Press Conferences

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

From March 6 to 8, H.E. Dr. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, will visit Japan as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Taking this opportunity, Minister Jaishankar and I will hold the 16th Japan-India Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue. This will be the second time we are meeting since last September.

As division and confrontation deepen in the international community today, co-creation of new solutions through dialogue and collaboration is required. From this perspective, Japan attaches particular importance to its relations with India, a country with diversity and a unique history of democracy that represents the “Global South.”

Under our “Special Strategic and Global Partnership,” Japan and India will deepen cooperation in wide-ranging areas toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” and work together closely through Quad, the G4, and other frameworks.

Through the meeting, we intend to confirm cooperation toward further strengthening our bilateral relations and exchange candid views on regional and international affairs, among other matters.

That is all from me.

NHK, Igarashi: I have a question related to Russia. Mr. Nikolai Nozdrev, the new Russian ambassador to Japan, arrived in Japan a day before yesterday. A Russian ambassador to Japan will be assuming this post after it had been vacant for over a year amid deteriorating Japan-Russia relations following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. Please share with us your reaction and how will you approach diplomacy with Russia from now on. In addition, does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have any plans to meet with Mr. Nozdrev?

Minister Kamikawa: We are aware that Ambassador Nozdrev of Russia arrived in Japan on March 3.

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act, which shakes the very foundation of the international order. Japan will continue to proceed with efforts including implementing severe sanctions. At the same time, we will appropriately deal with issues that need to be addressed by Japan and Russia as neighbors, such as fishing and other economic activities, from the perspective of what is in Japan’s national interests in the overall diplomacy of our country. With regard to the Northern Territories issue, Japan will firmly maintain its policy of concluding a peace treaty through the resolution of the territorial issue.

Under this policy, we will conduct necessary communication with Ambassador Nozdrev.

With regard to your question about a meeting with Ambassador Nozdrev, no specific date has been set at this time.

Kyodo News, Hidema: In the U.S., March 5 is Super Tuesday when the greatest number of states hold primary elections and party caucuses leading up to the U.S. presidential election. Super Tuesday is considered the climax of the candidate selection process and is drawing attention. Which aspects are you paying attention to?

Minister Kamikawa: First of all, the Japan-U.S. Alliance is the cornerstone of Japan’s foreign and security policy, and Japan is following the developments in the U.S. presidential election with interest.

That being said, the bond between Japan and the U.S. strengthened and evolved further over the year during Japan’s G7 Presidency. The partnership between the two countries is stronger and deeper than at any time.

The importance of the Japan-U.S. Alliance is recognized across party lines even in the U.S., and the Government of Japan will continue to strive to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. relationship.

Tokyo Shimbun, Nakazawa: It will almost be one year since President Yoon Suk Yeol of the ROK visited Japan in March of last year, held a meeting with Prime Minister Kishida, and the ball started rolling to improve Japan-ROK relations. Since then, the relationship has indeed made significant improvements, including the revival of shuttle diplomacy between the two leaders. However, there has been a succession of ROK court rulings over the issue of the former Civilian Workers from the Korean Peninsula (CWKs) in which Japanese companies have lost, and some in the ROK continue to call for Japanese “response measures.” What is your assessment looking back over the Japan-ROK relationship this past year? In particular, please tell us whether the Government of Japan intends to take additional measures over the issue of CWKs.

Minister Kamikawa: Japan and the ROK are important neighbors that should cooperate with each other as partners to respond to the issues facing the international community. Since last year, both have made proactive efforts to advance Japan-ROK relations into motion under the leadership of the two leaders.

In last year alone, summit meetings were held seven times and foreign ministers’ meetings six times.

Along with the implementation of measures regarding the issue of CWKs announced by the ROK Government in March of last year, dialogue and cooperation between the two countries have overcome the period of stagnation and have been expanding robustly in various fields, including politics, security, economy, and culture, both in quantity and quality. Furthermore, amidst the current severe strategic environment, trilateral collaboration among Japan, the U.S., and the ROK is also becoming multi-layered.

