Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Today I have traveled to the Republic of Korea (ROK) for the first time since I took office as Foreign Minister, to attend the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which will be held tomorrow for the first time in approximately four years.

Taking this opportunity, I have just held a Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Mr. Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of China, commencing at 5:30 p.m. for approximately 100 minutes.

This was my first meeting with Foreign Minister Wang, and we engaged in discussions from a wide point view and in a constructive manner, following the broad direction set out in the Japan-China Summit Meeting held on November 16.

I stated that I hoped to work closely with Foreign Minister Wang toward the development of Japan-China relations in line with the broad direction shared at the recent summit meeting, to comprehensively promote a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests,” and build “constructive and stable Japan-China relations” in order to carve out a new era in Japan-China relations. Foreign Minister Wang also expressed similar thoughts. We also confirmed that we will maintain close communication at all levels going forward. And we exchanged invitations for our mutual visits, and concluded that both sides will consider them.

In addition, with regard to the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, I strongly called for the immediate lifting of import restrictions on Japanese food products. On top of that, we shared the view that, while recognizing that there are differences in our respective positions, we will seek to find ways to resolve issues through consultations and dialogue in a constructive manner, as was confirmed in the summit meeting.
Furthermore, I expressed my serious concerns regarding the situation in the East China Sea including the situation surrounding the Senkaku Islands, the intensification of Chinese military activities near Japan, which include its collaboration with Russia, and other situations including in the South China Sea, Hong Kong, and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. I also called for the immediate removal of the buoy installed in Japan’s EEZ. Additionally, I expressed the importance of the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and strongly called for the early release of Japanese nationals detained in China.

In addition to pending issues in our bilateral relations, I discussed with Foreign Minister Wang about areas where we should cooperate. We also held a meaningful exchange of views on global issues, including women, peace and security (WPS), climate change, international health, and development finance, as well as developments surrounding North Korea.

Beyond that, we confirmed that we will communicate more closely in a wide range of areas moving forward. With regard to the area of security, we concurred on early holding of the Japan-China Security Dialogue. In addition, we also concurred on making arrangements toward holding the Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue and the Japan-China High-Level People-to-People and Cultural Exchange Dialogue in view of economic cooperation and expanded exchanges. Regarding global issues, too, we concurred to strengthen our cooperation in the field of WPS, and enhance communication between diplomatic authorities on matters relating to climate change policies and international health, including countermeasures against infectious diseases.

While Japan-China relations face many challenges and issues, as well as various possibilities for cooperation, both countries, as major powers, have huge responsibilities for the peace and prosperity of the region as well as the international community. I will closely communicate with Foreign Minister Wang so as to deepen and develop Japan-China relations in the broad direction shared by the leaders to build “constructive and stable Japan-China relations.” For that purpose, this was an extremely meaningful meeting in terms of building relations with Foreign Minister Wang as a counterpart.

Tomorrow afternoon, the milestone of the tenth Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held. During the meeting with Foreign Minister Park and Foreign Minister Wang, in preparation for the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit, I plan to raise various subjects, including the direction of the trilateral cooperation in the current global environment, concrete cooperation initiatives that are beneficial to the three countries, and regional and international issues. Given the strategic and broad significance of cooperation among Japan, China, and the ROK, I intend to have active discussions among the three.

Finally, I would like to welcome the beginning of the release of hostages on November 25, Japan time, based on the deal between Israel and Hamas. I also express my respect for the efforts of the countries concerned. We hope that the agreement will continue to be implemented steadily, as well as that the pause in fighting will be continued in the long term.

Reporter: In the meeting, I believe that the topics raised included the issue of the discharge of ALPS treated water, the detention of Japanese nationals in China, and the installation of a buoy by China in Japan’s EEZ. Please tell us what kind of assertions Japan made and whether any concrete progress was made. In addition, as the meeting significantly exceeded the scheduled time, could you tell us about the atmosphere of your meeting with Foreign Minister Wang and your overall impressions?

