Press Conferences

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

The first is about the visit to Japan by WTO Director-General Okonjo-Iweala.

From May 12 to 14, Director-General Okonjo-Iweala of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is making an official working visit to Japan. I am also scheduled to hold a meeting with her later this evening.

Through this visit to Japan, I would like to reaffirm the importance of the multilateral free trade system with the WTO at its core.

Minister Iwaya: The second announcement is about the improvement and reform of the program for executive chefs for diplomatic missions overseas.

Building personal networks and gathering information by sharing meals are fundamental to diplomatic activity. In this sense, executive chefs who cater to high-level guests from various countries at the ambassador’s official residence and other venues play a tremendously important role.

At the same time, it is also true that employing talented chefs is becoming increasingly difficult due to the recent surge in inbound tourism, the growing popularity of Japanese cuisine overseas, among other reasons. To address this, we will be launching a new initiative called the “Program for Official Chef of Japan's Overseas Mission” in January of next year.

Specifically, as “culinary diplomats,” executive chefs will be more actively engaged in promoting Japanese cuisine and addressing reputational damage. In addition, their compensation will increase, and allowances will be newly provided for living in rental housing and for accompanying spouses. Executive chefs will be employed for two years in principle, which will also facilitate their career planning.

Through these measures, we aim to secure talented chefs and further strengthen the foundation of Japanese diplomacy.

That is all from me at the outset.

Nikkei Shimbun, Baba: I would like to ask about your meeting with the WTO Director-General. As you mentioned earlier, you will be meeting with Director-General Okonjo-Iweala today. Regarding the WTO, ongoing efforts have been made to ensure that trade dispute settlement mechanisms function, including the MPIA established by like-minded members as an alternative to the Appellate Body that has been at an impasse. Could you please share your assessment of these substitute measures and your view on the role that Japan should fulfill?

Minister Iwaya: The MPIA, which you just mentioned, stands for “Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement.” Due to the current stalemate of the Appellate Body, which should be settling disputes, like-minded members, including the EU, launched an interim mechanism in 2020 to substitute the functions of the Appellate Body with the arbitration stipulated in the WTO Agreement. That mechanism is the MPIA.

Japan has participated in the MPIA since March 2023, from the perspective that it enhances the predictability of the WTO dispute settlement system and maintains and strengthens the rules-based multilateral trading system.

Japan has been actively participating in international discussions in order to achieve reforms that will contribute to a long-lasting solution to the problems faced by the Appellate Body. This has not changed. Japan will continue to lead efforts toward WTO reform in cooperation with other members.

In this regard, the Appellate Body has remained at a standstill, but nevertheless, disputes have to be settled and arbitrated. Japan joined the MPIA mechanism for this reason and intends to also steadily advance efforts for the main WTO reform.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kamimura: I would like to ask about the tariff measures by the U.S. Yesterday, the U.S. and China reached an agreement to each lower tariffs by 115% and to establish a 90-day grace period while the negotiations continue. Please share your thoughts on this agreement and your outlook on how it will impact the Japan-U.S. negotiations. Additionally, Treasury Secretary Bessent stated at a press conference that “neither side wants a decoupling,” while President Trump has indicated an intention to hold a dialogue directly with President Xi Jinping as early as this weekend. These developments suggest an easing of tensions in the overall U.S.-China relationship. Could you please explain again your understanding of the current state of U.S.-China relations, as well as Japan’s position in this context?

Minister Iwaya: I am aware of the U.S.-China announcement you mentioned.

In principle, Japan welcomes the agreement. We will continue to closely follow the related developments, including those related to the U.S.-China announcement, with great interest. At the same time, Japan must carefully review the impact of the agreement and draw upon it for our own negotiations and respond appropriately.

On your question about the impact on Japan-U.S. consultations, as the circumstances of each country are different, it is only natural so to speak that the schedule, content, timing, and various other aspects of the consultations with the U.S. will vary.

