Press Conferences

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

The first is that, from April 2 to 5, I will be visiting Brussels in Belgium to attend the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs and other meetings.

This will be the fourth consecutive year of Japan’s attendance at the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs. I will participate in the session attended by NATO member states and Indo-Pacific partners. I would like to deepen the discussion on cooperation beyond the region among like-minded countries, based on the recognition that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is inseparable.

On this occasion, I will also be holding discussions with G7 foreign ministers. The unity of the G7 is at a critical juncture as the international situation, including Ukraine, continues to change daily. My counterparts and I will reaffirm our commitment to work together.

Furthermore, I will be holding individual meetings. EU High Representative Kallas and I will hold the 2nd Japan-EU Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue. At the dialogue, we plan to discuss strengthening cooperation in the security field, among other topics. I will also hold my first meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Prévot of Belgium. We will exchange views on strengthening bilateral relations and other matters, looking ahead to next year’s 160th anniversary of Japan-Belgium friendship.

Additionally, I will hold a Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Secretary of State Rubio of the U.S. and Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul of the ROK. We will confirm that Japan, the U.S., and the ROK will work closely together to advance concrete cooperation that will lead to peace and prosperity in the region.

Minister Iwaya: The second announcement is about Myanmar.

I am deeply saddened that significant damage has been caused in Myanmar and Thailand by an earthquake that struck central Myanmar on March 28. My heartfelt condolences go out once again to all those affected.

As of now, we have confirmed that two Japanese nationals were injured in Mandalay, Myanmar, and the Embassy of Japan in Myanmar is currently providing them all possible support. In addition, a Japanese national residing in Mandalay cannot be contacted, and therefore, we have requested the Myanmar authorities for a search and rescue. In addition to embassy staff already dispatched to the area, we plan to dispatch an Emergency Response Team from Tokyo. We will continue to do everything possible to protect Japanese nationals.

Regarding humanitarian assistance for Myanmar, the Government of Japan has been verifying the immediate specific needs, including through the previously dispatched assessment team of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and has decided to dispatch the JDR Medical Team to the area based on confirmation of the needs. The team will consist of 32 members, including doctors and nurses registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and JICA, and is scheduled to depart Japan after midnight tonight.

For in-kind assistance, we have completed the delivery of 240 waterproof sheets and 450 tents through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund. Additionally, preparations are underway to promptly distribute emergency relief goods, such as sanitary items, water, and water purifiers to the people affected by the disaster through JICA and the United Nations.

The Government intends to continue to implement all possible humanitarian assistance that directly benefits the people of Myanmar.

That is all from me at the outset.

Kyodo News, Ayukawa: I would like to ask about your attendance at the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs, which you announced at the beginning. Could you speak a little bit more about the significance and objectives of strengthening cooperation with NATO for Japan? As concerns emerge among NATO member states that the U.S. Trump administration will reduce its engagement in NATO, what position will Japan be articulating at the meeting?

Minister Iwaya: Japan attaches importance to working with NATO for the reason that, as I mentioned at the outset, we believe cooperation with like-minded countries, including NATO, is extremely important, and security cooperation is important, based on the recognition that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is inseparable and closely associated.

In recent years, Japan has advanced cyber and other concrete cooperation with NATO under the cooperation document between Japan and NATO. Additionally, NATO and Indo-Pacific partners, or the IP4, comprised of the ROK, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia, have deepened their cooperation.

As I mentioned earlier, this will be the fourth consecutive year that Japan is attending the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs. At the Indo-Pacific partners’ session, we intend to align our perceptions with the NATO side on tackling unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and on maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Furthermore, I intend to have steady discussions on the ways of future cooperation between Japan and NATO and among Japan, NATO, and IP4, which I just mentioned.

