Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have one announcement.

I will visit Busan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), from November 25 to 26, to attend the tenth Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

In the meeting, which will be held for the first time in approximately four years, I will discuss with Mr. Park Jin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the ROK, and Mr. Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of China, the direction of the trilateral cooperation in the current global environment, concrete cooperation initiatives that are beneficial to the three countries, and regional issues, as preparation for the next trilateral summit meeting.

I intend to actively participate in the discussions in view of the strategic significance of the trilateral meeting and cooperation.

That is all from me.

NHK, Igarashi: I would like to ask about the Japan-China-ROK meeting you mentioned in your opening remarks. If the foreign ministers’ meeting between the three countries scheduled the day after tomorrow is held, it will be the first time in four years since the previous meeting in August 2019. At the meeting, what do you intend to discuss with the other ministers? Please also tell us how you, as Minister, will urge the two countries to resume the trilateral summit meeting.

Minister Kamikawa: The first question concerned the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting I spoke about at the outset.

The meeting will be held for the first time in approximately four years. On the basis of the accumulation of the discussions and initiatives the three countries have conducted to date, I will discuss the direction of concrete cooperation in the current international situations, efforts to address global challenges, and regional issues.

With the international community experiencing significant challenges and changes and being at a historic turning point, I look forward to holding discussions in view of the strategic and broad significance of trilateral cooperation.

The next question was about how I, as Foreign Minister, will urge the two countries to resume the trilateral summit meeting. The summit’s date and other details are still undecided. Japan will do its utmost to support the ROK, the Presidency of the trilateral process, toward holding the summit as early as possible at an appropriate time.

Asahi Shimbun, Matsuyama: I have a question coinciding with your upcoming visit to the ROK. In a lawsuit filed by 16 former comfort women of the then Japanese military and others seeking compensation from the Government of Japan, the Seoul High Court of the ROK rendered a judgement on November 23 in favor of the plaintiffs, ordering Japan to pay compensation. In light of this judgment, please tell us what you intend to state to the ROK at the Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and other occasions during your visit to the ROK from tomorrow. In addition, how do you think this judgment will affect the Japan-ROK relationship, which had been improving?

Minister Kamikawa: I would like to refrain from prejudging an individual agenda item of our discussions. Generally speaking, I believe bilateral meetings provide an opportunity for Foreign Ministers to discuss matters of interest and concerns for each other.

As we have been stating, Japan and the ROK are important neighbors for one another and we should work together in dealing with various issues of the international community. Considering the current severe security environment, including North Korea’s repeated launches using ballistic missile technology, close Japan-ROK cooperation has never been more necessary than it is now, along with close Japan-U.S. and Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation. In this situation, Japan and the ROK have been actively moving our relationship forward under the leadership of our two leaders. We will continue to advance efforts in various areas.

At the same time, it is a matter of course that the two countries should continue to appropriately manage the various issues between them and try to communicate closely with each other.

Japan has already conveyed to the ROK that the this judgment is clearly contrary to international law and agreements between the two countries, and therefore extremely regrettable and absolutely unacceptable.

We will continue to strongly urge the ROK to take appropriate measures.

Asahi Shimbun, Matsuyama: Please allow me to ask another question regarding a different topic. It has been reported that a ceasefire between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas began from 2 p.m. today. I do not know the current situation, but could you please share your reaction to this? Additionally, if a humanitarian pause is realized, what will Japan address the situation in the mid- to long-term? Furthermore, Japan has been calling on both countries for a “two-state solution.” Please explain what concrete measures Japan will be taking for its realization.

Minister Kamikawa: First, regarding the four-day pause, we are aware that, according to the announcement by the Government of Qatar on November 23, Japan time, Israel and Hamas will implement a pause from 2 p.m. on November 24, Japan time, and of the 50 hostages, the first group of 13 hostages, including women and children, are planned to be released from around 11 p.m. of the same day. In addition, we understand that the Government of Israel announced it has received a list of the hostages to be released.

