Press Conferences
Press Conference by Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko
Friday, December 1, 2023, 11:14 a.m. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Japanese
Opening Remarks
(1) Additional Sanctions against North Korea
Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have two announcements.
The first is about additional sanctions against North Korea.
Since last year, North Korea has continued to take a series of provocative actions, including repeating ballistic missile launches with unprecedented frequency and in new manners. Additionally, North Korea forcefully conducted a launch using ballistic missile technology for the purpose of a satellite launch on November 21. Such activities pose a grave and imminent threat to Japan’s national security, and threaten the peace and security of the region and the international community. It is totally unacceptable for Japan.
Under these circumstances, in alignment with the United States, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and this time Australia as well, today’s cabinet meeting approved further measures against North Korea to seek a comprehensive resolution of issues of concern, such as the abductions, nuclear, and missiles issues. Four entities and five individuals involved in nuclear and missile development, which is prohibited by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions related to North Korea, were additionally designated as subject to asset freeze and other measures under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act.
Japan strongly urges North Korea to take concrete actions to resolve issues of concern, such as the abductions, nuclear, and missile issues. We will continue to coordinate closely with the countries concerned, including the United States, the ROK, and Australia, as well as work with the international community in calling for the complete dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
(2) Courtesy Call by the Ambassadors of Group of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC) Countries to Japan and by the SADC (Southern African Development Community) Diplomatic Missions to Japan (Outreach Diplomacy)
Minister Kamikawa: The second announcement is about outreach diplomacy.
As part of my outreach diplomacy in Japan, I have met with representatives of the Middle East and ASEAN countries, and yesterday, November 30, I received a courtesy call from 21 ambassadors of GRULAC countries to Japan.
Next year, Peru will have the APEC presidency and Brazil the G20 presidency. Throughout the year, the world’s attention will be drawn unprecedentedly to Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). I have always believed that human relations are at the core of diplomacy. Through substantive discussions with the GRULAC ambassadors, I feel we were able to build up our human relations and made a good start in further strengthening the relationship between Japan and LAC in the lead-up to next year.
I introduced Japan’s efforts toward international situations including the Middle East and Ukraine, the realization of “a world without nuclear weapons” and “women, peace, and security (WPS).” In response, the GRULAC ambassadors praised Japan’s efforts, and we confirmed that we will further enhance bilateral cooperation, as well as Japan-LAC cooperation in international fora.
In addition, I explained the discharge of the ALPS treated water from the Fukushima Daichi Nuclear Power Station into the sea. Those GRULAC ambassadors who had visited Fukushima Prefecture expressed their support for Japan’s efforts and the reconstruction of Fukushima.
Furthermore, today, December 1, I will be receiving a courtesy call from the SADC Diplomatic Missions to Japan. With a view to strengthening our collaboration, I look forward to holding substantive exchanges of views with Southern African countries, many of which are politically stable and share values with us such as the rule of law and democracy.
That is all from me.
Crash of U.S. Military Osprey Aircraft
Kyodo News, Katsurada: I have a question on the crash of a U.S. military Osprey aircraft. On November 30, the Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary stated during her press conference that the U.S. Department of Defense has not received an official request from Japan to suspend Osprey flights. You met with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Emanuel yesterday and requested that Osprey flight operations be conducted after safety examination. Is it correct to understand that this was a formal request to suspend flight operations? Has Japan received a response from the United States on Osprey flights? Please also tell us the latest information that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is aware of and how it will respond moving forward.
Minister Kamikawa: First, there was a question on the flight operations of U.S. military Osprey aircraft.
Yesterday, I conveyed to Ambassador Emanuel my wish for the crew members to be found safe with regard to the CV-22 Osprey incident which occurred off the shore of Yakushima Island on November 29. At the same time, I requested the U.S. side to confirm related facts and to promptly share information with the Japanese side.
I also requested the flight operations of Japan-deployed CV-22s to be conducted after undergoing necessary examination of the flight safety of the aircraft, excluding search and rescue operations. In response, Ambassador Emanuel stated that the United States has no higher priority than the safety of its servicemembers and of the Japanese people. The Ambassador also said the U.S. side is currently investigating the related facts and would continue to coordinate closely and share information with the Government of Japan.
We just confirmed with the U.S. Embassy to Japan that it views yesterday’s request as an official request.
Next, there was a question on the latest information that MOFA is aware of and how it will respond.
The Government of Japan’s priority is to do everything possible for the rescue effort while requesting the United States to confirm facts related to the accident.
MOFA has been working closely with relevant ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Defense and the Japan Coast Guard, and requesting the United States for its continued confirmation of related facts and prompt information sharing with the Japanese side. Yesterday, Ambassador Emanuel and I also agreed to closely work with each other on the issue.
We will continue to take appropriate responses in close coordination with the relevant ministries and agencies and the U.S. side.
Diplomatic Recognition of Palestine
Pan Orient News, Azhari: Japan has expressed clear support for the establishment of a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine. Israel, however, is accused by most Arabic media and officials of trying to exterminate all Palestinians, and this is seen in its latest genocide war against the Palestinian people especially the children. My question is would Japan recognize a Palestinian state.