Chugoku Shimbun, Miyano: I would like to ask about the recommendations of the IGEP. How will the Government make use of these recommendations? The recommendations state that nuclear deterrence should not be the final form of security. Please share with us the Government’s assessment of this statement. In addition, the Government has been stating that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is an important treaty as a final passage to a world without nuclear weapons, but that there is no clear path to that final passage. The IGEP explored the path toward a world without nuclear weapons. I would like to ask whether the recommendations have shown a path to the TPNW, the final passage.

Minister Iwaya:

The IGEP was held over two days until yesterday. I attended this sixth and final meeting and gave remarks. The IGEP has just issued recommendations for the 2026 NPT Review Conference.

Amid an international situation that is deeply divided, recommendations have been compiled following two and a half years of sincere discussions with the participation of individuals from a range of countries, including all nuclear-weapon States and parties to the TPNW. This is highly meaningful for elevating the international momentum toward nuclear disarmament ahead of next year’s NPT Review Conference.

The IGEP also briefed Prime Minister Ishiba yesterday.

As various discussions take place on the ways of nuclear deterrence and the path toward nuclear disarmament, the Government views that the recommendations will be of reference to countries and serve as a basis for future discussions.

On your question about the recommendations mentioning that nuclear deterrence is not the final form of security, we do not particularly see any contradictions with Japan’s current policy of aiming for a “world without nuclear weapons” while ensuring national security, including extended deterrence.

I personally interpreted this statement to mean that nuclear deterrence should not be the final form of security in the future, and that states must go beyond it and pursue a world without nuclear weapons.

The Government intends to leverage these recommendations to stimulate discussions in the international community and further advance realistic and practical efforts, including in preparing for the upcoming Review Conference.

Kyodo News, Ayukawa: I would like to ask a follow-up question about your overseas visit. You announced earlier that a Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is scheduled to be held. Following the inauguration of the Trump administration, this meeting was held for the first time in February in Munich I believe, and it will be held again within a short timespan. Could you explain its significance, importance, objectives, or other related aspects? I would also like to ask whether a bilateral meeting with Secretary of State Rubio of the U.S. is scheduled or being arranged to take place during your visit. If a meeting will be held, it could happen immediately after the Trump administration imposes additional tariff measures on imported automobiles or immediately after it announces the details of reciprocal tariffs. What position will you express on these tariff measures? I believe especially the automotive industry is critical for Japan. Please tell us your thoughts on the imposition of the tariff measures, and your outlook on their impact on Japan-U.S. relations.

Minister Iwaya: While not much time has passed since the previous Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held in Munich, I believe it is very important that the three countries meet on the margins of the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs to once again discuss and concur on the regional and international situations and future trilateral cooperation.

Accordingly, please understand that the meeting will be held as part of the efforts to meet and exchange views as frequently as possible.

As you said, on this occasion, Japan would like to pursue and set up a Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting if possible. However, given that the schedule is very tight and both sides have their own commitments, a meeting has not been finalized at this time. Since I will certainly be meeting Secretary Rubio at the Japan-U.S.-ROK meeting, I hope to exchange views directly with the Secretary on this occasion. Regarding the series of tariff policies announced by the U.S., as I have consistently stated, Japan should be excluded from the automobile tariffs as well as the reciprocal tariffs. I intend to communicate the impact such measures would have on the economy, including the Japanese automotive industry, and urge the withdrawal of these measures.

NHK, Tanii: You mentioned in your opening remarks that a G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is anticipated to be held during your overseas visit. I imagine that the situation surrounding Ukraine will be the main topic once again, following on from the meetings in Canada and Munich. Could you tell us again what Japanese position you intend to emphasize at the meeting?

Minister Iwaya: I stated at the outset that I would like to exchange views firmly with the G7 foreign ministers who will gather together for the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs. The G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is currently being arranged under the leadership of Canada, the G7 Presidency. The meeting has not been completely finalized at this time.

In any case, I would like to take this opportunity to exchange views and hold a discussion among the G7 counterparts. While a G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was just held in Canada, where the importance of the unity of the G7 was reaffirmed, I hope its importance can be confirmed once again with the international situation changing rapidly.