Japan welcomes this important move toward the release of the hostages and an improvement in the humanitarian situation. We also pay respect to the efforts made by the countries concerned. We expect the agreement’s steady implementation, as well as the continued release of hostages and the continuation of the pause.

With regard to the mid- to long-term, Japan has consistently supported a “two-state solution” whereby Israel and a future independent Palestinian state coexist in peace and security.

First and foremost, it is important to actively and persistently continue our diplomatic efforts toward improving the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and calming down the situation as soon as possible. After that, with a vew to realizing a “two-state solution,” we will hold discussions with Israel, Palestine, and other countries concerned and make efforts to promote confidence-building between the Israeli and the Palestinian sides through our own efforts, including the “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity” initiative.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: My question is a follow-up to that question, Palestinian and Arab leaders called on the international community to force Israel to withdraw from the occupied land. Japan has also been vocal on this issue of Israel violating international law So, do you support imposing sanctions on Israel to enforce the UN resolutions that Israel has been ignoring for many years This would certainly force Israel to stop the genocide and extermination war against the Palestinian people especially children as we saw in the pictures everywhere. Thus, this will help also stabilizing the Middle East which is Japan’s main source of oil and energy.

Minister Kamikawa: In the Gaza Strip, there have been numerous deaths and injuries including children, women, and elderly people. The Government of Japan is paying close attention to this critical humanitarian situation with serious concern.

In the current situation, Japan has been consistently calling on all parties to act in accordance with international law. We have been urging Israel to act in accordance with international law in view of the importance of protecting civilians, while stating that Japan unequivocally condemns the terror attacks by Hamas and others. Additionally, I directly conveyed Japan’s stance to Foreign Minister Cohen during my visit to Israel. We intend to persistently continue such diplomatic efforts.

Japan has consistently supported a “two-state solution” whereby Israel and a future independent Palestinian state coexist in peace and security. Even before this conflict broke out, we have repeatedly urged Israel and Palestine to refrain from unilateral measures, including the building of additional settlements, that would adversely affect the realization of a “two-state solution.”

We will actively and persistently continue our diplomatic efforts to calm down the situation as soon as possible and improve the humanitarian situation through directly appealing to both Israel and Palestine. At the same time, we will make efforts to promote confidence-building between the Israeli and the Palestinian sides through Japan’s own efforts, including the “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity” initiative.

Anadolu Agency, Furkan: I too have a question on the situation surrounding Palestine. What is the Government of Japan’s assessment of the Israel-Hamas compromise on a humanitarian pause in conflict? Is the humanitarian pause in conflict sufficient, or is a complete ceasefire necessary? In a speech you delivered in Cairo last month, you stated, “Japan’s firm commitment for Palestine will never change.” In this regard, what concrete support can Japan provide for the viability of a Palestinian state? Thank you.

Minister Kamikawa: Japan is deeply concerned that the situation in the Gaza Strip is becoming increasingly severe, and that it could spread to and destabilize the broader region. We strongly hope that the situation calms down as soon as possible and peace and stability without terrorism and violence is realized in the region.

Considering the course of events and the complex background, it is necessary to continue building up achievements to reach a “ceasefire.” Under these circumstances, what we should be doing now is urging Israel to ensure humanitarian pauses and humanitarian access and working hard toward their realization. We believe that this is a top priority to even slightly alleviate the dire situation facing many civilians, including children, women, and the elderly, who are suffering on the ground.

In this context, we are aware that, according to the announcement by the Government of Qatar on November 23, Japan time, Israel and Hamas will implement a pause from 2 p.m. on November 24, Japan time, and of the 50 hostages, the first group of 13 hostages, including women and children, are planned to be released from around 11 p.m. of the same day. In addition, we understand that the Government of Israel announced it has received a list of the hostages to be released. Japan welcomes this important move toward the release of the hostages and an improvement in the humanitarian situation. We also pay respect to the efforts made by the countries concerned. We expect that the agreement will be implemented steadily.