Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: A short while ago, I held a Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Secretary of State Blinken of the U.S. At the outset, Secretary Blinken expressed his condolences to those who lost their lives in the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and the accident at Haneda Airport, as well as to their families, and I expressed my appreciation for the cordial messages of sympathy.

During the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Secretary Blinken and I held a candid discussion mainly on the following points.

First, we concurred on coordinating to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance, a global partnership, to uphold and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law and to ensure a world where human dignity is secured. We further concurred on continuing to closely cooperate with each other for the success of Prime Minister Kishida’s official visit to the U.S. scheduled for early this year.

On Japan-U.S. security cooperation, I stated that cooperation among Allies and like-minded countries is deepening, and we concurred on further strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance. I reiterated my deepest condolences for the eight crew members who lost their lives due to the crash of the U.S. Airforce CV-22 Osprey in November as well as my gratitude to their contributions to the Japan-U.S. Alliance.

Secretary Blinken and I also exchanged views on the following regional issues.

Firstly, we concurred on continuing to work closely in addressing issues related to China. Furthermore, Secretary Blinken and I reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross Strait issues. We also concurred on continuing to closely cooperate between Japan and the U.S. as well as among Japan, the U.S. and the ROK on responses to North Korea, including its nuclear and missile development and the abductions issue.

With regard to the situation in the Middle East, I expressed my respects for the untiring efforts by the U.S. to release hostages, to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and to calm down the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine and we concurred on continuing to work closely with each other. Secretary Blinken and I further concurred on continuing diplomatic efforts to prevent the current situation from spreading to the Middle East region at large.

Regarding Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, I explained the outcomes of my visit to Ukraine on January 7. At the same time, I conveyed that we need to show the unity of like-minded countries, especially the G7, as well as our solidarity with Ukraine, and that, to this end, Japan is taking the initiative, including hosting the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Reconstruction in Tokyo next month. We concurred on continuing severe sanctions against Russia and robust support for Ukraine.

In Washington D.C., in addition to holding the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I held meetings with National Security Advisor Sullivan and Secretary of Commerce Raimondo. I also exchanged views on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) with U.S. Representatives. I stated that I have been holding a series of dialogues with relevant parties to promote WPS to the next level, and that during my recent visit to Europe, I heard directly from women and children of Ukraine about their experiences and renewed my determination to take concrete actions. We concurred to continue to cooperate on WPS. In order to promote collaboration more boldly and comprehensively between Japan and other countries, I intend to appoint an Ambassador for WPS at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the near future.

That is all from me.

Reporter: At today’s Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the two of you concurred not only to deepen the Japan-U.S. Alliance but also to closely cooperate on Prime Minister Kishida’s official visit to the U.S. scheduled for early this year. Could you tell us what further details have been decided as a result of your visit to the U.S., such as the timing of Prime Minister Kishida’s official visit and the agenda for his meeting with President Biden?

Minister Kamikawa: At my meetings with Secretary of State Blinken and National Security Advisor Sullivan during my visit to the U.S., we exchanged views on Prime Minister Kishida’s official visit to the U.S. scheduled for early this year and concurred on continuing to closely cooperate for the success of the event.

The firm unity between Japan and the U.S. is important at a time when the international society faces a variety of challenges. I am convinced that the Prime Minister’s official visit to the U.S. will be a highly valuable opportunity for further deepening the close cooperation between Japan and the U.S. in a range of fields. The exact dates, events, and other details are currently being coordinated and will be announced as soon as they are officially decided.

Reporter: With this being your first overseas visit of the year, I would like to ask a question looking ahead to this coming year. This year, Brazil holds the G20 presidency, while Peru holds the APEC Chair, making it a “year of South America.” Additionally, Indonesia, India, and some other parts of the Global South will be holding important elections. At the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting today, what did you and Secretary Blinken discuss about strengthening relations with the Global South? Furthermore, you had worked hard as a Minister of Japan, the G7 presidency last year, to enhance cooperation with the Global South. Please tell us about your approach this year to strengthening the relationship with the Global South.

Minister Kamikawa: The global balance of power is changing significantly. As the international community grows increasingly diverse, cooperating with a range of countries, including what is called the Global South, is essential for leading the international community in the direction of cooperation and addressing various challenges. Japan, as the G7 presidency last year, advanced discussions on a multitude of occasions. During today’s meeting, building on the outcomes of the G7 Hiroshima Summit, we again discussed further strengthening engagement with the Global South, especially cooperation with Southeast Asian countries and Pacific Island countries, while referring to Japan’s initiatives, including the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit.

In my current diplomatic activities, I sense the Global South’s high level of trust and expectations toward Japanese diplomacy, as well as its eagerness to seek Japanese cooperation. Japan will continue to pursue a meticulous diplomacy that values diversity and inclusion in order to gain broad support and engagement from the international community. We will coordinate with other countries to uphold and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law and to ensure a world where human dignity is secured.

Reporter: Regarding Ukraine, you stated that the two ministers confirmed at the meeting to continue robust support for Ukraine. As a matter of fact, however, the U.S. has been unable to secure budgetary allowances for additional assistance. Did the Secretary explain the prospects of this? Or did you urge the U.S. to take any action?

Minister Kamikawa: As this is a matter of diplomatic communication, I will refrain from discussing details. Secretary Blinken and I concurred on continuing severe sanctions against Russia and robust support for Ukraine. It is critical to continue to show the unity of like-minded countries, especially the G7, as well as our solidarity with Ukraine. The Government of Japan will take the initiative in supporting Ukraine, including hosting the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Reconstruction in Tokyo next month.

Reporter: I have a question related to the situation in Taiwan, a topic which came up during the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Voting for the Taiwanese presidential election will take place on January 13, local time. What are you keeping your eyes on? In addition, please share with us what impact you think the election results will have on the region.

Minister Kamikawa: I will refrain from commenting on the outlook of an overseas election. Taiwan is a region sharing common values and principles with Japan, such as freedom, democracy, basic human rights, and the rule of law. Taiwan is both an extremely crucial partner and an important friend with which we enjoy close economic relations and people-to-people exchanges. The Government of Japan will work toward further deepening cooperation and exchanges between Japan and Taiwan, based on our established position to maintain a working relationship on the non-governmental basis.