Press Conferences

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: It has been some time since my last press conference with both Golden Week and my visit to Africa taking place in between.

Since we already provided information regarding my visit to Africa in a timely manner from each country visited, and issued press releases about my telephone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi in Kenya, among other matters, I do not have any particular announcements to make today.

Kyodo News, ONDA: I would like to ask about the U.S.-China Summit meeting. It has been announced that the meeting will be held on May 14. The agenda is expected to include the situation in Iran and the establishment of a committee on bilateral trade and investment. I believe developments in U.S.-China relations, including economic relations, will have a significant impact on Japan as well. What are your expectations for the summit discussions?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: While the U.S.-China Summit meeting is certainly attracting global attention, I would like to refrain from commenting on individual developments between the U.S. and China. That being said, generally speaking, we believe it is extremely important that U.S.-China relations contribute to the stability of the international community, including Japan.

From this perspective, Japan and the U.S. have consistently maintained communication. I myself intend to have a candid exchange of views with Treasury Secretary Bessent in our meeting scheduled for later today.

In any case, based on our strong relationship of trust with our ally, the U.S., Japan considers it important to continue to encourage China to fulfill responsibilities commensurate with its international standing.

Asahi Shimbun, MIYAWAKI: Yesterday, the Government of Japan signed and exchanged notes with the United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative in Cuba for a grant aid to install solar panels at hospitals in Cuba. I would like to ask you how you view the significance and objective of this assistance.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: Crude oil and other resources have been slow to arrive in Cuba, causing serious power shortages and frequent large-scale blackouts across the country. This has had an impact on various economic activities, particularly on the provision of stable medical services. Securing power supplies, especially for hospitals, is an urgent issue.

The latest assistance, which involves the installation of solar panels and other equipment, aims to stabilize the energy supply and enhance the sustainability of medical services at ten hospitals, thereby improving the current severe humanitarian situation in Cuba, which faces the challenging circumstances I just described.

Sankei Shimbun, NAGAHARA: In response to reports that the Government of Japan plans to send an economic delegation to Russia, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry posted on X on May 9 that this is not the time to pursue new cooperation with Russia. It also stated that Japanese government officials will visit Russia at the end of May to protect the assets of Japanese companies operating there. Meanwhile, House of Councillors member SUZUKI Muneo, who recently visited Russia, referred to a possible Foreign Ministers’ meeting during the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ meetings to be held in the Philippines in July. There have been a number of reports suggesting that Japan-Russia relations may be improving. In light of this, could you once again share your thoughts on how Japan should approach its relations with Russia?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: First of all, Japan’s basic position is that, as I have repeatedly stated, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundation of the international order and undermines peace and stability of the entire international community. From this perspective, Japan has imposed sanctions against Russia in coordination with the international community, including the G7, and this policy remains unchanged.

At the same time, Russia is a neighboring country of Japan, and it is important to properly manage the bilateral relations. We will continue to take appropriate actions from the perspective of what is in Japan’s national interests in our overall diplomacy.