Press Conferences

Ms. KOBAYASHI Maki, Press Secretary: I have an announcement.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will send 22 high school students, university students, and others from Okinawa Prefecture to the U.S. for approximately one week from March 19 to 27, through the FY2023 “Think of Okinawa’s Future in the United States” program, familiarly known by its acronym TOFU.

From March 20, participants will visit Washington D.C. and New York. They are scheduled to visit federal government agencies, the U.S. Congress, and the United Nations (UN) headquarters, exchange views with Japanese personnel who play active roles in the UN, and interact with representatives of the Nikkei community and local students. On the 19th, prior to their departure, the participants are scheduled to pay courtesy calls on Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi and Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Hosaka in Tokyo.

We expect this will be a fruitful visit that will provide participants with opportunities to see firsthand our ally, the U.S., in its true light and form, interact and exchange views with various people, and by doing so, give thought from a wide range of perspectives, such as to Japan’s role in the international community, the future of Okinawa, and the possibility of playing active roles as global professionals.

That is all from me at the outset.

Sankei Shimbun, Harakawa: It has been decided that the Japan National Football Team will play the World Cup Preliminary Qualification match in Pyongyang on March 26. I believe the circumstances will be different on a variety of accounts compared to matches held in other countries. Will MOFA be taking any measures or providing any support for the National Team players who are going to Pyongyang for this match?

Press Secretary Kobayashi: We are aware that an away match of the men’s football FIFA World Cup 26™ Preliminary Qualification you just mentioned is scheduled to be played in Pyongyang, North Korea on March 26.

The Government has been requesting people to refrain from traveling to North Korea from Japan as part of our measures toward North Korea, and this measure remains unchanged. However, based on a comprehensive consideration of factors, including tournament regulations and the FIFA Statutes, we have decided not to request the Japan National Team to refrain from traveling to North Korea for this match.

With regard to the question you just asked, the Government will provide as much support as possible to ensure that the Japan National Team can perform to the best of their abilities.

Sankei Shimbun, Harakawa: By “as much support as possible,” do you mean MOFA personnel will be accompanying the team? What concrete support is being considered at this time?

Press Secretary Kobayashi: Due to the nature of the matter, I would like to refrain from commenting on the details. In any case, we will exert all efforts to support the Japan National Team.

Asahi Shimbun, Matsuyama: Earlier, at the meeting of the Committee on Budget of the House of Councillors, the Prime Minister answered about the transfer of defense equipment and technology, and I would like to ask a question in this regard. On the transfer of jointly developed next-generation fighter aircraft to third countries, Prime Minister Kishida just stated that revisions of the Implementation Guidelines will be decided by the cabinet, and that they will include provisions for making cabinet decisions on individual transfers in the future. I thought the Implementation Guidelines for the transfer of defense equipment and technology are subject to revision at the National Security Council. Is my understanding correct that the revisions will now be decided by the cabinet? Please explain if you know.

Press Secretary Kobayashi: We are aware that the Government and the ruling parties are now holding a range of discussions on the circumstances of the joint development. At this time, I, too, am not aware of the details of the actual process involving rigorous screening, so let me check on that.

Kyodo News, Hayashi: I would like to ask about the ICC. Please share with us your reactions on the election of Judge Akane as the President of the ICC. Judge Akane issued an arrest warrant against President Putin of Russia, and Russia has opposed it and placed her on its wanted list. In this light, please tell us if the Government of Japan made requests of any kind to the authorities in the Netherlands or to the ICC.

Press Secretary Kobayashi: As the Foreign Minister commented during her press conference, on the election of Judge Akane as the ICC President, we consider that her election is an outcome of the very high regard in which she is held for her experience, and it is outstanding that a Japanese person was elected to the crucial post of ICC President.

The other question was about ensuring the safety of Judge Akane. We are aware that Judge Akane, who issued arrest warrants against President Putin of Russia and others in July 2023 last year, has been placed on the wanted list of its Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Taking retaliatory measures against ICC officials over individual incidents handled by the ICC is illegitimate, and Japan has asked the ICC and Dutch authorities to take all possible measures to ensure her security. Concrete measures have already been taken. Furthermore, following her appointment as ICC President, we have once again asked the ICC and authorities in the Netherlands, where the ICC is located, to take all possible measures to ensure her security.

Due to the nature of the matter, I will refrain from responding about the concrete measures for ensuring the safety of President Akane. Japan will continue to work with the ICC and others with a sense of urgency and take appropriate measures so as not to hinder her activities as Judge and President of the ICC.