Press Conferences

Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have some announcements at the outset. I returned from the U.S. yesterday. During my visit, I believe I was able to build relationships of trust with the members of the new Trump administration immediately after it took office. We will continue to strive to maintain close communication with the U.S. administration at a variety of levels.

In addition, the 217th ordinary session of the Diet opened today. A short while ago, I outlined Japan’s foreign policy at the plenary sessions of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.

As the security environment surrounding Japan becomes increasingly severe, I will continue to make every effort to foster a broad and shared understanding of foreign and security policies across party lines.

At the same time, I will work hard to carry out my diplomatic activities. Later today, I will be holding a meeting and working dinner with H.E. Mr. Abdullah Allafi, Vice President of the Presidential Council of the State of Libya, during his visit to Japan as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

With Vice President Allafi, I intend to deepen our cooperation to further strengthen Japan-Libya relations and exchange candid views on Libya’s political process, public security situation, and regional affairs.

That is all from me.

NHK, Yonezu: I would like to ask a question related to your opening remarks about the U.S. In a Fox News interview, U.S. President Trump indicated that he would seek to reach out to General Secretary Kim Jong-un of the DPRK. During his first presidency, Mr. Trump held the first U.S.-the DPRK Summit Meeting in history, with a view to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, among other objectives. What is your opinion on Mr. Trump’s latest remark? There are outstanding issues of concern between Japan and the DPRK, including addressing the issues of nuclear weapons and missiles and their development, and the resolution of the abductions issue. How does Japan intend to engage with Mr. Kim Jong-un?

Minister Iwaya: I am aware of the remark made by President Trump, which you pointed out. We expect that the new U.S. administration and President Trump will also demonstrate leadership on the issues surrounding the DPRK.

Coordination with the U.S. and the international community is indispensable for dealing with the DPRK, including the abductions issue and nuclear and missile development. In this regard, I had an in-depth exchange of views with senior officials of the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Rubio during my visit. Japan will continue to build a strong relationship of trust and cooperation with the Trump administration and seek to maintain close communication in dealing with the DPRK as well. As a matter of course, this will also require close consultations through the Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) framework.

Needless to say, Japan’s basic policy toward the DPRK is to normalize relations with the DPRK, in accordance with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, through comprehensively resolving the outstanding issues of concern, such as the abductions, nuclear and missile issues, as well as settlement of the unfortunate past. There is no change at all to this approach.

Prime Minister Ishiba too has stated that he will return to the starting point of the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration and reach out to and engage with Chairman Kim Jong-un, so as not to miss this opportunity.

In order to achieve the return of all abductees at the earliest possible date and resolve the issues I just mentioned, the Government of Japan, under Prime Minister Ishiba’s strong determination, will spare no effort in taking the most effective measures toward that goal.

Kyodo News, Ayukawa: My question is also related to the U.S. I understand that you held a meeting with Prime Minister Ishiba this morning. The Prime Minister himself has stated that a Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting is being finalized. Three days ago, the Prime Minister stated that he expects it will not take very long to finalize the arrangements. Could you update us on the situation?

Minister Iwaya: This morning, I briefed Prime Minister Ishiba onour meeting, or rather my recent visit to the U.S.. On this occasion, I also naturally consulted the Prime Minister about the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting.

The U.S. Trump administration and we have already concurred to hold the Summit Meeting at the earliest possible time, and it is now being arranged based on the schedules of the two sides.

In Japan, the Diet session has started, and in the U.S., a new administration has just taken office. Under these circumstances, we hope to closely coordinate our schedules and finalize the date as soon as possible. If it materializes, to ensure that the first Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting is meaningful, we will be communicating closely with the new U.S. administration, including Secretary of State Rubio.

Jiji Press, Kawakami: I would like to change topics and ask about the Prime Minister’s statement on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. During a recent press occasion, Chief Representative Saito of Komeito referred to the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo (Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations) and stated, “As a country aspiring for peace, it will be meaningful for Japan to issue a formal statement on this milestone year amid a very severe situation.” What are your thoughts on this remark? Please also share with us your thoughts on how the discussions should proceed with relevant parties, including Komeito.

Minister Iwaya: As I have stated every time, the Ishiba Cabinet has upheld in their entirety the positions of previous cabinets on history, including previous statements by prime ministers, and will continue to uphold them.

That being said, a decision has not been made at this time on whether a new statement will be issued. From now on, I think that this will be considered from a variety of perspectives while taking into account the developments thus far.

In any case, the international community is facing turbulent times, and in this sense, we are at a major turning point. As the free and open international order and the rule of law are being undermined, we consider it necessary to seize various opportunities in 2025 to send out future-oriented messages aimed at world peace and prosperity.

Therefore, I believe it is necessary to carefully consider whether this will take the form of a statement or not, and if a statement will be issued, how it will be issued and when it would be appropriate. At this time, we have not determined when this will be decided.

Nikkei Shimbun, Baba: I would like to ask about the incidents involving Japanese nationals in China. Yesterday, on January 23, a court in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China handed down a death sentence to the defendant in the case where a Japanese mother and child were attacked in the city, resulting in the death of one Chinese national. May I first ask for your thoughts on the Suzhou incident? In addition, today, there was also the first hearing for the case involving the murder of a Japanese child in Shenzhen. Amid such incidents, and as people-to-people exchanges are promoted between Japan and China, please tell us again how Japan intends to ensure the safety of its people and what kind of response Japan will be seeking from the Chinese side.

