Press Conferences

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

I recently delivered a speech entitled “New Frontier of Economic Diplomacy” in which I pledged that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will actively support the global activities of Japanese companies. MOFA intends to advance concrete initiatives to fulfill this promise, and today, I am pleased to announce the digitalization of the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC).

The Asia-Pacific region has the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), a major forum participated by 21 countries and regions. Since its establishment in 1989, APEC has implemented cooperation to realize sustainable growth and prosperity, including promoting free trade. Last year, I attended the APEC Ministerial Meeting held in San Francisco.

One of the cooperation schemes of APEC is the ABTC, which enables business persons to enter APEC countries and regions for short-term business purposes through a special lane without a visa. While the ABTC has been well-received for facilitating interactions between business persons in the region, it is being reviewed constantly to further enhance its convenience.

From April 1, the online applications for the ABTC will begin and the card itself will be issued digitally by displaying it on an app for smartphones and other devices. I expect that this will significantly increase convenience, including allowing for online applications anytime and anywhere and shortening the application time, and by extension, increase the business activities of Japanese business persons in the region.

For more information, please inquire with the department in charge.

That is all from me.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kamimura: I would like to ask about the Panel of Experts for the UNSC 1718 Sanctions Committee. At the UNSC meeting on March 28, Russia vetoed a draft resolution to extend the Panel’s mandate. This is anticipated to end the operations of the Panel, which has been monitoring the implementation of the sanctions resolutions over many years. Could you share your comments and the future outlook?

In addition, Japan holds the UNSC presidency until the end of this month. Please tell us about the measures MOFA will be taking in this capacity.

Minister Kamikawa:Firstly, Japan regrets that the draft United Nations Security Council resolution (UNSCR) proposed by the U.S. on the mandate of the Panel of Experts for the UNSC 1718 Sanctions Committee was rejected on March 28, New York time, due to the veto of Russia.

The Panel had been extended by unanimous vote every year since its establishment in 2009, and through its investigative activities, it had played an important role in improving the effectiveness of relevant UNSCRs.

In this context, many Council members, including Japan, had engaged in sincere, transparent and candid discussions on the mandate of the Panel to overcome differences of opinion among them, and there was broad support for the draft resolution among the Council members.

It is regrettable, however, that Russia, who should hold greater responsibility in the maintenance of international peace and security as a permanent member of the Security Council, chose to exercise its veto power. This is a disregard for the United Nations (UN) and multilateralism, and an act that contradicts its grave responsibility as a member of the UNSC to maintain the global nuclear nonproliferation regime.

The Government of Japan will consider further actions, working even more closely than ever with like-minded countries such as the United States and the Republic of Korea, towards the full implementation of the relevant UNSCRs.

Japan, as a Council member, will continue to actively engage in discussions on dealing with North Korea, including discussions in the UNSC 1718 Sanctions Committee, and will make efforts so that the UNSC can fulfill its expected role, while closely communicating with other UNSC members.

NHK, Igarashi:My question is related to UNRWA. Last night, you held a meeting with UNRWA Commissioner General Lazzarini. He explained to you about the organization’s efforts to strengthen governance in response to staff members’ alleged involvement in an attack on Israel. Japan and UNRWA confirmed that they will advance final coordination to resume Japan’s funding that has been suspended. Please explain when the Government of Japan will resume funding and its significance.

Minister Kamikawa:It is widely recognized in the international community that UNRWA plays a vital role in assisting Palestine refugees. Yesterday, I stated to Commissioner General Lazzarini that this is why Japan continued to support UNRWA’s activities for more than 70 years.

I also stressed that the contribution to UNRWA is a valuable resource funded by the Japanese taxpayers’ money, and that it is important take effective measures to ensure that our assistance is not used for any terrorist activities.

On this basis, during yesterday’s meeting with Commissioner General Lazzarini, UNRWA’s improvement measures to strengthen governance and other efforts were explained. Japan and UNRWA are to advance final coordination to materialize necessary efforts to resume Japan’s contribution, and Japan will make a final decision based on such efforts.

We will be considering our response in a timely manner.

Kyodo News, Katsurada:I would like to ask about the Order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on provisional measures against Israel. Yesterday, the ICJ delivered its Order on provisional measures urging Israel to take all measures to provide urgently needed supplies to Palestinians “in view of the worsening conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza, in particular the spread of famine and starvation.” Please share your thoughts with us.

