Press Conferences

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

Next week, on June 12, I will be exchanging views with IGAD Executive Secretary Gebeyehu who will be visiting Japan. IGAD, comprised of eight countries in the Horn of Africa region, has a history of approximately 40 years.

The region is located in a hub connecting Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Japan considers that a stable Horn of Africa is vital for realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). ” Meanwhile, there are still many challenges to the stability of this region, including the deterioration of the situation in Sudan and the ongoing unstable situation in Somalia.

Over the years Japan has cooperated bilaterally with countries in this region. In recent years, we have also been shining light on expanding regional cooperation, and enhancing our collaboration with IGAD.

Last month, we supported the organization of a meeting that brought together civilian and democratic actors in Sudan. The meeting was participated by more than 180 women and integrated the “Women, Peace and Security” (WPS) perspective. It also discussed training human resources who will play an active role in the region. We believe this effort in Sudan serves as a model case for the TICAD process going forward.

Japan will continue to make efforts with a view of hosting the TICAD Ministerial Meeting this August and TICAD 9 next year, while aligning with Africa’s commitment to finding its own solutions to the issues facing Africa.

That is all from me.

Mainichi Shimbun, Moriguchi: I would like to ask a question related to the World Heritage List. Yesterday, ICOMOS conveyed a referral recommendation for the “Sado complex of heritage mines” in Niigata Prefecture, which Japan aims to have inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. ICOMOS requested additional information and said that the World Heritage Committee will discuss the site in the following year or later in principle. The site may not be inscribed this year. Moreover, ICOMOS asked for explanations and exhibits covering the entire history of the mines, including the Meiji period and beyond. What are your thoughts regarding this recommendation?

Could you also tell us about the specific efforts the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will be making to have the site inscribed this year, including dialogue with the Republic of Korea (ROK) where some people are opposed to the inscription citing forced labor?

Minister Kamikawa: On June 6, we received a notice from ICOMOS regarding the results of its evaluation of the “Sado complex of heritage mines.” As you said, it was a “referral” recommendation.

We understand ICOMOS has recognized the “Sado complex of heritage mines” as having value worthy of consideration for inscription on the World Heritage List. Meanwhile, it mentioned a number of points for the “inscription” of the site.

The Government will take the ICOMOS recommendation seriously and work closely with local governments. We will also work collectively in advancing a comprehensive review from the perspective of what would be most effective to realize the inscription of the “Sado complex of heritage mines” at the World Heritage Committee session this July.

Japan has engaged in discussions sincerely with the ROK to realize the inscription of the “Sado complex of heritage mines.”

I will refrain from disclosing the details of our dialogue with the ROK as it is diplomatic communication. Japan will continue to engage in thoughtful discussions with the ROK in a sincere and consistent manner, so that its outstanding value as a cultural heritage site will be recognized.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kamimura: My question overlaps with the previous one. It seems that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the ROK has not made any particular reaction to the “referral” recommendation. However, the ROK media have reported that the “referral” means ICOMOS has de facto recommended Japan to reflect the entire history of forced labor, or an intense diplomatic battle between Japan and the ROK is expected. How do you perceive the link with Japan-ROK historical issues, as claimed by the ROK media, and how do you intend to address it?

Minister Kamikawa: Japan has engaged in discussions sincerely with the ROK to realize the inscription of the “Sado complex of heritage mines.”

As I stated earlier, I would like to refrain from disclosing the details of our dialogue with the ROK as it is diplomatic communication. Japan will continue to engage in thoughtful discussions with the ROK in a sincere and consistent manner, so that its outstanding value as a cultural heritage site will be recognized.

Hokkaido Shimbun, Imai: I would like to ask about Ukraine. It has been reported that, coinciding with the G7 Summit, Prime Minister Kishida will hold a meeting with President Zelenskyy and a cooperation document will be signed between the two countries. What negotiations is the Government making with the Ukrainian side toward concluding a cooperation document at the summit meeting? Ukraine has concluded security cooperation documents with the UK and other countries. Please share with us what type of support does Japan wish to include in its cooperation document.

