Press Conferences

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

I will visit Washington D.C., the U.S., from April 9 to 13.

I will be accompanying Prime Minister Kishida who is paying an official visit to the U.S., and attend the Japan-U.S. Summit, the state dinner, and other events on April 10. On the following day, April 11, I will attend Prime Minister Kishida’s address to a Joint Meeting of Congress, as well as attend the Japan-U.S.-Philippines Summit, among other events.

On this occasion, I will also hold a Japan-Philippines Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Secretary for Foreign Affairs Manalo of the Philippines who will likewise be visiting the U.S. for the Japan-U.S.-Philippines Summit.

At the Japan-Philippines Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, we will confirm, notably, our intention as maritime nations to enhance our activities for defending a free and open maritime order and maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. At the same time, we will discuss bilateral cooperation as well as Japan-U.S.-Philippines trilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas and work to further strengthen the bilateral relationship.

That is all from me.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kamimura: I would like to ask a question related to your opening remarks. Could you explain again the significance of the Prime Minister’s official visit to the U.S.? You will also be accompanying the Prime Minister as Foreign Minister. Please share with us your thoughts on your role in this visit.

Minister Kamikawa: First, with regard to the question on the significance of the Prime Minister’s visit to the U.S., we perceive that the international community is facing complex and diverse challenges, and the security environment surrounding Japan has become more severe, making the firm unity and the alliance between Japan and the U.S. ever more important.

This visit will confirm the two countries’ role as global partners, their dual leadership in addressing the various challenges facing the international community, and their commitment to further solidifying Japan-U.S. relations to carry out these roles. Additionally, the visit offers a critical opportunity to communicate this message to the world.

Through this visit, the two sides will further deepen their close cooperation. We also hope to make this an opportunity to emphasize, both domestically and abroad, the importance of the Japan-U.S. Alliance for maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law and to strengthen the bilateral relationship among a wide range of stakeholders from both countries.

Regarding the question about my role, I will be accompanying Prime Minister Kishida in view of the visit’s significance that I just noted. Through my attendance at the Japan-U.S. Summit, the state dinner, and a range of other opportunities, I will exchange views with U.S. ministers, including Secretary of State Blinken, and fully fulfill my role as Foreign Minister to ensure that Prime Minister Kishida’s official visit to the U.S. is successful.

Kyodo News, Katsurada: My question is also about the U.S. visit. As you stated at the outset, a Japan-U.S.-Philippines Summit will be held for the first time during Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to the U.S. Please tell us again the significance of this meeting. In addition, please explain your view on the importance of minilateral cooperation.

Minister Kamikawa: There was a question about the significance of holding the Japan-U.S.-Philippines Summit.

The Philippines is a U.S. ally like Japan. As a neighboring maritime nation, it is an important partner for the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Deepening cooperation with the Philippines and other like-minded countries in a wide range of fields based on the Japan-U.S. Alliance is essential for maintaining regional peace and prosperity.

Japan intends to further strengthen the trilateral coordination to uphold and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law as the international community is at a historic turning point.

In this light, it is highly meaningful that a Japan-U.S.-Philippines Summit is being held during Prime Minister Kishida’s official visit.

The second question was about the importance of minilateral cooperation. Multilateral cooperation, including the trilateral cooperation, is critical for maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law, and for contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. It is Japan’s intention to proactively advance such cooperation.

Nikkei Shimbun, Miki: I would like to ask about AUKUS. Last evening, AUKUS, the security framework of the U.S., U.K., and Australia, announced that it is considering approaching Japan about technical cooperation. What is Japan currently considering on such technical cooperation with AUKUS? The three countries said they are considering Japan’s contribution under the Indo-Pacific security framework. What are your views on its significance?

Minister Kamikawa: In order to realize a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” Japan has always maintained close communication and promoted cooperation with the U.S., our ally, and with Australia and the U.K., like-minded countries with which we have been deepening security cooperation.

Amid the shaky foundations of the international order and an increasingly severe security situation in the region, the efforts of AUKUS contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and Japan has consistently supported the framework.

We understand that AUKUS will consider cooperation with Japan on AUKUS Pillar II advanced capability projects. Recognizing the importance of AUKUS, Japan will continue to advance efforts that contribute to reinforcing our defense capabilities.