Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: The world’s attention will be on Latin America and the Caribbean this year with Brazil holding the G20 presidency and Peru the APEC chair. This year is also the Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jamaica and between Japan and Trinidad and Tobago.

As part of the events to kick off the Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year, I held a meeting on February 7 with Minister of Foreign Affairs Johnson Smith of Jamaica, who is Chair of the CARICOM Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR). We were able to build a personal relationship of trust and foster a shared view on many topics. In particular, we concurred to work together as female foreign ministers toward adding a new chapter on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), along with further maritime cooperation, to the Japan-Jamaica “J-J” Partnership, which celebrates its “kanreki,” 60th anniversary, this year backed by shared values and principles.

Minister Johnson Smith highlighted the importance of WPS approaches in light of the deteriorating security situation in Haiti, as well as the Taskforce on WPS launched at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). I, as someone that also attaches importance to the WPS, found her remarks inspiring.

Japan and Latin American and Caribbean countries share common values and principles, including freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. They have also coordinated on policies over many years, cooperated on economic and social development, and have a historic and personal relationship of trust fostered by the world’s largest Nikkei community in this region. Furthermore, this region has high economic potential, including food and mineral resources, and is an important partner that supports the economic security of Japan.

A G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is coming up soon, on February 21 and 22 in Rio de Janeiro. It will offer an unparalleled opportunity to leverage Japan’s unique bond with this region to realize peace, stability, and prosperity in the international community in the face of an increasingly severe situation.

Based on such perspectives as well, I intend to seize all diplomatic opportunities to promote diplomacy with Latin America and the Caribbean throughout this year.

That is all from me.

Kyodo News, Hidema: I have a question related to diplomacy with Latin American and Caribbean countries mentioned in your opening remarks. I imagine that the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil will be a critical opportunity, including for strengthening Japan’s collaboration with the Global South. Could you please tell us again what Japan will be putting forward and what Japan’s priorities are for the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting?

Minister Kamikawa: The G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is expected to discuss matters such as the situation in Ukraine, the response to the Middle East situation, and global governance reform including United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform. We intend to actively convey Japan’s position and initiatives on these issues.

Specifically, with regard to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which is undermining the foundation of G20 cooperation, we will stress the need to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible.

Based on the outcomes of the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Reconstruction that will be held on February 19, we will also demonstrate Japan’s commitment to strongly promoting initiatives for the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.

With regard to the situation in the Middle East, we will explain Japan’s efforts toward the immediate release of hostages, improving the humanitarian situation, calming down the situation as soon as possible, and preventing the conflict from further spreading to other areas.

Furthermore, we will carefully explain Japan’s view and initiatives for global governance reform, which covers strengthening the functions of the United Nations including UNSC reform, reform of multilateral development banks (MDBs), which is becoming ever more important for supporting developing countries facing funding shortages, and reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which is at the core of the multilateral trading system.

We will also underscore the importance of WPS that I have been involved in, and demonstrate Japan’s readiness to contribute to the G20’s discussions on WPS this year.

I would like to just mention that my attendance is being coordinated and has not been decided.

NHK, Igarashi: I have a question related to the FDNPS. Two days ago, water containing radioactive materials leaked from a valve of a radioactive water purification facility at TEPCO’s FDNPS. The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China has asked Japan to disclose information about the leakage in transparent manners and responsibly provide the details. You visited the site last December. What are your thoughts on this matter? Please tell us what explanations MOFA will provide to other countries.

Minister Kamikawa: I understand the Secretariat of the Nuclear Regulation Authority is assessing the water leakage at the site, and TEPCO will be investigating the cause and assessing its recurrence prevention measures. In addition, I am aware that the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is giving proper guidance to TEPCO.

This incident is unrelated to the discharge of ALPS treated water and will not impact the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea. I believe the International Atomic Energy Agency, which was briefed by TEPCO, issued a press release to this effect.

I visited the FDNPS at the end of last year. I consider that clear communication of information is important above all else. We will continue to address this issue appropriately in coordination with METI and other relevant ministries and agencies.

