Press Conferences

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

The first is about the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

At last, the Expo will open the day after tomorrow, Sunday, April 13. The opening ceremony will be held in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess tomorrow, Saturday, April 12. I am also scheduled to attend the ceremony.

I believe the Expo will be a wonderful opportunity for Japan to deepen exchanges with the world, widely showcase our appeal to the international community, and tap into the vitality of overseas countries.

Each country is assigned a National Day during the Expo. Coinciding with their National Day, many dignitaries are expected to visit Japan. On April 14, President Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan is scheduled to visit Japan to attend the celebration events for Turkmenistan’s National Day, which will be the first National Day of the Expo.

Taking this opportunity as high-level officials from around the world visit Japan in succession, I intend to actively hold meetings with my counterparts and strengthen cooperative relations and partnerships between Japan and various countries.

Minister Iwaya: Next is about assistance for Myanmar.

As assistance for the earthquake in Myanmar, Japan decided to dispatch the second batch of the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Medical Team to the area from April 12.

Regarding the Emergency Grant of 6 million US dollars, which was announced the other day, Japan will implement humanitarian assistance, in areas such as health and medical care, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and food through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

Furthermore, through a Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project, Japan has also decided to provide emergency relief, including water tanks and tents, to schools damaged by the earthquake.

At the same time, to provide smooth humanitarian assistance, it is important to ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access, along with the implementation and maintenance of a ceasefire by all parties concerned. Japan urges Myanmar to ensure the implementation and maintenance of the announced ceasefire, and calls for engagement in sincere dialogue by all parties concerned toward the swift restoration of a democratic political system.

In addition, Japan has also dispatched to Thailand a team of experts consisting of officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and others to offer advice, including post-earthquake safety measures. We will continue to provide thorough support in response to the earthquake disaster in Myanmar.

That is all from me at the outset.

Nikkei Shimbun, Baba: I would like to ask about Expo diplomacy that you spoke about in your opening remarks. The opening ceremony of the Expo is coming up this weekend. Regarding diplomatic opportunities that coincide with National Days, as you mentioned, could I ask you again to share with us plans that are decided at this time, as well as your expectations and eagerness for the diplomatic opportunities?

Minister Iwaya: As I stated at the outset, the first National Day will be April 14, and President Berdimuhamedov will be visiting Japan from Turkmenistan.

Dignitaries are already visiting Japan to attend the opening ceremony tomorrow, April 12. Today, I am scheduled to hold a meeting later with Minister for Foreign Affairs Bettel of Luxembourg.

There will continue to be National Days almost every day. For example, toward the end of next week, His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Tupouto’a ’Ulukalala of Tonga, Minister for Foreign Affairs Andall of Grenada, and Vice President Choquehuanca of Bolivia are scheduled to visit Japan. Such visits are expected to continue for the duration of the Expo.

As I stated at the beginning, the Expo will be an opportunity for Japan to deepen exchanges with the world, and simultaneously, widely showcase our appeal to the international community. It will also be a wonderful opportunity to tap into the vitality of overseas countries. I intend to continue to actively hold meetings with my counterparts who will be visiting Japan, and strengthen cooperative relations.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kamimura: I would like to ask about the tariff measures by the U.S. There was an announcement that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) established Headquarters for the Japan-U.S. Economic Consultation, which is chaired by the Minister, and held its first meeting yesterday. Please share with us, as much as you can, the purpose of the headquarters and what was discussed at the first meeting.

Minister Iwaya: On the response to the tariff measures by the U.S., first of all, at a meeting of the Comprehensive Response Headquarters for U.S. Tariff Measures, which was established and convened with the attendance of all ministers, Prime Minister Ishiba instructed ministers to cooperate and collaborate among the relevant ministries and make government-wide efforts.

Against this backdrop, in order to fully prepare for responding to the recent tariff measures by the U.S., yesterday, MOFA established the Headquarters for Japan-U.S. Economic Consultations, which is chaired by me, and held its first meeting.

At the first meeting, following briefings on developments related to the U.S. tariff measures, discussions were held on Japan’s response. We also discussed providing all possible support to Minister Akazawa, who is in charge of the negotiations and is expected to visit the U.S. sooner or later.

The Government will continue to work as one to advance diplomatic efforts, including strongly urging the U.S. to reconsider its measures.

Kyodo News, Sakaguchi: I would like to ask a follow-up question on the new Trump administration. President Trump has once again expressed his view that the Japan-U.S. Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security is unfair. In future trade negotiations between the two governments, he appeared ready to aim for a deal favorable to the U.S. by demanding Japan to increase its defense budget as well as its share of the Host Nation Support. Please tell us your thoughts on his remark. In addition, while I understand that Minister Akazawa’s role is to negotiate trade matters, including tariffs, how does MOFA intend to respond if the negotiations include security-related matters?

Minister Iwaya: I am aware of the remark made by President Trump which you referred to.

That being said, it remains the case that the Japan-U.S. Alliance is the cornerstone of Japan’s foreign and security policy. The U.S. has, on various occasions, including the recent Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting and Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, affirmed its commitment to defend Japan under the Japan-U.S. Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. The Government of Japan has full confidence that the U.S. will fulfill its commitment under the treaty using its full range of capabilities, including nuclear deterrence.