Minister Kamikawa: With regard to ALPS treater water in your first question, I strongly called for a calm response based on scientific evidence and the immediate lifting of import restrictions on Japanese food products. On top of that, based on the outcomes of the recent summit meeting, while recognizing that there are differences in our respective positions, we concluded that we will seek to find ways to resolve issues through consultations and dialogue in a constructive manner.
As for the detention of Japanese nationals in China, Japan has reached out to the Chinese side through various opportunities and at various levels. Once again, in this meeting, I strongly called for the early release of Japanese nationals. Japan will continue dialogue with China including on pending issues, while firmly maintaining and asserting our position and strongly requesting China’s responsible actions.

On my candid impression of the meeting significantly exceeding the scheduled time, firstly, it was a meeting based on the recognitions shared between the two leaders at the recent summit meeting. On that basis, we were able to exchange views on a broad range of areas, including various issues to be further materialized and pending issues in the bilateral relations. I believe that this was a crucial step toward building constructive Japan-China relations moving forward.

I believe that we were able to engage in candid and earnest exchanges of views.

Reporter: I have another question about ALPS treated water, which is a pending issue in Japan-China relations. You stated that you called for the immediate lifting of import restrictions on Japanese food products. Could you share with us how the Chinese side responded? Please also share with us your thoughts on the path to resolving the issue, given that the possibility of consultations at the expert level is also being discussed.

Minister Kamikawa: Regarding the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, as I stated earlier, I strongly called for a calm response based on scientific evidence and the immediate lifting of import restrictions on Japanese food products.

I would like to refrain from answering about the details as they are a matter of diplomatic interaction. On the expert-level consultations you referred to, in today’s meeting with Foreign Minister Wang, we reaffirmed that we will seek to find ways to resolve issues through consultations and dialogue in a constructive manner. On that basis, we will make arrangements in the future.

The Government of Japan will continue to make use of such meetings to explain Japan’s measures on the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea in a transparent manner.

Reporter: I have two questions relating to ALPS treated water.

You just stated that you intend to make arrangements for consultations at the expert level, so does that mean that your raising of this matter has resulted in a common recognition between Japan and China on the necessity for expert-level consultations? In addition, China has repeatedly called for conducting its own monitoring of ALPS treated water. Was there any mention in today’s meeting of such a monitoring by China?

Minister Kamikawa: As I stated earlier, at today’s foreign ministers’ meeting, based on the outcomes of the recent summit meeting, we shared the view that we will seek to find ways to resolve issues through consultations and dialogue in a constructive manner. I believe that science-based discussions at the expert level like those you mentioned will be held in due course.

Regarding statements made by China in the meeting, I would like to refrain from answering. On the subject of monitoring, I think that it goes without saying that all such monitoring is predicated on principles of national sovereignty and the authority and independence of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

In any case, the Government will continue to explain Japan’s measures on the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea in a transparent manner, making use of communication among experts.

Reporter: You have just stated that one of the outcomes of the meeting was concurrence on making arrangements for the Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue, the holding of which at an appropriate time was affirmed in the summit meeting, toward the building of a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests.” Could you share with us whether any progress was made concerning the specific timing and themes of the meeting? Moreover, could you tell us what kind of views were exchanged on mutual visits at the leader level and foreign minister level, including in terms of economic dialogue? Please also tell us the expected timing for mutual visits by foreign ministers.

Minister Kamikawa: Firstly, I confirmed with Foreign Minister Wang that we will work closely together toward the development of Japan-China relations in line with the broad direction shared at the summit meeting on November 16, to comprehensively promote a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests,” and build “constructive and stable Japan-China relations” in order to carve out a new era in Japan-China relations. We also confirmed that we will maintain close communication at all levels going forward.

Concerning the Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue you mentioned in your question, at the recent summit meeting the two leaders concurred on holding the dialogue at an appropriate time, and we concurred that we will make arrangements on specific timing moving forward.

As for the mutual visits at the leader and foreign minister level, we did not discuss anything specific about mutual leader level visits. With regard to the mutual foreign minister visits, as I mentioned earlier, we will communicate and make arrangements on them.