Such expanded cooperation has been made possible by the efforts of both countries, and we believe this is meaningful cooperation that contributes to the strategic interests of Japan.

The Government of Japan will continue to maintain close communication with the ROK on various issues, including CWKs, and advance efforts to ensure that the improvement of the bilateral relationship can be felt continuously by the people of Japan and the ROK.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: I would like to ask about the west Asia region. Syria has accused Israel of a series of bombings, in various cities, all resulting in civilian deaths including an American citizen in the city of Homs recently. Israel has neither admitted not denied the bombings. but what is, so what is Japan’s position in principle over such attacks. And do you condemn such bombings that continue to take innocent lives and destabilize the Middle East?

Minister Kamikawa: We are aware of the recent Syrian reports. We understand Israel has not made comments so far, including whether or not it conducted the attacks.

In any case, Japan is following the situation across the Middle East on high guard. We will continue to work closely with the countries concerned and to persistently and actively make diplomatic efforts toward calming down the situation surrounding the Gaza Strip as soon as possible and stabilizing the region.

Independent Web Journal, Hamamoto: I have a question about the situation in Ukraine. The U.S. and European leaders are severely condemning the death in prison of the Russian activist, Mr. Navalny, saying that Russia killed him under Putin’s instruction. Meanwhile, Mr. Budanov, the chief of the Ukrainian intelligence agency, has commented that he unfortunately died of natural causes. Conversely, President Macron of France has escalated his remarks at this timing, asserting that the West will do anything it can from supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine to deploying its ground troops. If this becomes a reality, the war is sure to intensify and turn into a major war involving the entire world. Is it possible that the Government of Japan will continue to stand on the Ukrainian side and participate in the war?

Minister Kamikawa: First, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act, which shakes the very foundation of the international order. The security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is inseparable and that such unilateral change of the status quo by force is not acceptable anywhere in the world.

Based on this recognition, in coordination with the G7 and other like-minded countries Japan has strongly promoted sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine in order to end Russia’s aggression and achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible.

That being said, generally speaking, we have consistently interpreted that, as a general rule, the Constitution does not permit armed troops to be dispatched to the land, sea, or airspace of other countries with the aim of using force. Such overseas deployment of troops would exceed the definition of the minimum necessary level for self-defense.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kamimura: I would like to ask about AUKUS. According to some reports, the U.S. is considering technological cooperation between AUKUS and Japan. What arrangements including invitations has Japan made? Please share with us what kind of cooperation Japan deems is possible if it is formally invited.

Minister Kamikawa: As I do not have information about the details with me at this moment, I would like to check and answer your question later.

Asahi Shimbun, Takahashi: You are scheduled to hold a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan who will be visiting Japan from March 6. Please explain the significance of the meeting. I believe a summit meeting of the dialogue with Central Asia is also scheduled to be held this year. What kind of meeting do you hope to have with the Foreign Minister in the lead-up to the summit meeting?

Minister Kamikawa: On the visit to Japan by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, over the years, Japan-Uzbekistan relations have progressed very favorably. We will exchange views candidly and discuss strengthening our bilateral relations, peace and security in the region including Central Asia, and various ways of cooperation.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: My question is about Russia. Parliament member Muneo Suzuki, has reportedly said that any hope for Japan to have Russia return the northern islands is meaningless if Japan continues to impose sanctions on Russia. As we are passing over the second year anniversary of that war, do you believe that there is a diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian issue or do you believe that war is the only solution to liberate Ukraine?

Minister Kamikawa: Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act, which shakes the very foundation of the international order. Russia is continuing its attacks against Ukraine. There are no signs of any attempt by Russia to make compromises. For example, President Putin has repeatedly stated that the annexed parts of Ukraine are not up for negotiation.

In this context, Japan considers it its duty to continue to strongly promote sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine to end Russia’s aggression and achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible.