Press Conferences

Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have announcements at the outset.

From November 12 to 18, I visited Peru and Ukraine for my first overseas visit since assuming office. I traveled a distance of approximately 41,000 kilometers, equivalent of circling the globe. Although it was an intense schedule of seven days and one overnight stay, I was able to hold all of my planned meetings, and I believe it was a successful visit.

First, at the APEC Ministerial Meeting in Peru, I emphasized promoting a free and fair trade and investment environment, strengthening food security, and promoting women’s economic empowerment, and renewed my determination to contribute to the sustainable growth and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.

I also held meetings with the foreign ministers of the U.S., the ROK, and Peru. In addition, I held informal talks with the foreign ministers of other six countries. We established personal relationships and confirmed our commitment to strengthen bilateral relations and work together in addressing global challenges.

I then crossed the Atlantic and visited Ukraine. The issue of Ukraine is one of the most critical challenges in current international affairs. Therefore, ever since I assumed office, I had wanted to visit the country as soon as possible. During this visit, I witnessed firsthand the scars of Russia’s aggression in Bucha. Furthermore, I held meetings with key Ukrainian officials, including President Zelenskyy and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sybiha. I believe productive discussions took place at the meetings, including on the manner of strengthening future cooperation considering DPRK troops’ participation in combat against Ukraine.

As soon as we left Ukraine, Russia launched attacks on energy facilities and other infrastructure across Ukraine. I understand they were the largest-scale attacks in the past three months, making me realize the severity of the ongoing aggression.

Any unilateral change in the status quo by force must not be tolerated anywhere in the world. I renewed my determination to closely cooperate with the international community and Ukraine to bring a just and lasting peace to Ukraine as soon as possible.

That is all from me.

Kyodo News, Sakaguchi: I understand you visited Ukraine, as you just mentioned. The situation in Ukraine is becoming increasingly complex with North Korea and Russia enhancing their military cooperation. What are your thoughts on the need for further sanctions against Russia and North Korea?

Minister Iwaya: I would like to refrain from answering based on speculation about Japan’s future responses at this moment. In the first place, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundation of the international order.

Japan strongly condemns the recent developments in military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, North Korea’s involvement in the aggression, and Russia’s procurement and use of ballistic missiles, weapons, and ammunition from North Korea.

We are deeply concerned with these developments, which will not only lead to further deterioration of the situation in Ukraine, but also affect the security of the region surrounding Japan.

Japan will work closely with the international community to ensure the full implementation of relevant United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions and to restore a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible. The new sanctions and other measures you asked about, we will consider in close coordination with the international community.

NHK, Yonezu: I have a question regarding Ukraine. It has been reported that President Biden of the U.S. authorized Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles supplied by the U.S. for attacks in Russian territory. Reports state that such an attack is forecast to take place soon, and Russia is opposing the authorization. Please share your opinion based on your visit to Ukraine.

Minister Iwaya: I am aware of the news reports that you have just mentioned, but I would like to refrain from commenting on every report. The Government will continue to closely follow related developments, including the new circumstances of the war in Ukraine and its impact on the situation.

During my visit to Ukraine, we exchanged views on the country’s recent war situation. While I would like to refrain from disclosing the details of those discussions, we concurred on further strengthening information sharing and cooperation on the security environment of the two countries.

There will continue to be opportunities to discuss this matter in the international arena, including during the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting next week. At this meeting, Japan intends to engage in steady discussions based on the latest situation and work closely with the international community to address these challenges.

Nikkei Shimbun, Baba: I would like to ask about the incoming Trump administration. It has been announced that Prime Minister Ishiba will not be meeting with President-elect Trump concurrently with the Prime Minister’s visit to South America. As various countries rush to establish connections with the incoming Trump administration, how do you think Japan should go about doing this? Additionally, could you tell us whether you ever had any contact or meetings with Marco Rubio who Mr. Trump named as the next Secretary of State?

Minister Iwaya: Prime Minister Ishiba held a telephone talk with President-elect Trump, and the two leaders concurred to meet at the earliest possible opportunity. However, I understand that the Trump team recently explained that there has been an influx of requests from various world leaders to meet with President-elect Trump, and also that due to legal restrictions, President-elect Trump would not be holding meetings with any country at this time.

