Press Conferences

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: I have two announcements at the outset.

First, regarding relation with France, the Eighth Japan-France Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting, known as the “2+2,” will be held at the Iikura Guest House in the afternoon of tomorrow, April 1. I will attend on the Japanese side together with Minister of Defense KOIZUMI, while Foreign Minister Barrot and Armed Forces Minister Vautrin will attend on the French side.

President Macron will pay an Official Visit to Japan starting today, and a Japan-France Summit Meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. France is an Exceptional Partner sharing common values and principles with Japan and we believe that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific is inseparable.

At the meeting, we intend to have candid discussions on topics, including security and defense cooperation between Japan and France, the ongoing tense situation in the Middle East, and regional issues, such as the increasingly severe situation in the Indo-Pacific, thereby further strengthen the bilateral cooperation.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: The second announcement pertains to India. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will establish the Japan-India Economic Affairs Division under the Southwest Asia Division of the Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department, tomorrow, April 1.

Supported by a high rate of economic growth and other factors, India has developed into an emerging market and a manufacturing hub that is attracting the attention of Japanese companies. Japan-India cooperation in the economic field is also becoming increasingly important. Through the establishment of the Japan-India Economic Affairs Division, MOFA will further make public-private efforts to promote companies’ expansion of business and investment from Japan to India and to deepen cooperation in the area of economic security with India.

That concludes my opening remarks.

Kyodo News, ONDA: I would like to ask about Japan-France relations that you mentioned at the outset. The Office of the President of France has explained that the situation in the Middle East will be the central agenda item of this visit. Please tell us what Japan expects to discuss, either between the leaders or at the “2+2” meeting, regarding efforts to overcome the energy crisis. Thank you.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: At the Japan-France Summit Meeting tomorrow, I expect discussions to be held across a wide range of areas and, as a matter of course, on regional issues as well.

Regarding the situation in the Middle East, including the situation in Iran, I believe that discussions will be held on enhancing diplomatic efforts toward an early de-escalation of the situation and ensuring the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as on how Japan and France can cooperate on these matters.

Nikkei Shimbun, HORIKOSHI: I would like to ask about your second announcement regarding the Japan-India Economic Affairs Division. I understand that this new division was established to further deepen Japan-India economic relations. India is currently experiencing remarkable economic growth. Could you share your views on what positive impact strengthening India-Japan economic relations will have on the Japanese economy, including your expectations in this regard?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: As I stated earlier, economic cooperation with India, a country with which we share common fundamental values and strategic interests, is becoming increasingly important. In particular, investment- and innovation-driven economic growth, as well as cooperation in economic security, will help address the challenges that the future generations of both countries will face. We believe that such economic growth and cooperation will form the basis of mutually complementary cooperation between the two countries in the years to come.

When I visited India in January of this year, I held a meeting with Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar. On that occasion, we concurred on advancing concrete initiatives that will contribute to enhancing the economic growth and economic security of both countries. Through the establishment of the Japan-India Economic Affairs Division, we intend to work toward strategically strengthening Japan-India economic relations going forward.

Kyodo News, ONDA: I would like to ask a follow-up question regarding the situation in Iran. According to The Wall Street Journal, President Trump reportedly told aides that he is willing to end the U.S. military operation against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains de facto closed. I imagine that the situation in Iran would have a significant impact. What is your reaction to this report?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: I am aware of the report. However, as has been the case in the past, the Government would like to refrain from commenting on individual media reports.

That being said, what is important now, above all, is to work toward an early de-escalation of the situation. To achieve this, Japan believes that it is essential to resolve the issue through dialogue. The U.S. and Iran are reported to be holding talks mediated by several countries, and Japan expects that these efforts will lead to positive results.

Additionally, ensuring the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is crucial from the perspective of energy security as well. To this end, Japan will make all necessary diplomatic efforts in coordination with the international community, including relevant countries and organizations.

Yomiuri Shimbun, FUKUDA: A joint analysis of social media posts by The Yomiuri Shimbun and Sakana AI has found that China highly likely to have launched another cognitive warfare campaign coinciding with the House of Representatives election this February, following its cognitive campaign related to Prime Minister TAKAICHI’s responses in the Diet last November. What are your views on the possibility that foreign forces attempted to influence public opinion and voting behavior during the election? Do you think the Government’s current measures to counter foreign cognitive warfare are sufficient? I would appreciate it if you could share your views.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: As I believe I also stated at last week’s press conference, I would like to refrain from providing my own assessment of individual surveys conducted by private organizations, while recognizing The Yomiuri Shimbun as a reputable organization. That being said, I believe that universal values, such as freedom and democracy, should be respected in all countries, and that foreign interference in elections poses a threat to democracy.

As competition between states spreads even to the human cognitive domain due to rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, MOFA has been strengthening efforts to counter cognitive warfare. MOFA will enhance its information gathering and analysis capabilities through the use of AI and other tools, while pursuing strategic communication, including the proactive use of social media, to counter disinformation and misinformation, and further promote external communication consistent with national interests.

Chugoku Shimbun, KOBAYASHI: Please allow me to ask about your recent Japan-France Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. At the beginning of this month, President Macron of France announced that France will increase the number of nuclear warheads, thereby materializing a policy of providing nuclear deterrence capabilities to Europe. At your press conference on March 3, you stated that Japan will communicate closely with France regarding the background and concerns surrounding this policy. Was there any discussion, even briefly, on the France’s nuclear policy at the Japan-France Foreign Ministers’ Meeting? If so, could you tell us what were the details and what view the Government of Japan conveyed as the country that has suffered atomic bombings?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: Regarding the content of the Japan-France Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held last week in France, we have already released an overview in a press release. I would like to refrain from disclosing further details as they are diplomatic communications.

I have consistently refrained from commenting on the policies of other countries. That being said, Japan will continue maintaining close communication with France regarding the background and concerns surrounding France’s policy announced at the beginning of this month, while closely monitoring the situation with interest.