear umbrella of the United States. Please share again your thoughts on the path toward a world without nuclear weapons.

Minister Kamikawa: We are aware of the reports that the Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW, which you referred to, will aim to adopt a political declaration. However, I would like to refrain from commenting as Japan is not participating in this meeting and is not fully aware of the discussions taking place at this meeting.

That being said, generally speaking, the security environment surrounding Japan remains severe due to factors such as Russia’s threat to use nuclear weapons and North Korea’s nuclear and missile development. In these circumstances, it is not contradictory by any means to work to bring the reality closer to the ideal of a world without nuclear weapons, while at the same time facing reality and ensuring national security for protecting the lives and property of the Japanese people.

The Government of Japan will continue and enhance realistic and practical efforts toward a world without nuclear weapons by building on the “G7 Leaders’ Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament” as a solid platform, and implementing each of the initiatives under the “Hiroshima Action Plan.”

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kudo: I would like to ask about the bookstore visits you talked about earlier in your opening remarks. You said that you purchased a book in the ROK. If you do not mind, could you tell us what kind of book you purchased? In addition, if there are any books you bought and have already read, please also share with us your thoughts about them.

Minister Kamikawa: At the bookstore in Busan, I purchased the novel Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982.

The protagonist is a woman born in the first half of the 1980s when Korean society was undergoing significant change. It depicts the transformation of Korean society, the challenges, and discrimination in relation to women. I understand it sold one million copies, and I am looking forward to reading it.

As the book is written in Hangul, I plan to also buy the book in Japanese.

Through such visits to bookstores and the books I encounter there, I hope to continue to deepen my understanding of the cultures and values of different countries, and make use of them for my various diplomatic activities, including women, peace and security (WPS).

Among the many books I bought, I am quite enjoying the one from Brunei where women are active. It is about women who are playing active roles in various fields and whom I can regard as my role models. It gives insight into each person’s personality, and I find the book very interesting.

I was strongly drawn to all the books I purchased. At some bookstores, the staff kindly gave me explanations and recommended books based on my needs. I will continue to treasure each and every one.

Chugoku Shimbun, Higuchi: For inscription on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) just announced that it will recommend “Visual Documentary of the Hiroshima Atomic Bombing,” for which an application was jointly filed by Hiroshima City and five media outlets, including my organization. Please tell us why it was decided to recommend and what efforts the Government will make for formal inscription. In addition, what do you consider to be the value of the photos and videos showing the devastation of the atomic bombing?

Minister Kamikawa: Today, November 28, the Government of Japan decided to apply two collections for inscription on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. The first is the one you mentioned, “Visual Documentary of the Hiroshima Atomic Bombing: Photos and Videos from 1945.” The second one is “The Three Buddhist Scripture Collections of Zojoji Temple.”

The one you referred to, “Visual Documentary of the Hiroshima Atomic Bombing: Photos and Videos from 1945,” is a collection of photos and videos that were taken by affected citizens and press photographers between August 6, 1945, when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, and the end of December of that year. They constitute extremely valuable archival materials.

We consider both collections to be suitable for inscription on the Memory of the World Register. MOFA will work together with relevant ministries and agencies, and all government organizations will united to make efforts to realize their inscription in 2025.

Chugoku Shimbun, Higuchi: I just have one more question. Hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) are advanced in age, and I believe documentaries that show the devastation in the immediate aftermath of the atomic bombing are of increasing importance. If you have any thoughts on these points, could you please say a few words?

Minister Kamikawa: Some people who were affected by the atomic bombing and lived through various hardships at that time have passed away. There are also second- and third-generation Hibakusha. In this context, systematically preserving such documentaries related to the Hiroshima atomic bombing contributes significantly to the holding of a memorial ceremony every year and the pledging of the importance of peace to each other.

In this sense, we view it as vital to preserve the collection as a “Memory of the World.” Taking advantage of such opportunities, we will make efforts to carry on the wishes of those who desperately documented the event and ensure that as many people as possible know the realities of the atomic bombing.

IWJ, Hamamoto: I have a question about the situation in Ukraine. Prime Minister Kishida has expressed unwavering support for Ukraine to President Zelenskyy, despite the growing view in the West that Ukraine is likely to lose. Is this not creating unnecessary bloodshed for Ukrainians, and is this not wasteful spending of the tax money of the Japanese people? Furthermore, Ukraine’s proposed 10-point peace plan is infeasible, and it is clear that it has no intention of a ceasefire. I think that considering that the war will come to an end at some point and Japan and Russia will be rebuilding their relations after the war, it is not advisable for Japan to brand Russia as our “enemy.” Do you not think that Japan should present a neutral and realistic peace proposal of its own and persuade Ukraine, Russia, and the West?

Minister Kamikawa: Firstly, Japan’s basic position is that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundation of the international order, which the international community has built up over a long period with dedicated efforts and sacrifices.

Regarding peace in Ukraine, Russia is continuing its attacks against Ukraine. There are no signs of any attempt by Russia to make compromises. For example, President Putin has repeatedly stated that the annexed parts of Ukraine are not up for negotiation.

This situation diverges significantly from the thoughts of Ukraine, a party to the conflict.

Under such circumstances, what Japan should do first is to continue to impose strict sanctions against Russia and provide robust support for Ukraine, toward the goal of stopping Russia’s aggression as soon as possible, in close cooperation with the international community, including the G7.

In this regard, at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on November 8, I, as the Chair, urged that the G7 must remain united in supporting Ukraine even as tensions increase in the Middle East. As a result, we were able to reach a shared view that the G7 remains united in its attitude to impose severe sanctions against Russia and provide strong support for Ukraine. As the G7 Presidency, Japan will continue to demonstrate leadership for realizing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.