Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have an announcement on my outreach diplomacy.

Today, December 5, I attended a meeting of 27 ambassadors of EU member states, hosted by the Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to Japan, as part of my outreach diplomacy in Japan.

I stated that Japan and the EU are strategic partners that reinforce the free and open international order based on the rule of law and jointly tackle common challenges to the international society, and that Japan would like to jointly tackle regional and international challenges with the EU. The ambassadors concurred with me.

Furthermore, I explained Japan’s diplomatic stance on regional situations such as the situation surrounding the Gaza Strip, the Indo-Pacific, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and expressed my hope to cooperate in areas including the efforts toward the realization of “a world without nuclear weapons” and “women, peace and security (WPS).”

The EU is an important partner that not only accounts for approximately 20% of the world’s GDP with a population of approximately 450 million people, but also plays a key role in international rulemaking. The meeting was a very valuable opportunity to hold candid and lively discussions with the ambassadors of the EU and the EU member states.

That is all from me.

NHK, Igarashi: I would like to ask about the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine. The Israeli military has resumed attacks on all areas of the Gaza Strip in Palestine and is advancing its ground invasion to the southern part, raising concerns over the further deterioration of the humanitarian situation. Please comment on the Israeli military’s resumption of attacks, the response of the Government of Japan, and whether it will continue to call for humanitarian pauses.

Minister Kamikawa: We understand that the Israel-Hamas talks to further extend the pause related to the release of hostages, etc., passed the deadline without reaching an agreement, and that the Israeli Defense Forces resumed fighting in the Gaza Strip, including in the southern part. Japan has been closely monitoring the current situation with serious concern.

While Japan had welcomed the pause in fighting, the release of hostages and the increased delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, it is regrettable that the fighting has resumed. We are deeply concerned that the resumption of fighting will result in a severer critical humanitarian situation on the ground. Additionally, the people who have been kidnapped by Hamas and others and detained for a long time are in extremely severe conditions. Such reasons make it important to return to the agreement and to calm down the situation as soon as possible, and Japan will make diplomatic efforts, including reaching out to the parties concerned toward pausing the fighting once again.

We consider that all parties must comply with international law, including international humanitarian law, and that during actual military operations all possible measures need to be taken in order to prevent the harm to civilians.

The developments in the situation remain unpredictable. While communicating with the countries concerned and international organizations, we will continue to call on all parties to adhere to international law, including international humanitarian law, and to act in good faith based on the recently adopted United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 2712 that Japan voted in favor of. At the same time, we will continue to persistently and actively make diplomatic efforts toward the immediate release of the hostages, improving the humanitarian situation, returning to the pause agreement that will contribute to this, and calming down the situation as soon as possible.

Asahi Shimbun, Matsuyama: I have a follow-up question. There are also civilians in the southern part of the Gaza Strip who have evacuated from the northern part, causing concerns about an increase in civilian causalities. Some note that such an act by Israel is likely a violation of international law. You just stated that Japan will call on all parties to adhere to international law, as it has done before. Does Japan have any intention to step up its response toward Israel? Please also tell us again what kind of message Japan will be sending to the international community.

Minister Kamikawa: As I just stated, including during my recent visit to Israel, I have been directly urging Israel to act in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law, while unequivocally condemning the terror attacks by Hamas and others.

Furthermore, at the Japan-Israel Summit Meeting held in Dubai on December 1, Prime Minister Kishida conveyed Japan’s stance to President Herzog and once again directly urged Israel to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

The developments in the situation remain unpredictable. While communicating with the countries concerned and international organizations, we will continue to call on all parties to adhere to international law, including international humanitarian law, and to act in good faith based on the recently adopted UNSC resolution that Japan voted in favor of. At the same time, we will continue to persistently and actively make diplomatic efforts toward the immediate release of the hostages, improving the humanitarian situation, returning to the pause agreement that will contribute to this, and calming down the situation as soon as possible.

Independent Web Journal, Hamamoto: I too have a question on this topic of the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine. An advisor to the Israeli Defense Minister remarked, “Israel is not fighting against a terrorist organization but against the state of Gaza.” Collective punishment of civilians is a clear violation of international law and amounts to open genocide. If you do not tell them to stop, is it not the same as being complicit? Does the Government of Japan or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have any intention to go even so far as imposing sanctions on Israel to bring its war crimes to justice and make it stop the violence immediately?

Minister Kamikawa: Japan recognizes that Israel has a right to defend itself and its people following the attacks by Hamas, in accordance with international law.

However, at the same time, on various occasions, including my recent visit to Israel, Japan has directly urged Israel to act in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law, while unequivocally condemning the terror attacks by Hamas and others.