Minister Kamikawa: Japan has consistently supported a two-state solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict and the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish an independent state. Therefore we have provided political and economic assistance to the Palestinian people who strive to realize the establishment of their independent state.
Japan will continue to review comprehensively on its diplomatic recognition of Palestine from the perspective of whether it can contribute to progress in the peace process.
Possibility of a Meeting between Prime Minister Kishida and President Abbas of Palestine
Anadolu Agency, Mercan: Does Prime Minister Kishida have any plans to visit Palestine during a Middle East tour in order to hold a one-on-one meeting with President Abbas of Palestine? What proactive role do you think Japan can play in mitigating the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and its rebuilding for a new era?
Minister Kamikawa: In the Gaza Strip, there have been numerous deaths and injuries including children, women, and elderly people. Japan has been paying close attention to this critical humanitarian situation with serious concern.
Under such a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, Japan welcomes the ongoing release of hostages and the extension of the humanitarian pause. While cooperating with the countries concerned, Japan has persistently and actively made diplomatic efforts toward the immediate release of hostages, improving the humanitarian situation and, to this end, maintaining the humanitarian pause for a long time and calming down the situation as soon as possible.
In the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement that was put together and issued on November 29 under my chairmanship, the G7 welcomed the release of some of the hostages and the pause in hostilities. Furthermore, we expressed support for the further extension of this pause and future pauses as needed, and once again underscored the importance of protecting civilians and compliance with international law, in particular international humanitarian law.
Prime Minister Kishida has left for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to attend COP28. On the margins, he plans to hold candid discussions regarding the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine with countries that are playing an important role in the peace and stability of this region, including Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar, and confirm to work together to calm down the situation as soon as possible and improve the humanitarian situation.
A meeting with President Abbas has not been decided at this point in time.
Crash of U.S. Military Osprey Aircraft
Asahi Shimbun, Takahashi: I would like to follow-up on an earlier question about the Osprey aircraft. During your meeting with Ambassador Emanuel yesterday, I understand he responded that the United States has no higher priority than safety. Does this mean the Ambassador did not respond directly to your request for Japan-deployed Osprey “flight operations to be conducted after undergoing necessary safety examination?”
Minister Kamikawa: As I responded to the similar question previously, yesterday I conveyed to Ambassador Emanuel my wish for the crew members to be found safe with regard to the CV-22 Osprey incident which occurred off the shore of Yakushima Island on November 29. At the same time, I requested the U.S. side to confirm related facts and promptly share information with the Japanese side.
I also requested the flight operations of Japan-deployed CV-22s to be conducted after undergoing necessary examination of the flight safety of the aircraft, excluding search and rescue operations. In response, Ambassador Emanuel stated that the United States has no higher priority than the safety of its servicemembers and of the Japanese people. The Ambassador also said the U.S. side is currently investigating the related facts and would continue to coordinate closely and share information with the Government of Japan.
In addition, we just confirmed with the U.S. Embassy to Japan that it views yesterday’s request as an official request. In this sense, both sides will continue to closely work with each other on the issue.
Asahi Shimbun, Takahashi: What I wanted to ask is the following. Ambassador Emanuel stated that confirmation of safety is of the highest priority. However, he did not respond that flight operations would be conducted after Osprey aircraft have undergone necessary safety examination. Is this correct?
Minister Kamikawa: To reiterate, the United States stated that it has no higher priority than the safety of its servicemembers and of the Japanese people, and that the U.S. side is currently investigating the related facts and would continue to coordinate closely and share information with the Government of Japan.
Asahi Shimbun, Takahashi: Sorry, one last question. You requested flight operations to be conducted after Osprey aircraft have undergone necessary safety examination. Is my understanding correct that you requested flight operations to be suspended until the safety of Japan-deployed Osprey aircraft is confirmed?
Minister Kamikawa: My answer is as I have already stated.
Foreign Minister Kamikawa’s Plans to Visit LAC and Outreach Diplomacy
Sankei Shimbun, Harakawa: In your opening remarks, you mentioned LAC, which is an important region in the sense that it will be hosting two international meetings next year. Aside from these meetings, do you currently have any plans to visit somewhere in LAC?
Furthermore, on outreach diplomacy, you previously served Shizuoka tea to Foreign Minister Colonna of France. If you have any such stories from your outreach diplomacy, especially when you are receiving visitors, could you please share them?
Minister Kamikawa: First, we recognize that next year will be a critical time for LAC, and we are actively condidering the pillars of Japan’s diplomacy with the region. There are various possibilities, and I would like to consider the matter further, drawing on the many insights I have gained through my visits to various regions of the world.
Please understand that we are still in the deliberation process, and I am unable to mention anything specific.
Regarding yesterday’s outreach meeting, so far I have not taken actions such as serving Shizuoka tea. However, I would like to continue devising various ways to broaden understanding on Japanese culture and hospitality as much as possible.