Press Conferences

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: I have one announcement about assistance in response to the cyclone disaster in Sri Lanka.

The Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team dispatched to Sri Lanka, which suffered damage caused by a cyclone, has completed its mission and returned to Japan today. From December 3, for approximately two weeks, this team worked actively, providing1,250 medical consultations on site. I have been informed that their activities are highly appreciated locally and receiving expressions of gratitude.

In addition, today, the Government of Japan has decided to extend an Emergency Grant of USD 2.5 million to Sri Lanka through international organizations to implement humanitarian assistance in such areas as food and non-food items.

Japan also plans to carry out support activities through Japan Platform (JPF), a mechanism for emergency humanitarian aid by NGOs, the business community, and the Government. Furthermore, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) survey team has started a needs assessment for future recovery and reconstruction.

Through these efforts, Japan intends to continue to provide seamless support to its longtime friend, Sri Lanka, for the earliest possible recovery and reconstruction of the affected areas.

That concludes my opening remarks.

Jiji Press, CHIBA: I have a question related to Gaza. Could you tell us how the Government of Japan intends to engage in the CMCC, which is responsible for monitoring the ceasefire and coordinating humanitarian assistance? There are reports about Japan dispatching personnel to the CMCC. Can you tell us when and how many personnel will be dispatched, as well as the types of personnel you plan to dispatch? Please also share with us the significance of Japan’s involvement and the role it is expected to play.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: We haven’t finalized the details yet. First of all, we believe that the CMCC you mentioned will play an important role in monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire, coordinating humanitarian assistance and reconstruction plans, and implementing Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Japan intends to play a proactive role in the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza to realize a two-state solution, and thereby contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East. We believe that it would be meaningful for Japan to engage in these peace efforts, including the Comprehensive Plan.

From this perspective, we have sent Mr. OKUBO, the Special Assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador in charge of Gaza Rebuilding Assistance, to the region, and the Ambassador has exchanged views with relevant countries, including those involved with the CMCC.

Based on these exchanges, we are thoroughly considering Japan’s involvement in the CMCC and other relevant organizations, as well as personnel matters, among others. Japan will continue to work closely with the international community and fully fulfill the role we can play toward the realization of peace and stability in the Middle East.

Nikkei Shimbun, HORIKOSHI: I would like to ask about the visa relaxation measures for Chinese citizens. It has been exactly one year this month since Mr. IWAYA, the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, announced measures for relaxing the issuance of tourist visas for Chinese citizens. Nonetheless, I think concrete steps, such as their implementation, have yet to be taken. In a previous press conference, you stated that the Government is conducting a careful review of this while assessing various situations. Could you give us an update on the current status of the review? Although Japan-China relations are currently in a difficult situation, I gather that people-to-people exchanges between the two countries in soft areas, such as tourism, remain important. Can you once again share your thoughts on the importance of people-to-people exchanges?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: As I mentioned the other day, we are conducting a careful review of this while assessing various situations. We consider people-to-people exchanges to be of great importance.

NHK, YAMAMOTO: I would like to ask about the pandas at Ueno Zoological Gardens. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced yesterday that the two pandas at the zoo will be returned to China by the end of next month. This would leave Japan without any pandas for the first time since the normalization of Japan -China relations, and we will no longer be able to see pandas in Japan. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has requested the loan of new pandas. Does the Government intend to support local governments or reach out to the Government of China to secure a loan of new pandas?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: I clearly remember how excited I was when, as a young person, saw the news about pandas coming to Japan for the first time. Pandas are widely loved by the Japanese public, and the two pandas that will be returned this time have been cherished by many. I sincerely hope that the pandas will live healthy lives in China.

We are aware that several local governments, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government that you mentioned, have expressed a desire to have pandas on loan.

It is a fact that exchanges through pandas have contributed to improving public sentiment between Japan and China, and the Government expects that these exchanges will continue, while taking into account the opinions and wishes of the local governments and others.