Press Conferences

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

Japan will host the forty-eighth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM48) to be held around May 2026. This is the first time for Japan to host ATCM in 32 years since 1994.

The Government of Japan has decided to hold the meeting in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, after careful consultation following an open call for applications.

The Antarctic Treaty embodies the fundamental principles of the peaceful use of the Antarctic region, international cooperation in the region, and the prohibition of nuclear explosions and the disposal of radioactive material in the region. We consider that Hiroshima City, which aims to become an “International Peace Culture City,” is a fitting host city in line with the spirit of the treaty.

Antarctica is an important place for considering and promoting international cooperation on the future preservation of the global environment. As an original signatory and a consultative party to the Antarctic Treaty, Japan has actively participated in discussions on Antarctica. To date, Japan has conducted observations and research for understanding the changes in the global environment, primarily at Syowa Station, and has been engaged in the protection and conservation of biological resources and the environment in Antarctica.

In preparing for this meeting, the Government of Japan wishes to take this opportunity to represent Japan’s efforts towards solving issues on Antarctica, and further enhance international cooperation on Antarctica, in close collaboration among relevant ministries and with Hiroshima City.

That is all from me.

Kyodo News, Katsurada: I would like to ask about the situation in the Middle East. With Iran suggesting that it has no intention of further retaliatory attacks, there are indications of a temporary easing of the tense situation between Iran and Israel. You held telephone talks with both foreign ministers and directly urged the two countries to calm down the situation. Please share with us again your vision for Japan’s role in the situation in the Middle East. In addition, Israel has expressed readiness to launch a ground invasion in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. What approaches will Japan be taking to Israel in response?

Minister Kamikawa: Japan is extremely concerned about the current situation in the Middle East, and strongly condemns any action that leads to escalation of the situation. Japan has stressed to all parties the necessity to avoid further spillover of the conflict into the region, and called for restraint. At the recent G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Italy, amid the situation growing increasingly tense, we concurred to make every diplomatic effort in order to prevent the further deterioration and escalation of the situation. We also concurred that, to that end, the G7 will continue to work closely together.

In addition, we also discussed on the situation in the Gaza Strip at the recent G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The G7, first, expressed its opposition to a full scale military operation in Rafah, second, called for an immediate release of hostages and a sustainable ceasefire that allows for a surge of humanitarian assistance, and third, shared comments on a “two-state solution” and concurred to implement a closely coordinated response.

Japan has called for an immediate ceasefire to ensure a sustainable environment for humanitarian assistance activities and to realize the release of the hostages, and hopes that this would lead to a sustainable ceasefire. We have urged Israel to such actions, while mentioning our concerns about the situation in Rafah. Japan will continue to persistently and actively make every diplomatic effort.

NHK, Igarashi: I have a question related to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). In the final report, the Review Group led by former Foreign Minister Colonna of France assessed that UNRWA has established mechanisms and procedures to ensure neutrality. Meanwhile, it states that Israel has not provided supporting evidence of its claims that some UNRWA employees are members of terrorist organizations. Please share your reaction to the final report and the response of the Government of Japan going forward.

Minister Kamikawa: On April 22, New York time, an Independent Review Group chaired by former Foreign Minister Colonna of France submitted to the United Nations Secretary-General as well as released a final report that recommends measures for strengthening UNRWA’s governance.

Japan appreciates the report, which mentions areas it attaches importance to, including enhancing the HQ function to oversee the field offices, improving screening and education/training to maintain neutrality of UNRWA staff, and promoting the participation of female staff as leaders.

It is important that UNRWA ensures the implementation of these recommendations. Japan will continue to work with various donors and support efforts to strengthen UNRWA’s governance.

With regard to the neutrality of staff, according to the report, Israel has yet to provide supporting evidence of its claims that a significant number of UNRWA employees are members of terrorist organizations.

In any case, alongside the various efforts identified in the report, Japan will ensure the appropriateness of its projects through the Japan-UNRWA Project Management and Monitoring Mechanism established between Japan and UNRWA and share with other donors our experience and the like.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: Khaldon Azhari, Pan Orient News. In light of Japan's vote in favor of Palestine receiving full UN membership at the Security Council and statements by Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary advocating for the establishment of a Palestinian state, Israel reportedly said it has summoned Japanese ambassador in protest along with some ambassadors of other countries on the basis that this one is against Israel plans especially plans of evacuating the Gaza from the Palestinians. So do you condemn Israel for this action? Do you plan to recognize Palestine as a state?

Minister Kamikawa: Japan voted in favor of the draft Security Council resolution on full UN membership for Palestine as a comprehensive decision, recognizing that Palestine meets the criteria for admission to the UN membership, while also taking into account the perspective of promoting the establishment of a Palestinian state through peaceful negotiations for the realization of peace in the Middle East.

Nevertheless, our vote in favor of the Security Council resolution on Palestine’s admission to UN membership and recognition of Palestine as a state are two separate issues, and the position of Japan has not changed.

I am aware that, on April 21, a diplomatic corps comprised of several countries, including Japan, held a meeting with Israeli government officials at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel. At this meeting, Israeli government officials explained Israel’s position on this draft resolution, and Japan explained the position of the Government in a proper manner.

