Press Conferences

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: I would like to make one announcement.

I will be visiting Paris from tomorrow, March 25, to March 29 to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which will be held in France. The meeting itself will take place in the suburbs of Paris.

During the two-day meeting, I intend to engage in candid exchanges of views and share recognitions with the other G7 foreign ministers on various challenges facing the international community, including the situation in the Middle East, particularly Iran, the situation in Ukraine, and the regional situation in the Indo-Pacific, to which Japan attaches importance, and issues such as economic security.

In particular, concerning the situation in Iran, various countries, including Japan, are engaged in ongoing diplomatic efforts. The G7 members will conduct thorough discussions toward an early de-escalation of the situation and confirm their intention to work together on issues such as ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and energy security.

Additionally, I would like to hold bilateral meetings on the margins of the meeting, and I hope to build trust and strengthen cooperation with the other G7 foreign ministers.

That concludes my opening remarks.

Kyodo News, ONDA: I would like to ask about the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting. On a Fuji TV program two days ago, you stated that the U.S. side demonstrated its sincerity by saying that it would do what it can regarding Japan-China relations. Was this comment made in reference to countering economic coercion or to ensuring security amid China’s maritime activities? Please tell us in which context this matter was raised. Thank you.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: At the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting, the two leaders affirmed an array of concrete cooperation that will further elevate the quality of the Japan-U.S. Alliance across a wide range of areas such as security and the economy, including economic security.

The two leaders also exchanged views on issues concerning China and reaffirmed that Japan and the U.S. would continue to coordinate closely.

That being said, I would like to refrain from disclosing further details about the summit meeting as they concern diplomatic communications. However, the Prime Minister clearly explained Japan’s position regarding Japan-China relations to President Trump, and I did the same with Vice President Vance during the dinner reception, as I was seated next to him.

Sankei Shimbun, NAGAHARA: Minister, on the recent Fuji TV program, you explained that the Prime Minister informed President Trump that the constraints under Article 9 of the Constitution are the reason the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) cannot be dispatched to the Strait of Hormuz. I would like to ask which specific part of Article 9 the Prime Minister cited as restricting the dispatch of the SDF.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: I believe that is not what I said. At the summit meeting, the Prime Minister stated that there are things that Japan can and cannot do within the bounds of its laws, and she explained this point in detail. With regard to my comments on “Nichiyo Hodo” that you mentioned, as one of the participants on the program asked whether the Constitution was included in the term “laws” in the phrase “within the bounds of its laws,” I responded that the Constitution is, as a matter of course, included. I do not believe that I made any statement regarding whether this matter was discussed at the summit meeting.

Chugoku Shimbun, KOBAYASHI: I have a question about North Korea’s nuclear program. General Secretary Kim Jong Un of North Korea stated in his policy speech on March 23 that North Korea would stick to its “position as a nuclear state.” First, please share the Government of Japan’s view on this. Second, Prime Minister TAKAICHI referred to North Korea as a “nuclear power” on a television program in January of this year. Is it correct to understand that the Government of Japan still does not recognize North Korea as a “nuclear power”?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: While the Government has sought to collect and analyze information regarding the situation surrounding North Korea, including the policy speech by Chairman Kim Jong Un that you mentioned, with serious concern, I would like to refrain from commenting on the Chairman’s individual statements.

That being said, the nuclear and missile development by North Korea constitutes a clear violation of relevant United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions, and Japan views that it poses a threat to the peace and security of the region and the international community. North Korea’s possession of nuclear weapons is unacceptable and there has been no change in the position of the Government of Japan in this regard.

Japan, in cooperation with the international community, including the U.S. and the Republic of Korea, will advance efforts toward the full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions and seek the complete dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

I stated earlier that it constitutes a clear violation of UN resolutions. Following on from that, it would have been more accurate to say this issue poses the threat to the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community as a whole, as it is not limited to Japan alone.