Hokkaido Shimbun, Araya: I would like to ask about the negotiations for the return of the Northern Territories. At the National Rally held on February 7, you and the Prime Minister stated in your remarks that Japan’s policy is to conclude a peace treaty through the resolution of the Northern Territories issue. This remark has been criticized by former islanders who were in attendance. They expressed disappointment, stating that they wanted the Government to provide details on how it will address the issue. Some former islanders were concerned that focusing on the resumption of the Visits to the Graves would downscale the Japan-Russia negotiations. What is your reaction to their opinions?

Minister Kamikawa: First, in March 2022, a month after launching the aggression against Ukraine, Russia unilaterally announced it has no intention of continuing the peace treaty negotiations with Japan on account of its sanctions against Russia, among other reasons.

This situation continues to the present, and regrettably, I have nothing specific to report right now regarding the peace treaty negotiations. Fully taking into account such views of the former islanders, the Government of Japan will firmly maintain its policy of concluding a peace treaty through the resolution of the Northern Territories issue.

In addition, former islanders have repeatedly requested the resumption of programs, especially the resumption of the Visits to the Graves. Driven by our strong desire to answer these earnest wishes of the former islanders, we will continue to strongly urge Russia to resume such programs, with particular emphasis now on the Visits to the Graves.

Chugoku Shimbun, Higuchi: It has been reported that you will be visiting the U.S. in early March to host an open debate on themes such as nuclear disarmament and conflict resolution. First of all, are these reports true? If such a visit is under consideration, please also tell us the significance of hosting the open debate at this time, amid ongoing conflicts around the world and repeated nuclear threats.

Minister Kamikawa: Japan will hold the UNSC presidency in March. As one of our signature events, we are considering holding UNSC open debates in New York on the themes of “nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation” and “peacebuilding.” The details are currently being arranged, and it has not been decided.

As you stated, the situation surrounding nuclear disarmament has become ever more severe. Precisely in such times, Japan, as the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during war, must take the initiative and steadily advance realistic and practical efforts toward the realization of a world without nuclear weapons.

The UNSC open debates next month will materialize Japan’s cooperation for promoting dialogue between nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States, which Prime Minister Kishida announced during his address at the United Nations General Assembly session last September.

The UNSC has primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. It is very meaningful that the UNSC, joined by nuclear-weapon States, holds dialogue toward realizing a world without nuclear weapons.

Furthermore, peacebuilding is an integrated approach to preventing the occurrence, spread, continuation, and recurrence of conflicts and sustaining peace. Japan as a member of both the UNSC and the Peacebuilding Commission has consistently emphasized peacebuilding.

Japan also hosted an open debate on peacebuilding during its UNSC presidency in January of last year. During Japan’s UNSC presidency this coming March, we intend to further deepen discussions on peacebuilding, including empowerment focused on people and the use of the Peacebuilding Commission with the perspectives of women and young people in mind.

NHK, Igarashi: I have a question related to Ukraine. On February 8, President Zelenskyy of Ukraine dismissed Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhnyi, who was very popular with the people, and appointed a new Commander-in-Chief. The change in the military’s Commander-in-Chief is expected to inevitably affect the course of the ongoing military invasion by Russia. The change comes ahead of the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Reconstruction, which will be held in Japan on February 19. Please share with us your comments.

Minister Kamikawa: This matter is about the internal affairs of another country, and it is not appropriate that I comment from the position of the Government of Japan.

Kyodo News, Hidema: Whether the Israeli military’s operation in Gaza constitutes a violation of the Genocide Convention continues to be a subject of international debate. The Genocide Convention concerns the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide. Although the G7 members, excluding Japan, and many other countries are parties to this convention, Japan has not ratified it. Please explain again Japan’s position and actions going forward.

Minister Kamikawa: Japan believes that the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole, such as genocide, must not go unpunished.

With a view to contributing to the eradication and prevention of such crimes, Japan, as a signatory state to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has been complying in good faith with the cooperation obligations for the prosecution and punishment of genocide prescribed in the statute.

On the other hand, the Genocide Convention obliges signatory states to criminalize acts such as genocide under domestic laws.

Signing the Genocide Convention requires reviewing the compatibility between the obligations under the convention and domestic legislation. We are deepening discussions with relevant ministries and agencies to give serious consideration to the signing of the convention.