Press Conferences

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

First is about the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

On Saturday, March 22, the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held in Tokyo. I will chair the meeting, and Mr. Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, and Mr. Cho Tae-Yul, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK), are scheduled to attend.

Japan, China, and the ROK are, needless to say, important neighboring countries to each other, and they have significant influence and responsibility for the peace and prosperity of this region and the international community. To promote future-oriented cooperation, I hope to hold candid exchanges of views and discussions on cooperation among Japan, China, and the ROK, and on regional affairs.

In addition, with China, we will hold a foreign ministers’ meeting and a high-level economic dialogue, which will be the first time in six years on this occasion. Under the broad direction of comprehensively promoting a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship based on Common Strategic Interests” and building a “constructive and stable relationship,” I will reaffirm that we will work to reduce issues and concerns while increasing cooperation and coordination.

Furthermore, I will also hold a foreign ministers’ meeting with the ROK. In light of the current strategic environment, the importance of Japan-ROK relations remains unchanged. Based on such shared understanding, I intend to continue to closely coordinate in a wide range of areas, including on policies toward North Korea, through candid exchange of views on the bilateral relations, regional and international situations.

Minister Iwaya: Second, the White Paper on Development Cooperation 2024 was released on March 14. Japan’s official development assistance (ODA), which marked its 70th anniversary last year, is one of our key diplomatic tools that has underpinned international confidence in Japan and the strengthening of bilateral relations.

We will continue to constantly pursue ODA approaches that contribute to solving issues facing developing countries and global issues, as well as ODA approaches that further contribute to ensuring peace and security and realizing further prosperity in Japan.

Minister Iwaya: The third is about the “Think of Okinawa’s Future in the United States” (TOFU) program.

Since FY2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been implementing the so-called TOFU program, which sends high school students, university students, and others from Okinawa to the U.S.

This fiscal year’s TOFU program will begin tomorrow, March 19. Tomorrow evening, prior to their visit to Washington, D.C. and New York, I will be offering my encouragement to the participating students.

The young people of Okinawa hold the key to the “globalization of Okinawa.” I expect that the approximately 30 participating students will gain many insights in the U.S.

That is all from me at the outset.

Kyodo News, Ayukawa: I would like to ask about the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and bilateral meetings with the respective countries in your opening announcement. First, at the Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, you stated that you hope to discuss practical cooperation and regional affairs. Could you elaborate a little further on what is expected to be discussed at the meeting?

Additionally, will the three foreign ministers be making a joint announcement standing alongside each other, or will an outcome document be issued? I would appreciate it if you could speak about this as well.

Furthermore, regarding the schedule, is my understanding correct that the Japan-China and Japan-ROK foreign ministers’ meetings, as well as the Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue will all be held on March 22? Could you tell us whether the meetings will be held in the morning or afternoon, if it is within the scope of what you can currently share with us? I apologize for the long question.

Minister Iwaya: On the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, as I stated earlier, it is important that Japan and its closest neighbors, China and the ROK, which have influence and responsibility in the region and the international community, build future-oriented relations for promoting future-oriented exchanges and cooperation and lead the international community away from division and toward cooperation.

At this meeting which will be held for the first time in one year and four months, I hope to hold candid dialogues with both Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Foreign Minister Cho Tae-Yul.

As for the schedule, on Friday, March 21, I will host a Working Dinner of the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers. Then, on Saturday, the 22nd, the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held, followed by the Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue. Although it is a somewhat tight schedule, I am committed to completing it.

There are no particular plans to issue a joint document. A joint press occasion will be held following the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

The objectives of the bilateral meetings are as I mentioned earlier. Japan-China relations are important bilateral relations, and Japan-ROK relations are as I stated. I hope to have candid exchanges of views on a wide range of areas and work toward building future-oriented relations.