At the same time, Japan’s Legislation for Peace and Security has enabled Japan and the U.S. to help each other seamlessly in response to any situations. We believe this kind of alliance in which both sides help each other strengthens the bond between us. In this sense, we view that the Japan-U.S. Alliance has become stronger than ever before and consider that the deterrence capability has significantly improved.

Amid what can be described as the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II, the Government of Japan believes that it must constantly consider and implement efforts for strengthening its deterrence and response capabilities independently, and will communicate and work with the U.S. closely to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance.

On Japan’s response to the U.S. tariff measures, I would like to refrain from disclosing specific details of our considerations. It was decided that both sides firstly would appoint a minister in charge and continue consultations, and Japan appointed Minister Akazawa.

The broader Japan-U.S. relationship, including security, will also be addressed by the Government as a whole. MOFA must continue to play a major role in this, as does the Ministry of Defense, I believe, in the sense that security is concerned. We intend to fully fulfill our role in this regard.

Asian News International, Itagaki: Japan’s negotiations in response to President Trump’s tariff measures will be commencing. I gather that, as a matter of course, the top priority is Japan’s national interest. However, we are now seeing a variety of reactions from various countries. Some have taken action by making their opposition clear, while, conversely, some have decided to remain silent and observe how things unfold. Considering this wide-ranging situation, could you share your thoughts on Japan’s policy for embarking on the negotiations?

Minister Iwaya: Japan will first conduct a detailed examination of the U.S. tariff measures, including announcements made by President Trump, and make a thorough analysis on their potential impact on Japan. On this basis, we will strongly urge the U.S. to reconsider the measures.

I have heard that India will also be establishing negotiation opportunities. Since these are negotiations, I expect that both sides will make various proposals and, in some cases, reach a conclusion through both sides making certain concessions. I believe that the negotiations will be kicked off shortly.

The response of the international community has been varied, as you just stated. For Japan, there is nothing more or less than the Japan-U.S. relationship and the Japan-U.S. Alliance. Of course, no options are being ruled out. All options are on the table. Since Japan will be embarking on the bilateral consultations as the lead-off batter, so to speak, we will first make every effort to achieve a breakthrough in the situation through negotiations. At the same time, as these are measures that have been imposed on countries throughout the world, Japan intends to thoroughly conduct various exchanges of information and communication with the countries concerned.

Chugoku Shimbun, Miyano: Hiroshima City has decided to urge all countries, including Russia, Israel, and Palestine, to attend the Peace Memorial Ceremony held on August 6, changing from “inviting” to “notifying” foreign governments. Last year, the U.S. boycotted its attendance at the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony over the issue of invitations. What is your view on the decision made by Hiroshima City?

Minister Iwaya: We are aware of the reports you referred to. However, needless to say, the ceremony is an event hosted by Hiroshima City, and I believe it is up to Hiroshima City, the host, to determine the way in which the ceremony will be held. The Government would like to refrain from making comments.

Chugoku Shimbun, Miyano: I have another question.

The session of the Preparatory Committee for the NPT Review Conference will begin at the end of this month. It has been reported that your attendance and delivery of address is under consideration. Could you tell us if this is true and the importance you attach to the session of the Preparatory Committee?

Minister Iwaya: At this stage, nothing has been decided regarding my attendance at the Third Session of the Preparatory Committee for the NPT Review Conference you have mentioned.

That being said, as the path toward a “world without nuclear weapons” becomes even more severe, we believe that maintaining and strengthening the NPT regime, which is the cornerstone of international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, is more important and necessary than ever before.

Accordingly, we view that the Third Session of the Preparatory Committee, which will be held from the end of this month, is an extremely important meeting that will lead up to next year’s NPT Review Conference. To ensure fruitful outcomes, Japan will make every effort and will give careful consideration, including my attendance.

Financial Times, Leo Lewis: Amid growing uncertainty in the global trade system triggered by the U.S., some countries are increasingly calling for expanding the scope of the CPTPP to strengthen cooperative relations between the CPTPP and the European Union (EU). Does Japan believe that the CPTPP should aim to expand its membership, and that it has the potential to form the core of a new global free trade alliance?

Minister Iwaya: The maintenance and expansion of a rules-based free trade system is a pillar of Japan’s economic diplomacy. As the world becomes increasingly protectionist and inward-looking, it is increasingly important for Japan to demonstrate leadership as a flag-bearer for free trade, as you mentioned.

In this sense, we believe that the CPTPP maintains high-standard common rules that cover a very wide range of areas, and thus has significance in promoting it globally.

From this perspective, Japan will continue to actively contribute to discussions for developing the framework, including new accessions and the General Review of the agreement.

The agreement provides that new accessions shall be decided based on related principles agreed upon by the parties. Japan will address this matter in close consultation with other parties, taking into account strategic considerations and the public’s understanding. We will exchange views and communicate closely not only with the EU, as you mentioned, but also with various countries around the world.