Press Conferences

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: I would like to make an announcement regarding the Diplomatic Bluebook.

I unveiled Diplomatic Bluebook 2026 at the Cabinet meeting today.

The Diplomatic Bluebook is a record of Japan’s diplomatic activities published annually since 1957. Each volume documents the diplomatic efforts and activities undertaken by Japan within the international community.

Yesterday, I visited the library at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). I reviewed several editions of the Diplomatic Bluebook and was reminded of how much the circumstances have changed from one period to another.

The world today is undergoing significant structural changes. The security environment surrounding Japan is also becoming even more severe.

Amid these circumstances, in order to promote “Responsible Japanese Diplomacy Creating Peace and Prosperity” advocated by the Takaichi Cabinet, we will pursue diplomacy that responds to changes in the international environment, and combines “inclusiveness with strength in leading multifaceted and multilayered collaboration,” thereby protecting Japan’s national interests and meeting the expectations of the international community. In this year’s Diplomatic Bluebook, these Japanese diplomatic initiatives are explained in a comprehensive and easy-to-understand manner.

Diplomatic Bluebook 2026 is now available on the MOFA website. We hope that it will be read by many people and will help deepen public understanding of Japan’s diplomacy.

Kyodo News, ONDA: I would like to ask about the Diplomatic Bluebook you mentioned in your opening remarks. In last year’s volume, Japan-China relations were described as “one of Japan’s most important bilateral relations.” This year, however, the wording has been changed to an “important neighboring country.” I believe that this change reflects China’s increased use of economic coercion following Prime Minister Takaichi’s responses in the Diet regarding a potential Taiwan contingency. Could you please explain the reason behind the change and, once again, how you intend to work toward resuming dialogue with China?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: As I mentioned earlier, I read several editions of the Diplomatic Bluebook yesterday, and found that its contents change considerably from year to year. For instance, as1957 was the year following Japan’s accession to the United Nations, the Diplomatic Bluebook described it as a year of major changes. Differences in wording were also evident across the periods, from the Cold War era to the years that followed. The wording used in the Diplomatic Bluebook is determined based on a comprehensive assessment of various factors, and it is true that phrasing changes each year across many topics.

That being said, our policy of comprehensively promoting a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests” with China and building “constructive and stable Japan-China relations” has remained consistent, and we noted to this effect in both last year’s and this year’s Diplomatic Bluebook.

Precisely because there are issues and concerns, it is all the more important for Japan and China to communicate with each other, and Japan remains open to various dialogues with China. Japan will continue responding calmly and appropriately based on this stance going forward.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: My question is about Lebanon. Israel has been conducting systematic bombings in Lebanon, resulting in hundreds of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. Please share Japan’s position on these Israeli attacks on Lebanon, as well as Israeli plans to annex southern Lebanon and alter the status quo by force. Japan has condemned Russia for invading Ukraine and for changing the status quo by force. Don’t you think that not condemning Israel and not applying sanctions against it, as you did against Russia, is considered encouragement for Israel to invade and destroy Lebanon?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: I have just issued a statement on the situation in Lebanon, and I kindly ask you to refer to it for details. To summarize, Japan is deeply concerned about the escalation of attacks between the two sides, resulting in numerous civilian casualties and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure.

Japan expresses its serious concern over the implementation of the ground operation in Lebanon by the Israel Defense Forces, and strongly calls for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity to be respected.

Japan calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, and strongly urges all parties to make sincere efforts for a diplomatic settlement.