Press Conferences

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

The first topic is about my visit to China.

I will visit Beijing, China tomorrow, December 25.

During this visit, I will hold a meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi in person for the first time and also hold the second Japan-China High-Level People-to-People and Cultural Exchange Dialogue.

The relationship with China is one of the most important bilateral relationships for Japan. Japan and China share various potentials for improved ties as well as many challenges and concerns, and both countries have immense responsibilities for the peace and prosperity of the region and the international community.

In November, Prime Minister Ishiba and President Xi Jinping confirmed that both Japan and China will make efforts to further strengthen communication in a wide range of fields, reduce challenges and concerns, and increase cooperation and coordination, building on the broad direction of comprehensively promoting a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests” and building “constructive and stable Japan-China relations.”

I also intend to have candid and in-depth discussions with Foreign Minister Wang Yi building on this direction.

Minister: The other announcement is about the situation in Gaza and assistance disbursed from the supplementary budget.

In Gaza, fighting has become protracted, and there is still an ongoing critical humanitarian situation.

To improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza under these circumstances, Japan has decided to provide additional assistance of 13.5 billion yen, or approximately USD 100 million, in assistance for Palestine, including Gaza, from the supplementary budget for FY2024.

The decided assistance will be provided through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and international organizations, and cover a wide range of areas, including medical care, health, sanitation, food, financial support for Palestine, rubble removal, waste disposal, and infrastructure development. Japan remains committed to making active efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

That is all from me at the outset.

NHK, Yonezu: The extraordinary session of the Diet will close today. Could you share your thoughts on the closing of this extraordinary session that the Government embarked on as a minority ruling party? During this session, a supplementary budget was passed with support from some opposition parties, and discussions were conducted on the issue of politics and funds, the 1.03-million-yen income threshold, among other matters. Please also share with us your view on the Diet discussions’ progress amid the changes in the dynamics between the ruling and opposition parties.

Minister Iwaya: I think that it is not appropriate to respond about the overall administration of the Diet as a member of the Government. Speaking as a politician, as I stated before, I believe the situation now is that, since we have become a minority ruling party, we have to listen to the opinions of the opposition parties. Otherwise, we cannot pass both the budget and legislation.

Conversely, the opposition parties also need to take and share the responsibility for administering state affairs with us. That is the current situation.

While it was a short session, I believe the ruling and opposition parties were able to conduct extensive discussions during this session. Although there are some remaining issues, both sides have made significant efforts to compromise and find solutions, for the revision of the Political Funds Control Act and the removal of the 1.03-million-yen income threshold you just mentioned, albeit this issue has not been completely resolved. In this way, we are gradually moving toward a more deliberative Diet, and this is fostering a new political culture of deliberative politics.
Personally, I think this is the direction we should be heading toward.

Similarly, for diplomacy or security policy, I believe carefully explaining the Government’s position, listening closely to the opinions of the Diet including those of the opposition parties, and building a broad consensus as much as possible will contribute to providing impetus for Japanese diplomacy. As such, we will continue to make such efforts.

Kyodo News, Sakaguchi: I would like to ask a follow-up question. The Government has become a minority ruling party. I believe this was because the party was defeated in the House of Representatives election in October. I suspect that the factional slush funds issue was a reason behind that defeat. Regarding this issue, the bills related to political reform are expected to be passed soon. On the other hand, deliberation at the House of Councillors’ Deliberative Council on Political Ethics of the 18 Abe faction members who did not declare their political funds has been postponed until next year. The ruling party may have wanted to resolve this issue by the end of the year. How do you view this outcome?

Minister Iwaya: I believe it is not necessarily appropriate for me, as a member of the Government, to comment on the administration of the Diet.

That being said, my thoughts again as a politician are that, despite some issues remaining, the bills related to political reform initiated in response to the issue of politics and funds, saw a significant level of consensus and were passed, and this represents a major accomplishment.

Regarding the remaining issues, I believe they should be resolved based on further deliberations as quickly as possible. While it seems that the deliberation by the House of Representatives’ Deliberative Council on Political Ethics is mostly complete, the deliberation by the House of Councillors’ Council is not fully complete, partly due to the Diet’s schedule. I hope that the relevant Diet members will fulfill their responsibility to explain themselves thoroughly, not only during the opportunities mentioned but through all available opportunities.

Independent Web Journal, Hamamoto: I would like to ask about the Russia-Ukraine war.

Reuters reported on December 18 that Retired Army Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, who has been named the special envoy for Ukraine and Russia under the second Trump administration, is reportedly scheduled to visit Europe and Kyiv in January.

Mr. Kellogg will reportedly visit to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war as soon as possible. In an interview on FOX News, Mr. Kellogg stated that now is the perfect time for a ceasefire. On December 16, you held a meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister Svyrydenko of Ukraine, during which you pledged continued support for Ukraine as well as close communication between the two countries. However, it is clear from Mr. Kellogg’s remarks and the moves of European countries that preparations are underway to adapt to “Trump 2.0.” It appears that the U.S. will step back while expecting Europe to deploy peacekeeping forces and forcing Japan to provide financial support. What is your interpretation of the Ishiba administration and you for the diplomatic strategy of the second Trump administration, and how do you plan to expedite the realization of peace? Please share your opinions.

Minister Iwaya: I am aware that there are various reports. However, as the incoming U.S. Trump administration has not yet been inaugurated, it is premature to speculate what policy on Ukraine and other diplomatic policies the administration will adopt after it takes office.

That being said, I believe the point you just raised about Japan being forced to bear financial burdens for Ukraine does not apply.

Of course, there is nothing better than the early restoration of peace or a ceasefire. However, this relies on the premise and realization of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. To that end, we intend to coordinate closely with the U.S. and the international community to determine the appropriate course of action. In the meantime, we believe Japan must continue to strongly support Ukraine, and at the same time, continue its sanctions against Russia.

With Ukraine bracing for a harsh winter or already in the midst of it, Japan has provided winterization assistance, including power generators. We intend to extend such fine-tuned assistance, among other assistance, to fully support Ukraine.