In addition, at the Japan-Israel Summit Meeting held in Dubai on December 1, Prime Minister Kishida conveyed Japan’s stance to President Herzog and once again directly urged Israel to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

As I mentioned earlier, the developments in the situation remain unpredictable. While closely communicating with the countries concerned and international organizations, we will continue to call on all parties to adhere to international law, including international humanitarian law, and to act in good faith based on the recently adopted UNSC resolution that Japan voted in favor of. At the same time, we will continue to persistently and actively make diplomatic efforts toward the immediate release of the hostages, improving the humanitarian situation, returning to the pause agreement that will contribute to this, and calming down the situation as soon as possible.

Anadolu Agency, Furkan: Israel’s airstrikes and ground invasion in the Gaza Strip are continuing. Do you believe humanitarian pauses are adequate for preventing this genocide? Does the Government of Japan continue to take the position of not supporting a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip?

Minister Kamikawa: Considering the course of events and the complex background, it is necessary to continue building up achievements to reach a “ceasefire.” Under these circumstances, we have worked hard to ensure humanitarian pauses and humanitarian access.

I have undertaken diplomatic efforts such as compiling the G7 Foreign Ministers’ statements of November 8 and 29 under my chairmanship, making efforts for the adoption of UNSC resolution 2712 on November 16, and reaching out to the countries concerned on the occasion of visiting Israel, Palestine, and Jordan as well as through numerous telephone talks and meetings.

In addition, at the Japan-Israel Summit Meeting held in Dubai on December 1, Prime Minister Kishida once again directly urged President Herzog to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

While the developments in the situation remain unpredictable, Japan will continue to persistently and actively make the necessary diplomatic efforts.

Kyodo News, Katsurada: I would like to change the subject to the NSC.

Yesterday marked ten years since the establishment of the NSC, which the Foreign Minister is also a member of. What is your assessment of the role played by the NSC over this past decade? Some have criticized it for being too confidential or for the lack of information-sharing with the people. Please share your thoughts on the NSC’s future direction and challenges.

Minister Kamikawa: The first question was on the ten years following the establishment of the NSC.

The NSC was established in December 2013, and it marked its tenth year yesterday, December 4.

I understand that the NSC has held more than 330 meetings since its establishment. In addition to playing a central role in forming Japan’s first National Security Strategy and the Legislation for Peace and Security, the NSC has supported Japan’s proactive diplomacy, including summit diplomacy, under the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP) vision, through its discussions on regional affairs.

Furthermore, last year, the NSC formulated a new National Security Strategy, which covers responses to new security challenges, including in the space and cyber domains and economic security.

In this way, the NSC has served as the control tower for Japan’s national security policy.

The second question was on the NSC’s future direction and challenges. The NSC will continue to serve as the control tower for relevant ministers led by the prime minister to deliberate foreign, defense, and economic policy issues related to national security from a strategic perspective, for politics to demonstrate strong leadership, and for the government to advance national security policy flexibly and strategically.

As Foreign Minister, a member of the NSC, I also intend to continue to actively engage in the discussions.

Mainichi Shimbun, Kawaguchi: The EDD between Japan and U.S. foreign and defense officials commenced today. Please tell us what outcomes are expected from the dialogue, and what is the significance of holding the EDD under the current security environment. In addition, there is persistent criticism that nuclear deterrence goes against nuclear disarmament. As a country relying on the U.S. extended deterrence, how does Japan intend to deal with China, Russia, and North Korea, which are building up and maintaining nuclear weapons?

Minister Kamikawa: First, there was a question on the expected outcomes and significance of the EDD between Japan and the U.S.

As part of Japan-U.S. security and defense cooperation, the EDD provides an opportunity for the two governments to discuss issues of strategic deterrence, including the regional security environment, alliance defense posture, nuclear and missile defense policy, arms control and risk reduction. We position the dialogue as a forum for an in-depth exchange of views on means to enhance deterrence as well as deepen mutual understanding on alliance strategies and capabilities through these discussions.

This time, the EDD is scheduled to be held from today to December 7, and I understand that discussions will be conducted primarily on the matters I just mentioned.

Next, there was a question on Japan’s response to countries that are building up their nuclear arsenal.

Generally speaking, the security environment surrounding Japan remains extremely severe due to factors such as Russia’s threat to use nuclear weapons and North Korea’s nuclear and missile development. In these circumstances, to protect the lives and property of the Japanese people, it is not contradictory by any means to work toward bringing the reality closer to the ideal of a world without nuclear weapons, while at the same time facing reality and ensuring national security, including extended deterrence by the United States, which is essential to Japan.

In this context, under the National Security Strategy formulated at the end of last year, the government intends to fundamentally reinforce Japan’s defense capabilities and continue to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, including extended deterrence by the United States.