Press Conferences

Yomiuri Shimbun, Oyabu: I have a question about the Middle East. It has been a month since a field hospital opened in the Gaza Strip, supported by Japan and other donors. Please tell us about the activity situation of the hospital, including the number of injured accepted.

Ms. KOBAYASHI Maki, Press Secretary: Amid prolonged fighting in the Gaza Strip, we are deeply concerned about a more severe critical humanitarian situation, including growing need for medical care. In southern Gaza, the patients are not only people from the region, but also internal evacuees and the injured evacuated from the north region. Securing and expanding health services in southern Gaza were urgent issues.

Therefore, Japan has been providing support through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from the FY2023 Supplementary Budget. As part of the initiative, Japan has supported a field hospital, which was set up by the ICRC in Rafah, southern Gaza, on May 9. Japan is providing this assistance with other donors.

Just yesterday, we reposted an ICRC post about the hospital on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) account on X (formerly Twitter). As you can see from the post, the hospital was set up on May 9, and has 60 beds, an emergency outpatient clinic, as well as maternity and gynecology, neonatal and pediatrics, and other services. Until June 9, one month after opening, the hospital has treated approximately 5,700 outpatients and emergency patients, hospitalized approximately 240 people, operated on approximately 160 patients, and assisted in childbirth in approximately 40 cases.

The situation on the ground is extremely fluid. Japan will continue to provide assistance in cooperation with the countries concerned and international organizations to support people in need of assistance based on the needs on the ground.

Jiji Press, Murakami: I would like to ask about the case of a U.S. military personnel who sexually assaulted a girl in Okinawa last December, and was indicted this March. Yesterday, Okinawa Governor Tamaki revealed that the MOFA Okinawa Liaison Office has not informed Okinawa Prefecture until yesterday, June 25, that Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Okano had lodged protest to U.S. Ambassador Emanuel and asked him to prevent a recurrence of the incident on March 27, as the U.S. military personnel was indicted. Why did it take around three months for MOFA to inform the prefecture of the details of the case?

Press Secretary Kobayashi: Let me start the explanation with some prerequisite information that overlaps with your question. We understand that the suspected U.S. military personnel was indicted by the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office on March 27 after the Okinawa Prefectural Police and the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office conducted the necessary investigations.

It is extremely regrettable that this incident occurred. As you just mentioned, in response to the indictment in March, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Okano expressed regret over the incident to U.S. Ambassador Emanuel and requested that discipline would be strengthened and thorough measures would be taken to prevent a recurrence.

We understand that the U.S. also takes this case seriously and has cooperated with local authorities in their investigation and questioning of the suspect.

Regarding your question about conveying information on the incident, MOFA would like to refrain from commenting due to the matters concerning the activities of investigative authorities.

We understand that the prosecution has been carefully making a judgmental decision in accordance with Article 47 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, for each case. Specifically, we are aware that they determine whether, to what extent, and by what way to make such matters public, taking into consideration the necessity of the public interest, the impact on the reputation and privacy of the persons concerned, and whether and to what extent the disclosure will affect investigations and trials, including those in the future.

MOFA is also responding to the case based on the judgment of the prosecution.

In any case, incidents and accidents caused by U.S. military personnel provoke great concern to people in local communities, and this is unacceptable. MOFA will continue to take various occasions to request the U.S. side to ensure the prevention of incidents and accidents.

Asahi Shimbun, Saito: In this case, ultimately, may I understand that it is not MOFA’s proactive decision, and that MOFA carried out the will of the investigative authorities?

Press Secretary Kobayashi: As I explained earlier, I would like to refrain from answering questions about the communication of information on the incident, due to the matter concerning the activities of investigative authorities.

Asahi Shimbun, Saito: What about MOFA?

Press Secretary Kobayashi: I would like to refrain from answering on the matter.

Okinawa Times, Arakaki: I would like to ask just one thing. You just explained minutely about communication of information. Please tell us about MOFA’s view on whether communication was appropriate in this case.

Press Secretary Kobayashi: I believe your question refers to the communication of information and the implementation of reporting procedures based on the Japan-U.S. Joint Commission Agreement. We have been responding with appropriate judgement, in accordance with the specifics of each individual case. We believe that a careful response is required in cases including this case in particular, where the privacy of the victim is concerned. Therefore, we consider that it is not necessary to report cases to all the relevant parties.