Press Conferences

Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Today, I have an announcement about a new passport.

Japanese passports are highly trusted, allowing travel to over 190 countries and regions without a visa. Internationally, however, there are calls for stronger measures against counterfeiting and forgery.

In response, the passport’s photo page will be made of plastic beginning March 24 of next year. It will look like this. This part will become plastic.

With this change, the time required between application and issuance will be a little longer, about two weeks. Therefore, we kindly ask that people apply for their passports early. The passports that people currently hold will remain valid until their expiration dates.

At the same time, online applications will become more convenient. People nationwide will be able to apply online, not only for renewals but also for new passports. For online applications, an original copy of the Family Register (KOSEKI TOHON) will no longer be necessary.

We will be increasing awareness of the new passport with help from Passpo-kun, the passport mascot. Someone should have been in the mascot costume and appearing here, but unfortunately, Passpo-kun could not make it today. We appreciate the understanding of the people. This topic was about the 2025 passport.

That is all from me at the outset.

NHK, Yonezu: My question is about a different matter from your opening remarks if you do not mind. There are reports that President-elect Trump of the U.S. offered to meet with Prime Minister Ishiba in the middle of next month. Could you please tell us the facts? Additionally, if the meeting is held before the inauguration ceremony, I believe the discussion topics will be limited. Please share with us your thoughts on the timing of the meeting. Furthermore, if the meeting does take place before the inauguration ceremony, what are your expectations for the meeting, such as building a personal relationship of trust? Thank you.

Minister Iwaya: Regarding a meeting between Prime Minister Ishiba and President-elect Trump, a telephone talk between them was held shortly after the presidential election. At that time, both sides already confirmed to meet and talk at the earliest possible opportunity. Coupled with the various recent developments, President-elect Trump’s side has also expressed a desire to meet with the Japanese Prime Minister at the earliest opportunity.

We are now in the process of negotiating or coordinating with the incoming U.S. administration about the specifics of the meeting, including when, where, and the format.

As our counterparty is also involved, I would like to refrain from disclosing the details. I hope that arrangements will be finalized as soon as possible, and to this end, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will make utmost efforts.

As this will be the first meeting between the two, I hope it will provide an opportunity to hold an in-depth exchange of views and send a clear message, domestically and to the international community, about the future direction of the Japan-U.S. Alliance and bilateral relations. MOFA will make efforts to ensure that the meeting provides such an opportunity.

Mainichi Shimbun, Kim: I would like to ask about Japan-China relations. As has been raised in numerous previous questions, last month the Government of China resumed the visa exemption for short-term visits by Japanese nationals, and I understand that MOFA is currently considering the relaxation of visa application procedures for Chinese nationals. While such measures are anticipated to increase mutual travel between Japan and China, it is also a fact that there are mounting political concerns between the two countries. How do you expect the revitalization of mutual travel between Japanese and Chinese nationals to affect the management of such concerns and issues between both countries? Thank you.

Minister Iwaya: I recently had an opportunity to attend a meeting called the Tokyo-Beijing Forum. A public opinion survey is conducted annually by Japan and China, which I believe was discussed at the forum. The survey results indicate that, at this stage, the public sentiment toward each other is not very favorable. Both China’s image of Japan and Japan’s image of China are very poor in terms of numbers. Hearing this has given me a renewed understanding that this is a very unfavorable and undesirable situation.

We welcome China’s recent resumption of the visa exemption. Indeed, a favorable or friendly relationship between the two countries is founded on exchanges between their people. Therefore, I believe it is essential to create an environment that facilitates mutual travel.

While Japan is currently conducting various reviews, we have not decided yet on any new relaxation measures at this stage. We intend to make considerations positively as much as possible.

MOFA will continue to strive to promote more active exchanges between the people of both countries.

Kyodo News, Sakaguchi: Since the new passport was mentioned in your opening remarks, I would like to take this opportunity to ask a question. I believe changes have been made to the design and other aspects. Could you share any impressions you have looking at the new passport?

Minister Iwaya: Well, this part will be made of plastic, which makes it harder or impossible to counterfeit or forge passports, so safety will be significantly enhanced. The changes will allow the Japanese people to use their passports with greater peace of mind. The design has not changed too much. That is my impression.

Independent Web Journal, Hamamoto: I have a question about Saudi Arabia and Japan celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations next year, in 2025. On December 2, Mr. INOUE Naoya, the unified champion of four professional boxing organizations in the super bantamweight division, signed a major sponsorship agreement estimated at 3 billion yen with “Riyadh Season,” the largest entertainment festival in Saudi Arabia hosted by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA). Mr. Inoue was named ambassador for the event. Regarding the agreement with Mr. Inoue, H.E. Turki Alalshikh, one of the princes of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the GEA, issued a statement, saying that, leading up to a big surprise in 2025, which seems to be Mr. Inoue’s fight in Saudi Arabia next year, it will build a relationship between Saudi Arabia and Japan that will epitomize the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations. Saudi Arabia, an oil producing country in the Middle East, is important for Japan. Looking ahead to next year, which marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, does the Government of Japan or MOFA have any surprises planned to welcome and celebrate the diplomatic and friendly relations with Saudi Arabia?

Minister Iwaya: Questions on a positive topic are not often asked. I appreciate your question.

Saudi Arabia is, needless to say, an important country for Japan. It is an essential partner for energy security, as well as a great power in the region, playing a key role in peace and stability in the Middle East.

Accordingly, we would like to take advantage of this milestone, next year’s 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations that you just mentioned, to promote mutual understanding and cooperation on a broader and deeper level. Both countries are soliciting proposals for various commemorative programs, and the two governments are also planning and reviewing programs with each other. Through these efforts, we intend to carry out anniversary programs next year, which will contribute to further strengthening the bilateral relationship.

Mr. Inoue signing a sponsorship agreement with “Riyadh Season” is good news. He is a source of pride for Japan, and we hope he will be successful in Saudi Arabia as well. This is a very positive piece of news, and we welcome it.

Kyodo News, Sakaguchi: Please allow me to ask a question on a different topic. I would like to ask about the potential leakage of PFAS from the U.S. Yokota Air Base in Tokyo. Officials from the Ministry of Defense (MOD), MOFA, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), and other agencies conducted an on-site inspection at the base today. Please explain the background leading to the investigation. Municipalities across Japan with U.S. military bases, including Okinawa and Yamaguchi Prefectures, have demanded an on-site inspection in succession. Please also explain how the Government intends to address such requests.

Minister Iwaya: First, regarding the background leading to the on-site inspection, on October 3 of this year, the U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) reported that water containing PFOS and other chemicals had leaked from a fire training area at Yokota Air Base. Subsequently, the Government shared additional information obtained from the U.S. side with local governments on October 16. On November 5, MOD collected water samples near a drainage in the southwestern area of Yokota Air Base and confirmed that the levels were below the provisional guideline value. The Government has taken various such measures.

Against this backdrop, based on requests received from surrounding municipalities on November 20, the Government has been coordinating with the U.S. side regarding on-site inspections.

As a result, this morning, officials from relevant ministries and agencies, including MOD, MOFA of course, as well as MOE, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and local governments, conducted an on-site inspection at Yokota Air Base. They inspected the fire training area where the leakage occurred and received an explanation from the U.S. side about the situation at the time.

Regarding our responses going forward, we understand that local residents are concerned about issues surrounding PFOS and other chemicals. We will continue to coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies and the U.S. in working to ensure effective environmental measures inside and outside USFJ facilities and areas.

Likewise, for other regions, we will listen to their requests and situations and consider our responses.