Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have an announcement.
Today, I will hold a meeting with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg, who is visiting Japan leading the Luxembourg Economic Mission.
Japan and Luxembourg maintain excellent bilateral relations built on the cornerstone of the close relationship between the Imperial Household and the Grand Ducal Household.

The mission visiting Japan from Luxembourg consists of a total of approximately 70 people from twenty-some odd companies in the fields of IT, AI, and space, including satellite communications.

Through this visit by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg and the Economic Mission, we hope to further strengthen Japan-Luxembourg relations and deepen bilateral collaboration.

On this occasion, the two countries will also hold a signing ceremony for the Japan-Luxembourg Air Services Agreement and the Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of Space Activities for Peaceful Purposes. At the meeting, I intend to exchange views on matters including ways to deepen our relationship, focusing on cooperation in these fields. In addition, I hope to hold a candid discussion on regional affairs and other issues.

That is all from me.

NHK, Igarashi: My question is related to the freezing of Russian assets. As Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine enters its third year, the G7 members are considering using the profits generated from interest on Russian central bank assets, which have been frozen by the sanctions, for providing support for Ukraine. First of all, what is the Government of Japan’s position on this idea? Secondly, some experts see such use of profits as infringement of property rights and a violation of international law. Please also tell us about the Government’s opinion on whether it breaches international law.

Minister Kamikawa: As is stated in the G7’s related statements, including the G7 Leaders’ Statement released on February 24, the use of Russian frozen assets will continue to be discussed extensively among the countries concerned.

I hope you will understand that it is not appropriate for me to speculate on future responses at this time. In any case, Japan will continue to work closely with the G7 and other countries concerned and address the matter appropriately in line with the Japanese legal system and international law.

Kyodo News, Nishiyama: I would like to ask about the situation in the Korean Peninsula. In retaliation against North Korea, which again flew large balloons carrying trash, the Republic of Korea (ROK) forces conducted loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts directed at North Korea near the inter-Korean Military Demarcation Line. North Korea has blasted the broadcasts, and the reprisals are expected to intensify. What is the Government of Japan’s reaction?

Minister Kamikawa: We constantly strive to gather and analyze information with serious concern regarding North Korea’s moves.

I would like to refrain from commenting on the possibility of a response from North Korea, including one against the broadcasts by ROK military you are referring to. Generally speaking, it is critical that such acts do not heighten inter-Korean tensions and lead to the escalation of the situation.

In any case, Japan will continue to make all efforts to conduct necessary information gathering and analysis and to implement vigilance and surveillance activities. In addition, we will work closely with relevant countries, including the ROK, to respond to North Korea.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kamimura: I would like to ask about the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine. A few days ago, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Guterres designated Israel for the first time as a state that seriously violated the rights of children. Please share with us your assessment and thoughts on this designation.

Minister Kamikawa: We are aware that the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General commented during his regular briefing that Israel will be newly listed on the annex of the Annual Report of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict.

However, as the annual report has not yet been released, we would like to refrain from commenting at this point.

That being said, regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip, Japan is deeply concerned by the killing of a large number of civilians, including children and women. As a Security Council member, Japan voted in favor of adopting a Security Council resolution last November that focused on the protection of children in the Gaza Strip. Not only that, Japan has made various other diplomatic efforts at the UN toward the release of hostages and a ceasefire.

Today, a U.S. draft Security Council resolution was adopted by a majority vote, welcoming the new proposal announced on May 31 regarding the release of the hostages and the ceasefire, calling on Hamas to accept it, and urging both parties to fully implement its terms immediately and unconditionally.

Japan welcomes the adoption and my statement is due to be issued later. Japan once again strongly urges all parties concerned to seize this opportunity and steadily work toward the release of all hostages and a sustainable ceasefire.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: We have following-up on the Palestinian Issue. An international consensus of 148 countries including some G7 countries is established, supporting recognizing Palestine as a state. The recognition is proved to be the most viable means to achieve lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East.
What is the exact reason behind Japan’s rejection to recognize Palestine as a state, or at least upgrade the diplomatic representation level with Palestinian officials?
Palestine has been the leading country in supporting Palestine, but lots are puzzled by you don’t recognize Palestine as a state. Thank you.

