Press Conferences

Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi: I have two announcements at the outset.

Today, I held Foreign Ministers’ meetings with Minister Greene of Antigua and Barbuda, who is visiting Japan as an official guest of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and with Minister Herath of Sri Lanka, who is accompanying President Disanayaka on his visit to Japan, respectively.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: First, at the Japan-Antigua and Barbuda Foreign Ministers’ meeting, the two countries, as friendly nations sharing common values and principles, discussed cooperation for overcoming the vulnerabilities of island states and achieving sustainable development, strengthening bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues. We then confirmed to strengthen cooperation toward maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Subsequently, at the Japan-Sri Lanka Foreign Ministers’ meeting, we discussed and confirmed cooperation to achieve regional stability and prosperity, including the provision of unmanned aerial vehicles as the first project of official security assistance (OSA) to Sri Lanka, which was recently decided. We also exchanged views on regional affairs, such as policies toward North Korea, and cooperation in the international arena. Furthermore, I conveyed Japan’s intention to collaborate with Sri Lanka in a wide range of fields under the “Comprehensive Partnership” toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).”

That concludes my opening remarks.

NHK, KAWAMURA: I would like to ask about the United Nations (UN) sanctions on Iran. With the resumption of the UN’s sanctions against Iran and amid concerns that Iran may be secretly developing nuclear weapons, I believe that dialogue with Iran is becoming more important than ever. How will Japan intend to build up the momentum for dialogue? Please share your thoughts with us.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Iran’s nuclear issue now stands at a critical juncture. We believe that resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue is of utmost importance, and the momentum for such dialogue must not be lost.

On September 23, I held a meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi in New York. On that occasion, I reiterated what I just stated, that it is important to resolve the issue through dialogue, and that there is still room for diplomacy. I strongly urged Iran to resolve the issue through dialogue. Japan will continue to stay int close communication with Iran.

Indeed, I believe that we must firmly emphasize the importance of diplomacy. We will continue to call on Iran to properly implement the Security Council resolutions that have now been re-applied, and urge Iran to immediately resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in accordance with its obligations under the relevant safeguards agreements.

Peace and stability in the Middle East, as well as maintaining the international non-proliferation regime, are extremely important. Japan will duly implement the Security Council’s decisions and will continue to make necessary diplomatic efforts with the international community.

Ryukyu Shimpo, KAKAZU: I would like to ask about the U.S. military’s patrols that are conducted outside their bases in Okinawa. When an arrest incident occurred during a patrol, the notification to Japanese authorities stipulated in the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) was not being carried out. When I contacted and inquired with the U.S. military, they presented the view that notification to Japanese authorities was unnecessary. The US side cited Article 17, paragraph 1(a) of the SOFA, as well as paragraph 5(a) of the Agreed Views on Criminal Jurisdiction as its basis. However, neither provision provides any reason that makes notification to the Japanese side unnecessary, and I think this is an expanded Interpretation. I would like to ask your views on this. In addition, please share your opinion on the U.S. military exercising police authority outside its bases.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: I understand that the Japan-U.S. Joint Community Safety Patrol in Okinawa City has been conducted in a manner that includes members from the Okinawa Prefectural Police and the US military joining the crime prevention patrol that had been conducted by local neighborhood associations and crime prevention associations with its emphasis on awareness-raising activities.

The U.S. forces will employ military police outside U.S. facilities and areas in Japan, in accordance with the terms stipulated in the SOFA, including notification to Japanese authorities.

Accordingly, I understand that Japan-U.S. Joint Community Safety Patrols to date have also been conducted in a manner that is consistent with the SOFA following a series of thorough communications among the parties concerned.

That said, I believe there are two cases: one that infringes upon the Japanese laws, and the other that violates the “liberty policy” stipulated by the U.S. forces. Naturally, any incidents violating Japanese laws must be properly notified, but as for cases of violations of the liberty policy, I feel that arrangements may not have been fully made or finalized regarding notifications.