Both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Japan’s diplomatic missions have steadily built relationships with key figures in the Republican Party. Building on such relationships, we would like to continue to maintain communication with President-elect Trump’s team.

Sorry, what was your other question again?

Nikkei Shimbun, Baba: Your relationship with Mr. Rubio who has been named the next Secretary of State.

Minister Iwaya: I have not had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Marco Rubio before. I hope to do so at the earliest possible opportunity.

At the recent Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on the margins of the APEC Ministerial Meeting in Peru, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken stated that he would ensure a firm handover of duties to the next Secretary of State.

I hope to set a meeting as soon as possible with Mr. Rubio, my counterpart in the upcoming administration, and build a strong relationship of trust and cooperation.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Uemura: I would like to ask about the UN CEDAW’s recommendation regarding the Imperial House Law, which stipulates that only male offspring in the male line are allowed to succeed to the throne. The Government of Japan requested the Committee to delete the recommendation that calls for amending the Imperial House Law to guarantee the equality of women and men. Please tell us whether the Committee has since agreed to removing the recommendation. If not, what is the Government’s opinion on the Committee’s response? Could you also explain how the Government will address this issue going forward?

Minister Iwaya: Regarding your question on the succession to the throne, we attempted to answer a question at the Committee’s meeting on October 17 to the effect that “The system of succession to the throne in Japan is a matter related to the foundation of a State. Considering the purport of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which aims to eliminate discrimination against women, it is not appropriate for the Committee to raise this issue in relation to the Imperial House Law.”

Following the meeting, Japan conveyed its strong regret to the Committee, along with Japan’s position that, “as eligibility for succession to the throne is not included in fundamental human rights, the Imperial House Law’s limitation of eligibility to male offspring in the male line does not constitute ‘discrimination against women’ under Article 1 of the Convention.”

It is very regrettable that, as you pointed out, despite this, references to the succession to the throne were included in the concluding observations. In response to their concluding observations published on October 29, Japan lodged a strong protest with the Committee and requested the deletion of the recommendation.

In any case, we have repeatedly stated that it is not originally appropriate for the Committee to raise this issue in relation to the Imperial House Law and is unacceptable for Japan. We will continue to request the deletion of the recommendation.

We are and will continue to request so to the Committee. We have not received a response from the Committee at this stage.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: With more Israeli leaders opposing the Two-State solution and some calling for annexing the West Bank of Palestine. Japan meanwhile supports the establishment of the Palestinian state but doesn’t recognize it saying that unless the peace process progresses, Japan will not recognize it. How could Japan encourage the Israelis to return to the Two-State solution while at the same time you reject to recognize a Palestinian state?

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

So this leads to the case that Japan will decide on the recognition of Palestine as a state, taking into account also the perspective of whether it can contribute to progress in the peace process. In other words, unless discussions on the “two-state solution” make progress and it becomes clearer, I believe it will be difficult to make an appropriate decision. Japan supports a “two-state solution” and would like to support efforts toward that. We would like to make efforts and provide support to our fullest extent to advance crucial peace process. In this context, we will continue to comprehensively consider the issue and timing of the recognition.

Dong-a Ilbo, Kim: I would like to ask about the memorial event of Sado Island Gold Mines. An official of the Government of Japan previously stated that the memorial event is planned to be held in autumn. The expected season is approaching, and it has been reported in local newspapers. I am interested to know who will be participating on the Japanese side and details of their announcement. I would also like to ask if the event will be held annually. Thank you.

Minister Iwaya: In July this year, “Sado Island Gold Mines” was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List by consensus of all Member States of the World Heritage Committee at the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi, India.

I am aware that the ceremony you mentioned is a related event that will be held by an executive committee comprised of local governments and civilian organizations involved in the inscription, in line with the statement made by the Japanese delegation at the session.

As such, I ask that any questions about the arrangements be directed to the local executive committee that is hosting this event.

The attendees from the Government of Japan are being considered at this time.

As the Diet session will be starting soon, the schedule has to be adjusted with that as well. The attendees have not been decided at this stage. It is currently being coordinated.

I am aware that the event will be held annually in the site, as the Japanese delegation noted in its statement at the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee this July.