Minister Iwaya: I am aware that the sentencing hearing for the case involving the injury of a Japanese mother and child in Suzhou, China was held yesterday, and that the defendant was sentenced to death. First, I would like to once again express my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Ms. Hu Youping in this incident. I would also like to once again extend my sympathies to the injured Japanese mother and child.

The Government of Japan believes that the criminal act of murdering or wounding three completely innocent people, including a child, cannot be justified, and we solemnly acknowledge the death sentence.

Ensuring the safety and security of Japanese people traveling or residing overseas is one of the most important responsibilities of the Government. Based on the judgment, the Government will continue to strongly urge the Chinese side to ensure the safety of Japanese people in China, and we too will make every effort to ensure the safety and security of Japanese people.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kamimura: I would like to ask about the visa relaxation measures for Chinese citizens. The relaxation measures decided by the Government of Japan at the end of last year have raised objections from the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP), including Mr. HAGIUDA Koichi, former Chairperson of the Policy Research Council who stated that the Government’s “approach was reckless.” Please share with us your view on these objections. Could you once again explain why the Government decided on the relaxation measures?

Minister Iwaya: I believe there is considerable misunderstanding on this matter.

I am aware that there are various opinions. That being said, I would like to emphasize the following with regard to Japan’s visas, including the recent measures. In principle, in view of the impact on public security and other concerns, we consult with relevant Japanese ministries and agencies and implement rigorous screening procedures for visa application and entry into Japan, including establishing certain economic requirements according to the type of visa. We believe that the relaxation measures in question will not immediately lead to an uncontrolled surge in Chinese tourists.

In addition, the new ten-year multiple-entry tourist visas do not enable unlimited stays in Japan over a ten-year period. Each stay is limited to a maximum of 90 days, the same as the current five-year multiple-entry tourist visa, and visa holders are not eligible to enroll in the National Health Insurance.

On issuing visas for Chinese citizens visiting Japan, MOFA has been deciding on and implementing relaxation measures based on a comprehensive consideration of various aspects, including tourism promotion, which has significant economic ripple effects, such as regional revitalization and job creation, in addition to other considerations, including enhancing mutual understanding through promotion of people-to-people exchanges and the impact on public security. The recent visa relaxation measures were also introduced as part of these measures. To my knowledge, such measures have never been subject to the prior review and approval of the ruling parties.

As there are in fact various opinions and concerns regarding the measures, the Government will continue to provide thorough explanations to ensure an accurate understanding of the details of the measures.

Kyodo News, Ayukawa: I would like to confirm what you said earlier. At first, you stated, “I believe there is considerable misunderstanding.” Is it correct to understand that, by misunderstanding, you were referring to the examples you then gave, such as a significant impact on public security, an immediate uncontrolled surge in Chinese tourists, and unlimited stays in Japan for a ten-year period?

Minister Iwaya: I believe some people have such misunderstandings about the measures. Furthermore, obtaining the party’s approval has never been part of the procedures, and I believe there is some misunderstanding about the procedures as well.

That said, Japan-China relations are a sensitive matter so to speak, and I agree that adequate explanations are needed. We will continue to provide thorough and detailed explanations.

Kyodo News, Ayukawa: My question concerns China. Some reports speculate that as the Chinese and ROK foreign ministers will be visiting Japan for the Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, a Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting or a high-level economic dialogue agreed upon between the two sides will be held on this occasion in the not distant future. Against this backdrop, recently, the Chinese side announced that it participated in the collection of samples of treated water discharged from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the sea, as part of an expanded monitoring conducted under an agreement between the two countries, that the first analysis results have come out, and that no problematic values were found. Additionally, when you visited China at the end of last year, I believe slight progress was made in the discussions on China’s resumption of beef imports and expansion of Japanese rice imports. Could you tell us about the discussions or the latest situation on the resumption of Japanese aquatic products and beef imports and the expansion of rice imports?

Minister Iwaya: We will be hosting and chairing the next Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The date will be arranged. While a specific date has not been decided, we are eager to realize the meeting.

If it is realized and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi of China visits Japan, I hope that a Japan-China economic dialogue will be realized.

With regard to the developments toward the resumption of aquatic product imports, which you asked about, as part of the additional monitoring under the framework of the IAEA, laboratories from three countries, including China, collected and studied seawater last October. I understand that the Chinese laboratory completed its analysis and announced that the results were normal.

The timing of China’s resumption of Japanese aquatic product imports has not been decided yet. Nevertheless, it is important that the announcement made by the Governments of Japan and China last September will be fully implemented, as was confirmed between the Japanese and Chinese leaders and foreign ministers, and we view the latest announcement by the Government of China as a steady step forward in this process.

During my visit to China at the end of last year, I directly urged Foreign Minister Wang on this matter. Japan will continue to call on the Chinese side at all levels to achieve the early resumption of imports of Japanese aquatic products.

I am aware that Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Eto and LDP Secretary-General Moriyama also visited China and discussed this matter.

Furthermore, during the Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the end of last year, Foreign Minister Wang and I concurred on the early resumption of consultations between the authorities regarding the resumption of Japanese beef imports and the expansion of imports of Japanese rice. I understand that both the ruling party’s secretary-general and Minister Eto called for such resumption during their visits to China. Building on these discussions, we will continue to work closely with relevant ministries and agencies, and the Government will make concerted efforts, aiming to achieve China’s early resumption of Japanese beef imports and expansion of Japanese rice imports.