Asahi Shimbun, Satomi: I have a related question, more so about Japan-China relations. The High-Level Economic Dialogue will be held for the first time in approximately six years, as you mentioned earlier. Could you once again explain the significance or positioning of this dialogue? In addition, at the previous dialogue, Japan and China exchanged views on the importance of free trade, among other matters. Amid the current international situation, what are the main topics you plan to discuss at the upcoming dialogue?

Minister Iwaya: On a Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue, the two sides confirmed to make arrangements at the Japan-China Summit Meeting last November. Later, when I visited China last December, Minister Wang and I confirmed the holding of the dialogue coinciding with Minister Wang’s visit to Japan.

While Japan and China cooperate at a variety of levels and in various areas, I believe economic cooperation is also one of the important issues.

There are various issues and challenges. There is the issue of imports of aquatic products. Although I will refrain from speculating on the outcomes at this time, I hope the dialogue will serve as an opportunity to make joint efforts toward reducing issues and concerns one at a time, increasing cooperation and collaboration, and doing the same in the economic sector.

Jiji Press, Kawakami: A Belarusian court has rendered a judgment for a Japanese man detained in the country, which included seven years of imprisonment on charges of espionage. The trial was conducted behind closed doors. Please share with us your thoughts on this judgment and how the Government plans to address it?

Minister Iwaya: As you just mentioned, a court in Minsk, Belarus held a sentencing hearing on March 14 for a Japanese national who was detained in Belarus in July 2024. I understand that he was convicted and sentenced to seven years of imprisonment and fined 21,000 Belarusian rubles, which is equivalent to approximately 950,000 yen.

Ever since this incident occurred, the Government has been strongly calling for the immediate release of the Japanese national.

Considering this judgment, the Government will continue to urge the Belarusian side for the immediate release of the Japanese national. At the same time, we will provide support as much as possible, including consular visits with the said Japanese national and facilitating communication between him and his family.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kamimura: I would like to ask about political affairs. The Cabinet’s approval rating has declined over the issue of Prime Minister Ishiba’s distribution of gift vouchers to newly elected lawmakers. Some members of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) are publicly calling for his resignation. You helped Mr. Ishiba become Prime Minister as Head of his Election Strategy Headquarters during the LDP presidential election campaign. How do you view the current situation?

Minister Iwaya: I would like to refrain from commenting on the results of individual public opinion polls in my capacity as Foreign Minister.

That being said, Prime Minister Ishiba has stated as LDP President, “While the act does not violate either the Public Offices Election Act or the Political Funds Control Act, it was not in line with the public’s common sense and I do not believe that I have gained the understanding of the people.”

I understand Prime Minister Ishiba has also stated that “Further efforts are necessary to gain the public’s understanding” and “I must simply continue to make persistent efforts with utmost devotion.”

I agree with the Prime Minister. I hope the Prime Minister will make steadfast efforts to provide explanations.

TV Asahi, Iida: I would like to ask about the political funds report. It has been reported that political groups of 14 cabinet members, including Prime Minister Ishiba and yourself, have listed the addresses of companies and other entities as the addresses of individual donors in their political funds reports, with the total amount equaling approximately 14.72 million yen. Experts have suggested that they constitute false statements. Please tell us if this is true for you, and if so, whether any corrections will be made.

Minister Iwaya: I am aware of the reports.

I inquired with my office and was informed by the person in charge that, when individuals make donations, the addresses provided by the donors are recorded in the political funds report.

I have also been told that the “Document for deductions (tax credit) for donations” is sent to the donors to the addresses listed in the report, and that whenever donors instruct or request an address change or other changes, the information is corrected accordingly.

Upon asking for details, I have found out that 128 donations were made totaling around 1.44 million yen. I have a renewed gratitude over the fact that I am supported by their truly generous contributions.

When people hear “corporate donations,” they may associate the term mostly with large corporations. However, I believe these donations also include contributions from individual proprietor stores and other small businesses. Many of them have their business and home addresses at the same location. As such, I think some of the reports were based on misunderstanding. In any case, I have once again instructed the person in charge to continue to properly handle the matters that have been pointed out.