Minister Kamikawa: First of all, let me say that, if circumstances permit, Prime Minister Kishida will attend the G7 Apulia Summit in Italy from June 13 to 15, but a summit meeting with Ukraine which you referred to has not been decided at this time.

That being said, we are currently negotiating with the Government of Ukraine on a bilateral document, based on the “Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine” issued at the NATO Summit Meeting last July. We have set this point as our major objective to support Ukraine, which is facing a harsh situation. Japan will continue to strive to swiftly conclude the negotiations.

In the “Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine,” member states affirmed to create a document in accordance with their respective constitutional and legal requirements. Needless to say, Japan’s support and cooperation in the security field which you asked about will be in accordance with Japan’s constitutional and legal requirements.

NHK, Igarashi: I would like to ask about India. In the Lok Sabha election in India where votes were counted on June 4, the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Modi reduced its number of seats but maintained control of the government. Could you share your thoughts on the election results and how Japan-India relations will be developed, especially how Japan will seek to deepen its economic cooperation with India?

Minister Kamikawa: On India’s Lok Sabha general election, I am aware that vote counting began June 4 and the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Modi has declared victory.

Prime Minister Kishida sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Modi of India on June 5. We would like to once again congratulate the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Modi on its victory.

India is an important partner for the realization of FOIP. We recognize that promoting economic relations with India, which maintain high economic growth and can be described as a leading nation in the Global South, is important also for the Japanese economy.

We have advanced various cooperations with India, including cooperation toward the realization of the 5-trillion-yen target of public and private investment and financing. At the Strategic Dialogue between the Japanese and Indian foreign ministers in March, we held wide-ranging discussions on promoting bilateral relations, including improving the business environment in India. We will continue to make proactive efforts toward strengthening the bilateral relationship.

Chugoku Shimbun, Miyano: With the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets reaching their deadline in 2030, Hiroshima Prefecture submitted a proposal to MOFA to include the elimination of nuclear weapons in the next set of development goals. Please tell us about your opinion on this proposal.

Minister Kamikawa: The question was about SDGs. The international community as a whole is facing complex crises as well as great challenges.

We believe it is critical to accelerate efforts to achieve the existing SDGs. At the same time, Japan considers it important from this stage to constructively engage and partake in international discussions with a view to shaping period beyond 2030, taking into account that 2030 is the target year for the existing SDGs. MOFA is currently exploring the ways for doing so.

The question of how nuclear disarmament will be treated in such discussions will need to be considered based on member states’ various positions on nuclear disarmament.

The Government will continue and strengthen our realistic and practical efforts by implementing concrete measures one by one under the “Hiroshima Action Plan,” toward realization of a world without nuclear weapons.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kamimura: My question is also about nuclear weapons. On June 5, President Putin of Russia held a meeting with some media outlets including the Japanese press. He stated that Western countries believe Russia will never use nuclear weapons in the situation in Ukraine, suggesting the possible use of nuclear weapons. He has stepped up nuclear threats since the aggression against Ukraine began. How does Japan intend to counter such nuclear threats under the Japan-U.S. Alliance?

Minister Kamikawa: We are aware that during a meeting with news agencies on June 5, President Putin of Russia stated to the effect of “For some reason, the West believes that Russia will never use nuclear weapons.”

In the context of its aggression against Ukraine, Russia has repeated rhetoric and actions suggesting the use of nuclear weapons. Japan is seriously concerned about this situation.

As the only country that has ever suffered atomic bombings during war time, Japan considers that it absolutely cannot accept Russia’s nuclear threat, let alone its use of nuclear weapons. Japan has taken every opportunity to convey its position to Russia and has expressed to the international community as well. We will steadfastly continue these efforts going forward.