Kyodo News, ONDA: I have a question related to North Korea. Prime Minister TAKAICHI indicated at the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting that she would be willing to hold a Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting. Following this, the Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim Yo Jong, Director of the General Affairs Department of the Workers’ Party of Korea, expressed the view that holding such a meeting would be difficult if the Prime Minister were to seek to resolve the abductions issue. This appears to be the first time North Korea has expressed its position since the inauguration of the TAKAICHI administration. Could you please share the Government of Japan’s response to this?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: First of all, I don’t believe Director Kim Yo Jong’s statement was worded that way. As I recall, she did not use the expression “if the Prime Minister seeks to resolve the abductions issue.” In any case, I would like to refrain from commenting on individual announcements made by North Korea. That being said, Prime Minister TAKAICHI has stated that she is prepared to meet with Chairman Kim Jong Un face to face to chart a future in which both Japan and North Korea can enjoy peace and prosperity. At the recent Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting, Prime Minister TAKAICHI also conveyed her strong determination to meet directly with Chairman Kim Jong Un.

Based on this approach, Japan will continue making every effort toward the resolution of the outstanding issues of concern between Japan and North Korea, while working closely with the international community, including the U.S.

Yomiuri Shimbun, FUKUDA: The Yomiuri Shimbun and Sakana AI analyzed critical social media posts about Japan using AI and found that China likely launched a cognitive warfare campaign six days after the Prime Minister’s response in the Diet last year regarding a potential Taiwan contingency. I would like to ask for your views on the significance of, and your assessment of, surveys such as this, which shed light on cognitive warfare through the use of AI analysis.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: I have read the article and found it to be a very thorough analysis. I would be grateful if you could tell me at a later time about how it was conducted. However, I would like to refrain from offering my own assessment of individual surveys.

That said, generally speaking, there is no doubt that the competition over a state’s image or narrative is intensifying. Propaganda and influence operations by various actors are becoming more intense and sophisticated, and security challenges have expanded beyond the traditional domains of land, air, and sea to include space, cyber, and the human cognitive domain. I believe this is a recognized reality.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to strengthen its capabilities to collect and analyze information through the use of AI and other tools, while advancing strategic communications, including the active use of social media to promote an understanding of Japan based on objective facts. We believe it is undeniable that cognitive warfare has emerged as a new strategic domain.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: Israel has been bombing Syria without provocation and conducting a systematic bombing in Lebanon that leveled almost the whole south of the country into rubble. Further, Israel initiated attacks on Iran. Doesn’t your silence on not condemning these Israeli attacks indicate a strong support that empowers Israel to continue destabilizing the Middle East, which is negatively affecting your economy?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: First of all, peace and stability in the Middle East are of utmost importance for Japan. With regard to the situations in Syria and Lebanon that you mentioned, Japan is deeply concerned about civilian casualties and the increase in the number of internally displaced persons.

That said, I believe the situation is slightly different from the point you made in your question. With regard to your point that Japan has not condemned the attacks, on March 6, I held a telephone meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Sa’ar of Israel regarding the situation in Iran, during which I conveyed Japan’s grave concern about the continuing exchange of retaliatory attacks and the deteriorating situation across the region, and urged Israel for an early de-escalation of the situation.

Independent Web Journal, HAMAMOTO: I would like to ask about the situation in Iran. Minister of Foreign Affairs Araghchi of Iran, in an interview with Kyodo News on March 22, reportedly stated that Iran was prepared to allow Japanese-related vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and had begun talks with Japan toward a temporary lifting of the closure. However, it was also reported that, on the same day, you denied that any negotiations with Foreign Minister Araghchi had taken place. Japan’s national oil reserves were equivalent to 146 days of consumption as of March 20, according to the announcement by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). If Japan is not currently holding talks with Iran, I think such talks should begin immediately. Is there any possibility of holding talks with Iran? If not, could you please explain the reasons for this to the public? Thank you.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: First of all, regarding Foreign Minister Araghchi’s remarks, while I am aware of them, my understanding is that he did not state that talks with Japan had commenced. You have understood it completely wrong.

As I have reiterated many times, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is of utmost importance. With some3,000 vessels present in the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring the safe passage of all vessels, regardless of nationality, is directly linked to energy security. Japanese vessels are, of course, among them.