Press Conferences

Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Yesterday, I was reappointed as Minister for Foreign Affairs of the second Ishiba Cabinet, and I would like to ask for your continued support.

From this evening, November 12, to November 14, I will be visiting Peru to attend the APEC Ministerial Meeting.

At the meeting, discussions are to take place on traditional themes, including promotion of free and open trade and investment and support for a multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, as well as on new themes, including trade and investment issues, global issues, and the economic empowerment of women.

On this occasion, I also hope to hold as many individual meetings as possible with the foreign ministers of participating countries.

In addition, it was decided that officials in charge of cross-border economic affairs will be newly appointed to five diplomatic missions in four countries, primarily with the Latin American and Caribbean market in mind.

The Latin American and the Caribbean region has many food-exporting and mineral-producing countries. It is an attractive growing market. The region has very high expectations for Japanese investments, and we view that Japanese companies have a significant role to play.

We believe the appointment of these officials will help us to establish a structure that can more meticulously and precisely meet the needs of Japanese companies interested in expanding their businesses into the Global South, alongside the regions to which such officials have already been appointed.

We will continue to leverage our network of overseas diplomatic missions throughout the world, including the officials in charge of cross-border economic affairs, and proactively carry out economic diplomacy.

That is all from me at the outset.

NHK, Shimizu: I would like to ask about your visit to Peru that you just mentioned. This will be your first overseas visit since assuming office. How do you regard this opportunity to hold in-person meetings with ministers and other officials from participating countries? Could you also update us on the arrangements being made for bilateral meetings? Additionally, I imagine that there will be opportunities to exchange views on current severe international and regional affairs. Please explain your intentions for the role Japan will aim to play in these affairs.

Minister Iwaya: As you indicated, this will be my first overseas visit. Amid a rapidly changing international situation, I will continue to contribute actively and proactively to peace and prosperity in the international community, while firmly protecting our national interests and leveraging Japan’s diplomatic achievements to date.

Accordingly, at the APEC Ministerial Meeting, which, as I mentioned earlier, has added the new theme of economic development to traditional themes, I will steadily convey Japan’s position and demonstrate our unchanging commitment to economic development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Furthermore, regarding bilateral meetings, the officials I will be meeting are currently being coordinated, and at this time, I cannot say with certainty whom I will be meeting. Through as many bilateral meetings as possible, I intend to deepen discussions, including on regional affairs.

Regional matters include, of course, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, North Korea’s involvement in this aggression, the increasingly tense situation in the Middle East, and the very critical humanitarian situation there. Such events are occurring around the world. I hope to exchange views with participating countries to calm the situation. In addition, Japan, as part of its diplomacy, will make efforts to strongly urge all parties and parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint and comply with international law, including international humanitarian law, and to further spread such international public opinion.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Uemura: The second Ishiba Cabinet was inaugurated yesterday. Could you tell us again which diplomatic issues the Cabinet intends to give priority to? Please also explain how Japan intends to engage U.S. President-elect Trump, improve relations with China considering the progress on the treated water issue, and strengthen relations with the Republic of Korea (ROK) with which a favorable relationship has continued? Thank you.

Minister Iwaya: Please sit down.

The international situation is changing rapidly every day, with no prospect for the calming of crises including the situations in the Middle East and Ukraine. In this context, I believe that the foremost mission of Japanese diplomacy is not only to preserve peace in Japan through diplomatic efforts, but also to make every effort to achieve peace in the international community. For this reason, I believe contributing to peace and prosperity in the international community is the top mission of Japanese diplomacy.

In that respect, as I have always stated, I attach importance to three items. The first is further strengthening the response and deterrence capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, which is the cornerstone of Japan’s diplomacy and security. The second is further enhancing and developing the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” vision. The third is promoting fine-tuned cooperation with the Global South. Japan will make efforts based on these three pillars.

Needless to say, the Japan-U.S. Alliance remains a top priority of the foreign and security policies of the Ishiba administration, and we will seek to build strong relationships of trust and cooperation with the incoming U.S. administration, including with President-elect Trump. Once my U.S. counterpart is decided, I hope to meet him or her too as soon as possible and build relationships of trust and cooperation.

Regarding Japan-China relations, our basic approach is to comprehensively advance a Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests. While there are various issues between Japan and China, including the matter you referred to earlier, the two countries have concurred, including during my recent telephone talk with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, to build constructive and stable Japan-China relations from a broad perspective. As such, we will work to advance our bilateral relationship forward in line with this broad approach and policy.

We also consider Japan-ROK relations to be an important bilateral relationship. I will work to further advance and develop the Japan-ROK relationship that has improved between the former Kishida administration and President Yoon’s administration. In particular, next year will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the ROK. Through various programs to commemorate this anniversary, we hope to further broaden and strengthen the bilateral relationship.

Kyodo News, Sakaguchi: My question slightly overlaps with the previous question. You have long been engaged in foreign and defense affairs, including serving as Minister of Defense. Amid an uncertain global situation, you will be making your first overseas visit since assuming office as Foreign Minister. My first question is, what kind of role do you wish to play in advancing Ishiba diplomacy? On the other hand, the second Ishiba Cabinet, which was inaugurated yesterday, is in an unstable position as a minority government. Please share if there are any challenges in advancing diplomacy under such circumstances.