Japan has continued to support a “two-state solution” through negotiations between the parties, and we will contribute to advancing the peace process by effectively capitalizing on the unique position Japan has established in the Middle East region.

Anadolu Agency, Furkan: It will soon be 200 days since Israel launched its attacks on Gaza. Israel’s attacks persist despite the international community’s calls for a ceasefire. Could you update us on the Government of Japan’s approach to Israel’s ongoing massacre in the Gaza Strip? If Israel makes new unfounded claims, will the Government of Japan consider suspending its UNRWA funding again? Thank you.

Minister Kamikawa: As I stated earlier, Japan has called for an immediate ceasefire to ensure a sustainable environment for humanitarian assistance activities and to realize the release of the hostages, hoping that this would lead to a sustainable ceasefire. With this in mind, Japan has called on all parties to act immediately from a humanitarian perspective.

The release of hostages and the pause in fighting are still in a negotiation process intermediated by the countries concerned. To realize these ends, Japan is coordinating closely with the countries concerned and working to create an environment conducive to negotiation. Japan will continue to make persistent and active diplomatic efforts.

There was a question about Japan’s future funding for UNRWA. Japan’s projects are being implemented based on careful monitoring to ensure that assistance reaches children and women in an appropriate and proper manner. We will continue to steadily provide such support from the standpoint of humanitarian assistance.

Sankei Shimbun, Harakawa: I would like to ask about a criminal trial currently taking place in Hong Kong over work related to human rights issues in China and Hong Kong in 2020, in which Ms. KANNO Shiori, former member of the House of Representatives, has been named as the defendant’s co-conspirator. There have been discussions in the Diet that making the speech of a Japanese Diet member a subject of an overseas criminal trial constitutes an infringement of Japan’s sovereignty. Some are also calling on the Government to protest. At a meeting of the Budget Committee of the House of Councillors on March 6, you stated, “It is necessary to assess the individual specific circumstances, including whether it constitutes an infringement of sovereignty.” I would like to ask if the Government has since assessed whether it constitutes an infringement of sovereignty. Could you tell us the Government’s current understanding on this matter?

Minister Kamikawa: On the case you referred to, Japan is strongly concerned about the impact and the like that developments, including the imprisonment of Lai Chee-ying (Jimmy Lai), will have on the freedom of speech and the freedom of association and assembly in Hong Kong.

With regard to Ms. KANNO Shiori, former member of the House of Representatives, being named as the defendant’s co-conspirator, because the trial is ongoing, we are continuing to follow the proceedings at this time. We consider that it is necessary to assess the individual specific circumstances, including whether it constitutes an infringement of Japan’s sovereignty.

Mainichi Shimbun, Moriguchi: My question is related to Ukraine. You attended the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Italy. In the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Communiqué, the G7 Foreign Ministers confirmed they will continue to work to achieve the widest possible international support for the key principles and objectives of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, also in view of the high-level international conference planned in Switzerland in mid-June. Does Japan plan to attend this high-level conference scheduled for June? Given also the prospects that Russia may not participate, how does Japan intend to contribute to the discussions toward achieving peace in Ukraine?

Minister Kamikawa: We are aware that on April 10, the Government of Switzerland announced that it will host the “high-level conference on peace in Ukraine” at the Bürgenstock in Switzerland in June.

We view that this will be a critical conference for achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. While the attendees have not yet been finalized, we intend to respond to the situation in coordination with other countries, including Switzerland and Ukraine.

I understand that the participating countries are being arranged, and I would like to refrain from commenting on the prospects of other countries’ participation. In any case, amid the aggression’s prolongation, Japan’s duty is to make ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure that the international community continues to take united responses standing with Ukraine.

In this regard, I myself stressed that Japan will never waver in its position of standing with Ukraine, at the recent G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Capri, Italy. Moreover, G7 reaffirmed to make efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace.

Japan will continue to demonstrate leadership to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, working together with other countries including the G7 and the so-called “Global South” countries.

Asahi Shimbun, Matsuyama: I would like to ask about parliamentary diplomacy. Vice-President Aso of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) is currently visiting the United States, and it has been reported that he will meet with former President Trump as early as on April 23 local time. Recently, Prime Minister Kishida paid an official visit to the U.S. and confirmed with President Biden that the two countries are global partners. Please share with us your view on what the significance of former Prime Minister Aso visiting the U.S. and meeting former President Trump from the Republican Party. If the meeting between Mr. Aso and Mr. Trump is actually realized, what impact do you expect for future Japan-U.S. relations?

Minister Kamikawa: On Vice-President Aso’s visit to the U.S., I understand that Vice-President Aso is paying a visit as a member of the Diet.

The visit is being paid in his personal capacity without government involvement, so I would like to refrain from making comments.

I am also not in a position to respond about my thoughts and would like to refrain from responding.

Mainichi Shimbun, Moriguchi: It has come to light that a Chinese professor at Asia University has been unreachable since he temporarily returned to China last February. What do you know about this matter? In addition, there have been a series of similar cases in which the whereabouts of Chinese professors become unknown. Please share your thoughts on this.

Minister Kamikawa: We are aware of the reports you are referring to.

The professor has been a faculty member at a university in Japan for many years. As this case may concern the human rights of the professor, we are following it with close attention and interest, taking into account similar cases in the past. However, I would like to refrain from making further comments due to the nature of the matter.