Press Conferences

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: I have one announcement on an Emergency Grant.

The Government of Japan decided today to provide an Emergency Grant of USD 3.5 million to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Uganda in response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in mid-May. The grant will be provided in partnership with international organizations in order to meet emergency humanitarian needs in such areas as health, water, sanitation and hygiene.

To help the DRC and Uganda contain the Ebola virus disease outbreak as quickly as possible, Japan intends to continue responding to this issue in cooperation with the governments of both counties and the international community.

Kyodo News, ONDA: I would like to ask about the talks between the U.S. and Iran. On June 21, the two countries held four-party talks in Switzerland with Pakistan and Qatar serving as mediators. Iran strongly demanded an end to military operations in Lebanon, while U.S. President Trump warned of resuming attacks in response to Iran’s announcement that it would reimpose a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, which has complicated the talks. Could you please share your views on the start of the talks, as well as Japan’s expectations for the discussions going forward?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: On June 21, the U.S. and Iran held talks mediated by Pakistan and Qatar in Switzerland —the first round of talks following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the U.S. and Iran. I believe that the situation has not become “complicated” as you described.

Japan strongly hopes that free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is swiftly reestablished through the steady implementation of the MoU by all parties, and that a final agreement will be achieved as soon as possible.

From this perspective, Japan welcomes the convening of the recent talks. Japan believes that it is important for the entire international community, including the mediating countries, to create a conducive environment so that the talks between the U.S. and Iran will proceed smoothly, and Japan will continue to make every diplomatic effort to support this process.