Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I am very pleased that the Tenth Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting between Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea (ROK) was held successfully today in this scenic area of Haeundae, Busan.

Before the meeting, I held my third Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin in the morning. I welcomed the frequent communication between our leaders and ourselves, including during the APEC Leaders’ Week 2023, and stated that holding successive meetings is important for deepening the understanding of the similarities and differences between our stances and views, as well as for expanding the scope of our coordination and cooperation.

At the same time, regarding the judgment of the Seoul High Court of the ROK in the lawsuit filed by former comfort women and others, I reiterated my regret and urged the Government of the ROK to take appropriate measures.

At the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held for the first time in four years, I emphasized the importance of promoting a future-oriented and practical cooperation between Japan, China and the ROK for peace and prosperity of the region and beyond from a broad perspective, with the international community at a historic turning point. We concurred on that recognition.

With that, considering the needs of a new era, we concurred on advancing cooperation on various areas including 1) people-to-people exchange, 2) science and technology, 3) sustainable development, 4) public health, 5) economic cooperation and trade, and 6) peace and security, toward the next Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit, which will also be held for the first time over four years.

In particular, I emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchange, including young people, and the three countries concurred on this point. Furthermore, I proposed the possibility of cooperation for women, peace and security (WPS) in areas including disaster prevention, and received support from my counterparts.

We also discussed the current international affairs including North Korea, which conducted a launch using ballistic missile technology on November 21, characterized as a satellite launch, the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine, and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. I also once again called for understanding and cooperation for the early resolution of the abductions issue.

Regarding the situation in the Middle East, I believe there was agreement on the importance of improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and that it is necessary to continue to make diplomatic efforts.

In this connection, we are aware that more hostages were released on November 25, Japan time, following on from the previous day. We welcome the continued implementation of the agreement. We expect that the agreement will continue to be implemented steadily, as well as that the pause in fighting will be continued in the long term.

Furthermore, based on these discussions, we concurred on expediting preparation for holding the trilateral summit at the earliest convenient time. We will arrange the date to hold it as soon as possible.

I will continue to work closely with Foreign Minister Park and Foreign Minister Wang to ensure that the coming trilateral summit will result in tangible outcomes, recalling the significance of trilateral commitment to dialogue and cooperation, when the international community is experiencing significant challenges and changes and at a historic turning point

That is all from me.

Reporter:I would like to ask about this morning’s Japan-ROK Foreign Minister’s Meeting. You said you reiterated your regret over the judgment of the Seoul High Court, which ordered Japan to pay compensation for the comfort women issue. However, in the ROK, it is reported that the ROK respects the 2015 agreement. Could you tell us what you discussed with the ROK side on this issue? Please also explain how Japan will be dealing and proceeding with this issue.

Minister Kamikawa: I have already issued a statement on November 23, which makes public the Government of Japan’s position on this matter. During today’s Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as well, I again lodged a protest that the rendering of such a judgment was extremely regrettable. I would like to refrain from disclosing any further detail as they are matters of diplomatic interactions including the ROK’s reaction. As a result of their great diplomatic efforts, the two governments confirmed in the 2015 Japan-ROK agreement that the comfort women issue was resolved finally and irreversibly. We understand that the ROK government has always acknowledged that this agreement was an official agreement between the two governments.

Reporter:My question is in relation to the Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. First, does the Government of Japan intend to support the holding of the World Expo 2030 in Busan? Did you express support during the meeting? Secondly, was the issue of ALPS treated water raised during the trilateral meeting? If so, please also tell us if you reiterated Japan’s position.

Minister Kamikawa:Firstly, with regard to whether I expressed support for the Busan Expo at the Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the host country of the World Exposition will be decided by secret ballot. Accordingly, Japan will not be disclosing its position on this matter, and I would like to refrain from making any comment. We discussed various pending issues and others. However, I would like to refrain from disclosing our interactons.

Reporter:I would like to ask about the concrete outcomes of the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Please tell us what the three ministers confirmed specifically. In addition, I think you said in your opening remarks that the three ministers will cooperate in the areas including security. How will Japan be advancing such cooperation?

Minister Kamikawa:At the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which is the milestone tenth meeting, we once again concurred on the importance of promoting a future-oriented and practical cooperation between Japan, China and the ROK for peace and prosperity of the region and beyond from a broad perspective. In addition, as the future direction of concrete cooperation, as I mentioned earlier, we concurred on advancing efforts on various areas such as 1) people-to-people exchange, 2) science and technology, 3) sustainable development, 4) public health, 5) economic cooperation and trade, and 6) peace and security, and promoting concrete discussions among the three countries in preparation for the next summit. I consider that we were also able to exchange candid views on the current international affairs. With the international community experiencing significant challenges and changes and being at a historic turning point, the three foreign ministers confirmed the significance of the three countries committing to dialogue and cooperation at this time, as well as the direction of concrete cooperation, and we held forward-looking and constructive discussions. The revitalization of the Japan-China-ROK process was showcased to the international community, which was an important step for holding the coming trilateral summit.

Reporter:You mentioned that preparation will be expedited for holding the trilateral summit at the earliest convenient time. By when do you expect to hold the summit? Did the three countries concur on the target date?

Minister Kamikawa:At the foreign ministers’ meeting, we concurred on expediting preparation for holding the summit at the earliest convenient time. We will arrange the date to hold it as soon as possible. Japan will do its utmost to support the ROK, the Presidency of the trilateral process.

Reporter:I have two questions concerning the trilateral discussions on North Korea.

My first question is that, whereas Japan and the ROK have clearly condemned the launch of a military reconnaissance satellite, China has not expressed its clear condemnation. Did China criticize this in the meeting? Additionally, what did Japan urge China on the role it can fulfill in terms of the developments surrounding North Korea?

My other question is that, in the previous foreign ministers’ meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the three countries reached a shared view on the full implementation of the sanctions resolutions toward North Korea’s denuclearization. Please tell us if the ministers were able to concur on this point today.

Minister Kamikawa:I believe your question was about what Japan urged China in terms of the developments surrounding North Korea. Through yesterday’s Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and today’s Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I expressed deep concern over North Korea’s launch on November 21 using ballistic missile technology, as well as our expectation that China will fulfill its role. In addition, I once again called for continued understanding and cooperation for the early resolution of the abductions issue. I would like to refrain from disclosing further details as they concern matters of diplomatic interactions. Japan will convey its stance and continue to communicate closely with China at all levels .