Minister Iwaya: As you noted, to date, I have only served in the Government in the fields of diplomacy and defense. I have spent my political career with the view that diplomacy and defense are among the most critical issues of state affairs.

When I assumed office, I mentioned my senior from my home prefecture, former Foreign Minister SHIGEMITSU Mamoru. Mr. Shigemitsu was the Foreign Minister who, aboard USS Missouri, signed Japan’s instrument of surrender. Indeed, diplomacy carries a profound mission and responsibility, so much so that a failure in diplomacy can significantly alter or impact the long-term grand plan of a nation.

Drawing on my limited experience, I will commit myself to carrying out diplomacy in this challenging era with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel.

I will be leaving for my first overseas visit today. In line with the approach I just mentioned, I intend to proactively meet and build relationships of trust with my counterparts from various countries. I will work to fulfill the intrinsic role of diplomacy, which is to engage in continuous dialogue to foster collaborative and cooperative relationships and ease tensions as much as possible.

Furthermore, as I have stated numerous times, I believe that continuity and stability are essential to diplomacy and security, and that this view is shared also by most members of opposition parties.

At present, we must operate as a minority government, and we face a challenging political situation in running the administration. However, diplomacy and security are, in particular, areas that must be pursued based on the broadest possible consensus transcending party lines. I will make every effort to ensure that such a broad consensus can be built.

TASS Russian News Agency, Agafonov: I would like to ask about Japan-Russia relations. On November 7, at a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club, President Putin of Russia indicated readiness to build relations with Japan. He stated, “Despite Japan’s imposition of certain sanctions, we have refrained from retaliation,” “We stand prepared to cultivate relations with Japan,” and “We are ready; we welcome your return.” Please share the Government’s thoughts on the remarks and intentions for future diplomacy with Russia.

Minister Iwaya: We are aware of these remarks made by President Putin at the Valdai Discussion Club, as you mentioned, through news reports.

As far as the reports suggest, President Putin may have made somewhat positive remarks. Notwithstanding this, we view that the current situation in Ukraine is caused by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a clear violation of international law and a violation of the UN Charter. If the President was implying that Japan-Russia relations are not going well because of reasons attributed to Japan, then I believe the remarks are inaccurate.

To achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible, Japan intends to continue to provide strong support for Ukraine in coordination with the G7 and other members of the international community. Unless the situation changes, we consider that we have no choice but to impose severe sanctions against Russia.

At the same time, there are other outstanding issues between Japan and Russia, and we believe it is necessary to communicate with our neighboring country of Russia. We will continue to address them appropriately from the standpoint of what will contribute to Japan’s national interests in the context of Japan’s overall diplomacy.

NHK, Shimizu: My question is on Russia-North Korea relations. North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun reported that General Secretary Kim signed a decree to ratify a treaty that specifies mutual military support with Russia in the event of a contingency. What is your reaction to this? Furthermore, on the issue of the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, what is your current understanding of their participation in combat against Ukraine? I would also like to hear your thoughts on countermeasures, including additional sanctions.

Minister Iwaya: Before I answer your question, I would like to go back and respond to the earlier question from the TASS Russian News Agency. In other words, Japan’s policy and approach have not changed. Regarding the Northern Territories issue, we will continue to uphold our policy of resolving the issue of the attribution of the Four Islands and concluding a peace treaty.

Then, regarding the question just now, we are aware of the North Korean report you noted.

The Government is not in a position to explain the content of an agreement between Russia and North Korea. We are deeply concerned that the recent developments in military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including deployment of North Korean troops to Russia and Russia’s procurement of ballistic missiles, other weapons, and ammunition from North Korea, which will not only lead to further deterioration of the situation in Ukraine, but also affect the security of the region surrounding Japan.
At this time, we have confirmed reliable information suggesting that North Korea has deployed several thousand troops to Russia. The Government of Japan is closely following the present developments with serious concern, including the possibility that these deployed troops will become complicit in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. While there are various reports, I will refrain from further comment at this time. We are closely following the situation with serious concern.

We will continue to gather and analyze information, along with working closely with the international community to ensure the full implementation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible.

NHK, Shimizu: I would like to ask about the new U.S. administration. Several U.S. media outlets have reported that President-elect Trump is considering appointing Republican Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, who would be your counterpart. If you have any thoughts on this, could you share?

Minister Iwaya: As the Secretary of State would be my counterpart, I am closely following this personnel decision with keen interest.

While I am aware of the reports you mentioned, I understand it has not yet been officially announced.

I would like to refrain from responding about the personnel decisions of another government based on speculation. I will continue to closely follow the personnel assignments of the incoming Trump administration with keen interest.

In any case, once an official announcement is made, I hope to meet with my counterpart as soon as possible to build a relationship of trust and make efforts to further enhance and develop the Japan-U.S. Alliance.