What is important is that the series of recurrence prevention measures announced so far by the U.S. side actually lead to the prevention of recurrence of incidents and accidents. Japan will continue to urge the U.S. to strengthen discipline within U.S. Forces in Japan and take thorough measures to prevent the recurrence of incidents and accidents, including through the Japan-U.S. Joint Community Safety Patrol. At the same time, I believe we need to work out the details I have just raised thoroughly.

Hong Kong Phoenix TV, Li: I would like to ask your views on the issues regarding Taiwan. Last week, Mr. ASO Taro, Supreme Advisor of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), stated to those from Taiwan that “Taiwan is a country.” He called Taiwan a “country that shares values with Japan.” Does this statement mean that Japan recognizes Taiwan as a country? Please tell us again about the Government of Japan’s stance on Taiwan and how you assess his remark.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: I am not aware of Supreme Advisor ASO’s remark that you mentioned, so I would like to refrain from commenting on it. That being said, Japan’s basic position on Taiwan is to maintain a working relationship on a non-governmental basis based on the 1972 Japan-China Joint Communique. This position has not changed at all.

Asahi Shimbun, SASAYAMA: With Prime Minister ISHIBA visiting the ROK today, I would like to ask about the ISHIBA administration’s diplomacy toward the ROK over the past year. The ISHIBA administration is very well received in the ROK. What do you consider as the reason for this? That is my first question. Secondly, what has the administration attached importance to in its relations with the ROK? Although the relationship is good now, there remain issues that may flare up again, such as the recognition of history and territorial disputes. When such issues were to flare up again, do you view that the two countries now stand on thick ice that allows continued dialogue, or on thin ice, indicating a thorny relationship, in terms of the Japan-ROK relations today?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: By saying well received, I understand you mean that the ISHIBA administration and the new administration in the ROK have a positive relationship. Japan and the ROK are important neighboring countries that should work together as partners in addressing the various issues facing the international community. I believe the importance of the Japan-ROK relations and of coordination among Japan, the U.S., and the ROK are increasing more than ever amid the current strategic environment. Based on this recognition, the ISHIBA administration has been communicating closely with the ROK Government.

This has continued even after the inauguration of the new administration in the ROK in June. First, in July, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun visited Japan. In addition, last month, President Lee Jae Myung visited Japan as the destination of his first bilateral visit after taking office.

And, today, Prime Minister ISHIBA is visiting Busan in the ROK as part of “shuttle diplomacy”. I understand that the Japan -ROK relationship is progressing steadily on very solid ice.

I also attended the Japan-ROK Summit meeting, and as I saw it, the two leaders were holding a dialogue in a very friendly atmosphere. I hope that the leaders will engage in an even more amicable dialogue in Busan.

During the previous Summit meeting, the two leaders concurred to significantly develop the Japan-ROK relations in a future-oriented and stable manner, based on the foundation of the Japan-ROK relations which has been established since the normalization of the Japan-ROK relations in 1965.

Indeed, difficult issues exist precisely because we are neighboring countries. Be that as it may, I believe the bilateral relationship is developing in a very favorable manner, and I think it is important to continue to engage in careful dialogue to address difficult issues. I intend to maintain close communication with the ROK going forward.

Asahi Shimbun, SASAYAMA: I would like to change the subject and ask about the LDP presidential election. It seems likely that the presidential election will go to a runoff vote. In the past, there have been cases where the candidate who was leading in party members’ votes was overtaken by another candidate who had more Diet members’ votes. Such a scenario could occur this time. In that case, how you would assess it as a minister?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: It is somewhat difficult to answer a hypothetical question. The mechanism of the LDP’s presidential election has been improved several times so far, and I believe that the current system is designed to reflect the voices of party members to a considerable degree. In the first round of voting, the ballots of party members carry weight proportionate to those of Diet members. However, if no candidate secures a majority, a runoff will be held with votes cast by Diet members and representatives of the 47 prefectural branches. In this way, the election results will be determined according to the rules, and I have no particular stance on whether this is good or bad. What I mean is that the current system as a whole reflects the voices of party members, those who are closer to the general public, far more than in the previous system. I believe that the next President will be elected in accordance with the procedures and rules solemnly.