In January as well, the ICJ indicated provisional measures, ordering Israel to take all measures to prevent genocide. How should Israel respond to these judgments in your opinion?

Minister Kamikawa:We are aware that, on March 29, Japan time, or March 28, local time, the ICJ delivered its Order on additional provisional measures in the case concerning an application filed by South Africa instituting proceedings against Israel before the ICJ last December.

The order of provisional measures of the ICJ, the principal international judicial organ of the UN, is legally binding on the parties to the dispute, and to be observed in good faith. Japan also remains seriously concerned about the critical humanitarian situation in Gaza, and has urged Israel to comply with international law, including international humanitarian law, in exercising its right to defend itself and its people.

While closely communicating with the countries and international organizations concerned, Japan will continue to urge all parties to comply with international law, including international humanitarian law, and to act in good faith based on relevant UNSCRs, including UNSCR 2728. Japan will also persistently and actively continue its diplomatic efforts toward the immediate release of the hostages, improvement of the humanitarian situation, and calming down the situation as soon as possible.

Chugoku Shimbun, Miyano:I have a question concerning last week’s UNSC Ministerial Meeting on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. During the meeting, some members underscored the significance of the TPNW and emphasized its complementarity with the NPT on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation aspects. What is the Government of Japan’s view on whether there is or there is not complementarity between the TPNW and the NPT?

Minister Kamikawa:We are aware that there are various positions on the complementarity between the TPNW and the NPT which you asked about. Such arguments have been made primarily by the states parties to the TPNW, and similar remarks were made by several countries at the recent UNSC ministerial meeting.

First, the TPNW is an important treaty that can be described as an exit to “a world without nuclear weapons.” However, not one nuclear-weapon State is participating in the treaty, and a pathway to the “exit” has still not been laid down.

Under the current circumstances, Japan, as the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during war, must seek to involve nuclear-weapon States.

As for the NPT, it is the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime participated by both nuclear-weapon and non-nuclear-weapon States. Maintaining and strengthening the NPT is the realistic path toward a world without nuclear weapons. This was also the view shared by members at the recent UNSC meeting.

Japan will continue and enhance realistic and practical efforts toward a world without nuclear weapons by implementing each of the initiatives under the “Hiroshima Action Plan.”

Anadolu Agency, Furkan:Nearly 35,000 innocent civilians lost their lives in Gaza in the past five months due to Israel’s attacks. During World War II, the U.S. atomic bombing in 1945 took the lives of over 70,000 innocent civilians in Hiroshima alone. The international community is describing that the attacks in Gaza are reminiscent of the killing of civilians in Hiroshima 80 years ago. Do you, as the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, agree that there are resemblances? Additionally, could you explain the Government of Japan’s latest position on the Israeli attacks in Gaza that continue even during the month of Ramadan?

Minister Kamikawa:The Government will refrain from commenting on the matter you just noted. Japan remains seriously concerned about the critical situation in the Gaza Strip that has killed or wounded a large number of people, including children, women, and the elderly. We have been making various diplomatic efforts toward ensuring a conducive environment for sufficient humanitarian assistance activities, promptly realizing a humanitarian ceasefire that leads to the release of the remaining hostages, and then achieving a sustainable ceasefire.

UNSCR 2728, which demands an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, was adopted on March 25 during Japan’s presidency. As a co-penholder, we actively engaged in the discussion and coordination within the Council and voted in favor of the draft resolution.

Japan will continue to actively and persistently make diplomatic efforts, such as reaching out to the countries concerned. In addition, we will continue to urge all parties to abide by international law and to act in good faith based on relevant UNSCRs.

Chugoku Shimbun, Miyano: I would like to follow up on my earlier question. While I agree that the NPT is important as the mainstay of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, TPNW members were advocating that the TPNW complements the NPT. What is the Government of Japan’s position on this argument about complementarity?

Minister Kamikawa:I stated earlier that there are various positions. As I stated then, Japan’s position is that it will advance concrete, realistic, and practical efforts toward a world without nuclear weapons. Based on this position, we are now working to advance the initiatives under the “Hiroshima Action Plan.”