Asahi Shimbun, Satomi: Welcome back. I would like to ask about Prime Minister Ishiba not making it in time for the group photo of the recent APEC meeting. Quite a number of critical comments stand out on social media. The reason explained was that Prime Minister Ishiba got caught in a traffic congestion caused by an accident while returning from offering flowers to the grave of former President Fujimori. I assume that there are Japan’s circumstances of wanting to schedule a visit to a grave of a Nikkei president into a tight schedule. Please tell us the reasoning behind this decision, and how you assess the fact that the Japanese leader does not appear in the group photo.

Minister Iwaya: In short, I believe it was very regrettable that the Prime Minister did not make it in time for the group photo. However, as you just mentioned, the Prime Minister was caught in a traffic congestion caused by an accident. It was beyond anyone’s control, and it could not be helped. We do not believe that missing the photo session at the conclusion of the meeting will have any impact.

Prime Minister Ishiba attended the sessions of the APEC Leaders’ Meeting over two days and steadily conveyed Japan’s position on the respective themes. I believe the Prime Minister fully demonstrated his presence.

In addition, as you are aware, the Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with various leaders, including U.S. and Chinese leaders, and built a relationship of trust between the leaders.

It was indeed very meaningful that the Prime Minister visited the grave of former President Fujimori, a Nikkei president. While the traffic congestion that occurred unexpectedly due to an accident resulted in the Prime Minister not making the final photo session, we do not believe this had any impact on the outcomes of the meeting or on the relationships he built with other leaders.

NHK, Yonezu: My question is in connection with what was just mentioned. At the Japan-China Summit Meeting held in Peru, the two leaders confirmed their intention to arrange mutual visits by their respective foreign ministers as soon as possible, as well as ministerial high-level dialogues. Around when would you like to visit China? There is talk that the extraordinary Diet session will run until December 21. Are you considering a visit before the end of the year? Please share your plans.

Minister Iwaya: First, nothing has been decided at this stage about when either of us will be visiting. As you just indicated, at the recent Japan-China Summit Meeting, the two leaders confirmed to continue high-level Japan-China dialogues. They confirmed to make arrangements to realize visits by the respective foreign ministers, including holding the Japan-China High-Level People-to-People and Cultural Exchange Dialogue and Economic Dialogue at an appropriate time. I hope to realize them as soon as possible and will strenuously make efforts to make arrangements.

In any case, we are committed to making efforts to comprehensively promote a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests” and build “constructive and stable Japan-China relations.” To this end, we would like to have close communication at all levels.

Kyodo News, Sakaguchi: I have a follow-up question. For people-to-people exchanges, I believe various discussions have taken place between Japan and China regarding the exemption for short-term visas. Some reports suggest that the exemption will resume in the near future. Has the Government of Japan been contacted about such an exemption? I believe there have been growing calls for the exemption from the business community. Based on the negotiation process so far, please share with us again the Government’s view on the need for the exemption.

Minister Iwaya: We are aware of the reports you referred to.

In March 2020, the Government of China provisionally suspended the visa exemption for short-term stays in China of up to 15 days for Japanese nationals, citing the spread of COVID-19, and the visa exemption has not been resumed as of now.

Japan has repeatedly requested China at various levels for the early resumption of the visa exemption and will continue to request an early resumption.

I stated earlier that various high-level dialogues will be conducted between Japan and China. We intend to utilize these opportunities to continue to request and realize the exemption.

NHK, Yonezu: Excuse me for my many questions. I would like to ask one more question related to China. This morning, a vehicle drove into a crowd near an elementary school in Hunan Province, China. In this incident, I understand no Japanese nationals were affected. There have been a series of incidents in China recently involving vehicles driving into crowds or attacks occurring in places where many people are gathered. Could you update us on the current efforts to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in China and on any challenges you are facing?

Minister Iwaya: We are aware that, as you indicated, an incident occurred this morning in which a vehicle drove into a crowd near an elementary school in Changde City, Hunan Province. We confirmed with Chinese authorities and have been informed that Japanese nationals were not among the victims at this time.

Following this incident, consul emails were sent to alert Japanese residents.

Every time similar incidents have occurred, consul emails have been sent to provide alerts as needed to Japanese residents in China. MOFA will continue to exert every effort to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals.