Press Conferences

Foreign Press Secretary KITAMURA Toshihiro: At the outset, I have one announcement on Japan-Australia relations.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Japan and Australia. It is an opportunity to elevate the “Special Strategic Partnership” between the two countries to a higher level. The Government of Japan intends to further strengthen relations in a wide range of fields, including security, economy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

In addition, earlier this week, the Australia-Japan Joint Business Conference, which brings together leading figures from the business communities of both countries, was held in Makuhari, Chiba City. Tomorrow, the Inaugural Japan-Australia Leadership Dialogue will be held in Tokyo. This is the initiative that Prime Minister TAKAICHI and Prime Minister Albanese concurred on launching during Prime Minister TAKAICHI’s visit to Australia this May. Members from the political, governmental, business, and academic communities of both countries will discuss cooperation across a wide range of fields, including political and economic affairs.

Going forward, the Japan-Australia Leadership Dialogue is expected to be held once a year, alternately in the two countries, to discuss the future vision for the bilateral relationship and to make policy recommendations on a broad range of areas of Japan-Australia cooperation.

That is all from me.

Yomiuri Shimbun, FUKAZAWA: I would like to ask about Japan’s external communication. The governments of China and Russia have recently stepped up their “new militarism” claims against Japan’s TAKAICHI administration. At the recent United Nations (UN) General Assembly session, China and North Korea made statements criticizing Prime Minister TAKAICHI’s general debate address, in which she called for the deletion of the “enemy state” clauses from the UN Charter. These claims appear to disregard or downplay Japan’s path and efforts as a peace-loving nation in the postwar period. How does the Government of Japan intend to counter these claims in its communications with the international community?

Press Secretary KITAMURA: First and foremost, I would like to clarify that Japan has consistently followed the path of a peace-loving nation since the end of World War II and has contributed to peace and prosperity not only in Asia but throughout the world by upholding freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. The path Japan has followed as a peace-loving nation in the postwar period will remain unchanged going forward.

With regard to the claims against Japan’s policies and positions, which are contrary to the fact, such as those you referred to, the Government of Japan has consistently and firmly countered and communicated our position. Most recently, at last month’s address at the UN General Assembly session you referred to, Prime Minister TAKAICHI strongly emphasized that, “in the 70 years since we became a UN Member State, Japan has consistently contributed to the peace and prosperity of the international community as a peace-loving nation, under its exclusively defense-oriented policy.”

As part of our ongoing efforts, we have been making use of social media and other platforms. Recently, we conveyed Japan’s position regarding the “enemy states” clauses on the MOFA’s official X.

In addition to broadly communicating the position of the Government of Japan to the international community, we believe it is extremely important to obtain the understanding of individual countries. To this end, we have taken opportunities, including summit meetings and foreign ministers’ meetings with various countries, to explain Japan’s position.

I myself have accompanied the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister on their overseas visits as a spokesperson. Through exchanging views with local media, I have been making efforts to explain Japan’s path as a peace-loving nation in the postwar period.

Going forward, we believe it is important to explain and communicate Japan’s positions and views to the international community in an appropriate and timely manner, and we intend to further strengthen our efforts.

Kyodo News, HIGA: There have been reports that at a press conference on September 30, Guo Jiakun, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, referred to Prime Minister TAKAICHI by name alone, without her title as Japanese Prime Minister, when criticizing her administration. It has been pointed out that omitting the title is unusual and deliberate. I would like to ask the view of the Government of Japan on this.

Press Secretary KITAMURA: We are aware of the remarks by the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that you referred to, but I would like to refrain from commenting on individual remarks.

In any case, we consider it a matter of course under international protocol to pay due respect to a leader of a country, even when positions differ. Based on this position, we have made a démarche to China accordingly.

Okinawa Times, MATSUDA: On the evening of October 6, the III Marine Expeditionary Force, stationed in Okinawa, announced on its official X account that all the U.S. forces in Okinawa would cease normal operations for 48 hours, from noon on October 7 through noon on October 9. Does this mean that military duties will be paused and all military operations will be ceased? I would like to ask to what extent MOFA has been briefed on this matter.

Press Secretary KITAMURA: Regarding the announcement made on the evening of October 6 in response to the recent incident that you have referred to, we understand that Lt. Gen. Watson, Okinawa Area Coordinator, issued the following orders to all U.S. military personnel stationed in Okinawa; first, (1) to cease all operations for 48 hours from noon on October 7 through noon on October 9, to impose a curfew, and to prohibit alcohol consumption; and second, (2) to prohibit nighttime liberty during the 30-day period of reflection beginning on October 9.

Japan and the U.S. have regularly maintained close communication with each other on various issues related to the stationing of U.S. forces in Japan, and we received an explanation about the content of the announcement from the U.S. in advance. However, as we understand that further details will be provided by the U.S. in due course, I would like to refrain from going into details here in my capacity.

In any case, the Government of Japan recognizes that incidents involving U.S. military personnel cause significant anxiety among the local community and should never occur. We will continue to discuss with the U.S. how to implement practical and effective measures to prevent the occurrence of such incidents.

Okinawa Times, MATSUDA: Minister MOTEGI and Governor of Okinawa Prefecture KOJA held a meeting this morning. I would like to ask what exchanges took place in the meeting after the press left. Now that the meeting is over, how does MOFA intend to implement effective measures in order to prevent the recurrence of such incidents? In addition, Governor KOJA’s written request also calls for the revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). I would also like to ask for your thoughts on how MOFA intends to address the issue.

Press Secretary KITAMURA: As you noted, Foreign Minister MOTEGI and Governor of Okinawa Prefecture KOJA held a meeting today. As for the exchanges after the media left, I would like to refrain from describing the details here, as I understand that a meeting between the Governor and the Prime Minister is also scheduled later today.

That being said, as you pointed out, we intend to continue close consultations with the U.S. on how to implement effective measures in order to prevent such incidents from occurring.

On your final question regarding the SOFA, Japan’s position is as Foreign Minister MOTEGI stated at his press conference yesterday. That is to say, the Government has addressed specific issues one by one through the most appropriate measures that enable effective and quick responses depending on the nature of each matter or case. As Minister MOTEGI mentioned yesterday by way of example, two supplementary agreements were concluded, one in 2015 on environmental stewardship and one in 2017 on the civilian component.

The Government’s basic stance is to continuously examine how the Japan-U.S. SOFA should be structured by building on these efforts.

Kyodo News, HIGA: In relation to my earlier question, you mentioned that a démarche has been made as per international protocol. Was the démarche made concerning the omission of the title? In addition, if a démarche was actually made, could you please specify at what level it was made?

Press Secretary KITAMURA: What I stated earlier was the position of the Government of Japan that we consider it a matter of course under international protocol to pay due respect to a leader of a country.

On that basis, we have made a démarche, as appropriate, to China on this matter. However, I would like to refrain from disclosing the details here, as they concern diplomatic exchanges.