Press Conferences

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

If circumstances permit, I will visit Geneva, Switzerland, from December 12 to 14 to attend the Second Global Refugee Forum (GRF) co-convened by Japan.

Currently, there are more than 100 million refugees and displaced persons worldwide. Prolonged conflicts across the globe, such as the current situation surrounding Israel and Palestine and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, are further deteriorating the humanitarian situation.

Through my participation in this forum, I intend to call for strengthening the unity and cooperation of the international community for improving the humanitarian situation, while underscoring the necessity of not only short-term humanitarian assistance but also a mid- to long-term approach looking further toward the future, as well as the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda in resolving the issue of refugees and displaced persons.

That is all from me.

Kyodo News, Katsurada: I would like to ask about the GRF that was mentioned in your opening remarks. There are some criticisms of Japan’s refugee policy, including the low refugee recognition rate. What do you think is Japan’s expected role in addressing the refugee issue refugee policy?

Minister Kamikawa: With regard to refugee issues, I am aware that the Ministry of Justice recognizes those who should be recognized as refugees, in accordance with the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.

Furthermore, Japan’s recently passed law for amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, etc. established the “Person to be Granted Complementary Protection” program, in order to assure the protection of people who truly need protection for humanitarian reasons.

Aside from refugee recognition, Japan has also been accepting refugees under third-country resettlement programs since fiscal year 2010.

As one of the GRF’s co-convenors, Japan will call for strengthening the unity and cooperation of the international community for improving the humanitarian situation, along with supporting the resolution of refugee and displacement issues worldwide, including the acceptance of refugees into Japan under third-country resettlement programs.

NHK, Igarashi: I have a question on Japan-ROK relations. The Seoul High Court of the ROK rendered a judgment on the issue of comfort women on November 23, which ordered the Government of Japan to pay compensation, and today is the deadline for the appeal. Will the Government be filing an appeal? If the judgment is upheld, what impact will it have on future Japan-ROK relations?

Minister Kamikawa: The first question was whether the Government of Japan will file an appeal in the lawsuit filed by former comfort women and others against the Government.

Japan takes the position that it is not acceptable for the Government of Japan to be subject to the jurisdiction of the ROK with regard to this matter, in accordance with the principle of State immunity under international law. Therefore, the Government of Japan does not intend to file an appeal.

The next question was about the impact on Japan-ROK relations if the judgment becomes final.

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, including at the recent Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, that 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 urge the ROK to take appropriate measures.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kamimura: I would like to ask about disinformation. On December 6, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Department of State agreed that the two countries will jointly counter foreign information manipulation including disinformation. What is your understanding of the current situation of disinformation spread by foreign countries in Japan? In addition, please tell us what kind of collaboration Japan hopes to promote with the United States.

Minister Kamikawa: First, there was a question on my understanding of the threat of foreign information manipulation. Foreign information manipulation including disinformation involves the intentional spread of information that hinders democratic processes and international cooperation. At this year’s G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Hiroshima Summit, the G7 members shared concern about such information manipulation and concurred on the need to address it with a sense of urgency.

We will continue to effectively counter foreign information manipulation by collaborating with countries that share common values as well as regional organizations.

The next question was about Japan-U.S. cooperation for countering foreign information manipulation. We consider that it is important to enhance the capacities to counter at each stage of detecting, analyzing, and responding to foreign information manipulation.

Japan and the United States will enhance the capacities through the sharing of our respective information and analysis, based on the memorandum of cooperation signed on December 6.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: My question is about the Palestinian occupied territories. Does Japan officially consider Hamas as a terrorist organization although it won a democratic election in Gaza? And why? What’s behind your decision?

Minister Kamikawa: There is no internationally established definition for terrorism. We understand that terrorism generally refers to acts such as killing or injuring people based on a specific ideology for the purpose of making a state or others accept such ideology or instilling fear in society. The Government of Japan may use the term “terrorism” to imply this general meaning.

The recent attacks by Hamas and others were brutal, indiscriminate attacks involving killings and kidnappings that target many civilians. Japan has been unequivocally condemning them as “terror attacks.”

Additionally, Japan has designated Hamas as subject to Japan’s asset freezing for terrorists and others, among other measures under the cabinet approval of September 30, 2003. Furthermore, Japan designated nine individuals and one entity related to Hamas as subject to Japan’s asset freezing for terrorists and others, among other measures under the cabinet approval of October 31, 2023.

Mainichi Shimbun, Murao: My question is about the issue of ticket sales for political fundraising parties. While you have been asked about this every day at the Diet, I would like to ask again whether you have ever sold tickets exceeding your quota and whether you have ever received a return from your faction for the excess portion. Please explain the facts.

Minister Kamikawa: At this press conference, I would like to refrain from answering about the handling of my matters as an individual Diet member.

Mainichi Shimbun, Murao: I have a follow-up question. At yesterday’s meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense of the House of Councillors, you responded that your matters as an individual Diet member would be addressed separately. Could you tell us when and where they will be addressed?

Minister Kamikawa: I will consider separately the addressing of my matters as an individual Diet member, which you asked about. It is currently under consideration.

Mainichi Shimbun, Murao: Just one last question. The administration itself is being rocked by major allegations surrounding the Chief Cabinet Secretary, which have been reported since this morning. As a member of the Kishida cabinet, please tell us how you think this situation should be addressed.

Minister Kamikawa: At this press conference, I would like to refrain from answering this question from the standpoint of the Government.