Press Conferences

Ms. KOBAYASHI Maki, Press Secretary: I have two announcements at the outset.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation. Various ministerial meetings and other events were held throughout the year. The Government of Japan will host the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation and its related events in Tokyo from December 16 to 18, 2023. The summit is expected to adopt a joint statement, which will set out a new vision for the future, and its implementation plan including a wide range of concrete cooperation,as its outcome documents, Japan, together with the leaders of ASEAN countries, intends to further strengthen the Japan-ASEAN relations, on the basis of our “heart to heart” relations of trust which have been built over the long years.

From the evening of December 17 to midnight, the Tokyo Tower will be illuminated with red, blue, and yellow, the colors of the ASEAN flag as well as the logo of this summit, in order to express respect for the leaders of ASEAN countries visiting Japan and to commemorate the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

Press Secretary Kobayashi: Secondly, I understand that a media outlet reported as if there is a connection between the sardines that have been found washed ashore in Hokkaido and the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea.

With regard to this matter, the Fisheries Agency has explained that it is certainly not unusual for sardines to wash ashore, and that it sees no grounds to consider the cause to be the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea.

In addition, ever since the ALPS treated water was first discharged into the sea, the Fisheries Agency has been monitoring aquatic products and the Ministry of the Environment has been monitoring seawater. They have not found any extraordinary numbers, scientifically confirming that the discharge has been carried out safely.

When it comes to the safety of discharging ALPS treated water into the sea, the Government of Japan will continue to provide thorough explanations based on scientific evidence in a highly transparent manner so as to further deepen the understanding of the international community.

That is all from me.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kudo: I would like to ask about Russia. On December 14, Russian President Putin is scheduled to hold a national dialogue program and a large-scale press conference for domestic and international media. Recently, Russia has stressed its view, which differs from Japan’s position, that Japan is becoming militaristic, entwining it with Japan during World War II. President Putin is expected to repeat this assertion during the press conference on December 14. How will the Government of Japan respond to these Russian claims?

Press Secretary Kobayashi: I am aware that Russia is repeatedly making various one-sided remarks. The Government of Japan will not comment on such remarks one by one, but I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate three points clearly.

First, the assertions inferring that Japan is reviving militarism are absolutely inapplicable. There will be no change to Japan’s post-war orientation as a peace-loving country in future. As a fundamental principle of security, Japan will adhere to the basic policy of maintaining an exclusively national defense-oriented policy, not becoming a military power that poses a threat to other countries, and stated this in the National Security Strategy (NSS) adopted last year.

Second, Japan has constantly upheld freedom, democracy, and the rule of law following the war, and contributed to Asia and global prosperity. Russia continues its clear violation of the United Nations Charter by its aggression against Ukraine, but Japan considers that it is important to lead the international community toward cooperation rather than division and confrontation. And Japan has confirmed its cooperation with other countries to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law and ensure human dignity.

Third, Japan has been urging Russia to take the appropriate response so that no useless emotional conflict is provoked between Russian and Japanese citizens over past wars. In addition, Japan will continue to strongly urge Russia to stop the aggression it is currently carrying out in Ukraine, in clear violation of international law, at the earliest possible time, and to withdraw its forces immediately from Ukraine.

We have made these positions clear to Russia and will continue to do so.

Kyodo News, Hayashi: Regarding the information about sardines that was mentioned earlier, has the Government of Japan directly conveyed your earlier comment to the media outlet that made such a report? Additionally, not limited to this matter, please tell us your thoughts on how the government will endeavor to counter disinformation and disseminate accurate information in the future.

Press Secretary Kobayashi: Firstly, our diplomatic mission has already made a protest to the foreign media outlet that made the report on this matter. We believe it is inappropriate to report like this, without being based on scientific evidence, and to make it appear that there is a causual relationship between the sardines washing ashore and the discharge of ALPS treated water. The Government will continue to respond to any situation that may cause misunderstanding by providing a thorough explanation.

Hokkaido Shimbun, Araya: I have a related question. When was the protest made and what was the response from the media outlet? In addition, were there any damage caused by harmful rumors from this matter? Please share with us what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed, if any.

Press Secretary Kobayashi: We have already made a protest. I understand that the media outlet has not yet responded. In addition, I am not aware of any damage caused by harmful rumors or anything else occurring as a result at present.

In order to prevent the spread of misunderstandings, we intend to reiterate continuously through various channels that Japan has made efforts based on scientific evidence.