Minister Kamikawa: Japan has supported a “two-state solution” through negotiations between the parties and understands the wish of the Palestinians to establish an independent state, and has supported Palestine’s efforts toward that.

Palestine has greatly appreciated such assistance from Japan, and during the telephone talk with Mohammad Mustafa, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Palestine on April 2, he expressed his gratitude for Japan’s assistance.

We will continue to make persistent and active diplomatic efforts to calm down the situation as soon as possible and improve the humanitarian situation, for example, through direct outreach to both Israel and Palestine. Furthermore, we will make efforts to promote confidence-building between the Israeli and the Palestinian sides through our own efforts, including the “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity” initiative.

In addition, Japan will continue to review comprehensively on its recognition of Palestine as a state, including the perspective of how it can contribute to progress in the peace process.

Asahi Shimbun, Matsuyama: Changing topics, I would like to inquire about parliamentary diplomacy. Minister Liu Jianchao of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) visited Japan last month. At a panel with the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) and Komeito, an agreement was reached on resuming meetings of the “Japan-China Ruling Party Exchange Council,” which means the reopening of the parliamentary diplomacy channel between Japan and China. What are the Government’s thoughts on this point?

You yourself have been actively engaged in parliamentary diplomacy even before taking office as Foreign Minister, including serving as the first Vice-President of the Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Could you share with us your views on the expected role of parliamentary diplomacy, not only for Japan-China relations but also more broadly for exchanges between political parties and parliamentarians?

Minister Kamikawa: As for Japan-China relations, last November, Prime Minister Kishida and President Xi Jinping reaffirmed to comprehensively promote a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests” and build “constructive and stable relations” between the two countries. And again in May, Prime Minister Kishida and Premier Li Qiang confirmed to continue dialogue at various levels on the various challenges and issues of concern between Japan and China in line with this broad direction.

Against this backdrop, Mr. Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, recently visited Japan. The agreement to resume meetings of the Japan-China Ruling Party Exchange Council between the LDP and Komeito is significant for promoting exchanges between parliamentarians and political parties, which is an important pillar of the larger policy I just explained.

In addition, to continue advancing our national interests amidst the diplomatic challenges facing Japan and diverse parties, I recognize it is necessary to conduct diplomacy with an all-Japan approach that includes not only the executive branch but also the legislative branch.

From this viewpoint, it is also very important for Japanese diplomacy that Diet members, in their capacity as parliamentarians, exchange views with overseas dignitaries on various themes and in various formats, deepening mutual understanding.

The Government will continue to support parliamentary diplomacy to the fullest extent possible.

Independent Web Journal, Hamamoto: I have a question about Ukraine. On June 5, in St. Petersburg, President Putin stated that Russia would not refuse to hold talks with Japan on the Japan-Russia peace treaty, but the Japanese side will need to meet the conditions. He explicitly requested a change in Japan’s attitude toward the conflict in Ukraine. A peace treaty with Russia will have great meaning for the security of Japan, which is surrounded by China, Russia, and North Korea, all nuclear-armed states. What will be the response of the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to President Putin’s remark? For example, ethnic cleansing by the Government of Ukraine involving discrimination, oppression, and massacres of Russian speakers in the country began as of the Euromaidan coup in 2014. The Russian armed forces invasion in February 2022 is nothing but a consequence of this. You have reiterated the view that the conflict began with the Russian armed forces invasion. Do you have any intention to change this view?

Minister Kamikawa: In March 2022, a month after launching the aggression against Ukraine, Russia unilaterally announced it has no intention of continuing the peace treaty negotiations with Japan on account of its sanctions against Russia, among other reasons.

However, the current situation was entirely caused by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Russia’s attempt to shift responsibility to Japan is quite unjust and absolutely unacceptable.

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundation of the international order and is totally unacceptable. Japan-Russia relations is in a difficult situation due to Russia’s aggression, and regrettably, I have nothing specific to report right now regarding the peace treaty negotiations. The Government of Japan will firmly maintain its policy of concluding a peace treaty through the resolution of the Northern Territories issue.