So far, Japan and the U.S. have held two rounds of ministerial consultations. We concurred that both sides will engage in consultations in a candid and constructive manner, with the aim of reaching an agreement at the earliest possible opportunity so that the leaders can announce it. Giving due consideration to the outcome of the Japan-U.S. consultations to date, as well as carefully examining and referring to the negotiations of other countries, the Government of Japan will make all-out efforts, working as a unified force and addressing this issue as our utmost priority.

The stability of U.S.-China relations is vital for the international community, including Japan. Japan intends to continue to advance various cooperation based on our relationship of trust with our ally, the U.S., while also encouraging China to fulfill responsibilities commensurate with its standing.

Kyodo News, Sakaguchi: I would like to ask about the intrusion of a Chinese helicopter into Japan’s territorial airspace around the Senkaku Islands on the 3rd of this month. It has been pointed out that the Chinese side has been intensifying its actions, including intrusions into Japan’s territorial airspace and territorial waters. Could you once again comment on the Chinese moves and explain how Japan will be responding to them? To the operator of a small aircraft that conducted a sightseeing flight around the Senkaku Islands when the helicopter approached Japan’s territorial airspace, the Government conveyed that “flight safety should be taken into consideration from the standpoint of preventing an unforeseen situation.” Why was it necessary to request restraint? Has there been a change in the Government’s position that Japan’s territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands are effectively under Japanese control? Please also tell us if the Government will make the same request if similar flights are planned in the future.

Minister Iwaya: First of all, needless to say, the Senkaku Islands are indisputably an inherent part of the territory of Japan in light of historical facts and based upon international law, and are effectively under Japanese control. In the first place, there exists no issue of territorial sovereignty.

That being said, the recent intrusion into Japan’s territorial waters and intrusion into Japan’s territorial airspace is extremely regrettable. Japan issued a very severe protest, strongly urging the Government of China, including at the vice minister level, to ensure that similar acts do not recur.

Regarding the recent incident, we have confirmed that a small Japanese civilian aircraft conducted a sightseeing flight around the Senkaku Islands at the time that the helicopter made an approach. Generally speaking, since this is Japanese airspace, the flight of Japanese aircraft there cannot be inhibited, provided it complies with the constraints under laws and regulations. I am aware that, taking into account that the purpose of the recent flight was sightseeing, and from the standpoint of preventing an unforeseen situation, the relevant ministries and agencies communicated with the operator for the purpose of ensuring the safe navigation of the aircraft, and conveyed the view that flight safety should be taken into consideration.

I would like to refrain from responding to hypothetical questions about the future based on speculation. In any case, the recent intrusion into Japan’s territorial waters and airspace is extremely regrettable. The Government will continue to closely follow China’s moves with strong concern. Based on our policy to firmly and perpetually defend the lives and property of our citizens as well as Japan’s territorial land, sea, and airspace, the Government will strive to gather information in coordination with the relevant ministries and agencies with a sense of vigilance, and do its utmost in monitoring the areas around the Senkaku Islands.

Asahi Shimbun, Satomi: I understand that Foreign Minister Sa’ar of the State of Israel is visiting Japan from today and is scheduled to meet with you during his stay. In the Gaza Strip in the Palestinian Territories, the number of civilian casualties continues to rise due to attacks by the Israeli military. There are also reports that the suspension of supply deliveries is worsening the humanitarian situation. Considering these humanitarian perspectives, could I ask again what you intend to convey about the role of Japan and other matters through your meeting with Foreign Minister Sa’ar?

Minister Iwaya: Regarding the situation surrounding the Gaza Strip, first of all, Japan has consistently and strongly condemned the terror attacks by Hamas. At the same time, we are seriously concerned about the devastating humanitarian situation on the ground, in particular the many civilian casualties caused by the resumption of military operations.

The reoccupation of Gaza or the expansion of military operations, which would further worsen the already grave humanitarian situation in Gaza and run counter to the realization of a two-state solution, is unacceptable.

I would like to refrain from speculating on the content of the discussion. That said, at the meeting with Foreign Minister Sa’ar today, I intend to urge Israel to return to negotiations and to work in good faith toward the release of hostages and the continuation of the ceasefire agreement, as well as to abide by international law, including international humanitarian law, such as protecting civilians and ensuring humanitarian assistance.