Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Recently I visited three countries which embody the diversity of Africa, specifically Madagascar, Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria.

What I found most striking during this visit was the energy emanating in the cities, especially the smiles of many children and young people. I saw firsthand the dynamism and potential of Africa as well as its high expectations for Japan.

It was a delightful surprise to see young Japanese people, including women, already attempting new businesses and tackling challenges in Africa.

Furthermore, the strengthening of connectivity has become an issue in Africa, I paid attention to creating regional hubs through this visit. In my discussions with university, hospitals, port, and library staff in the three countries, I felt the necessity to develop many of our outstanding initiatives into the “dot” level to the “surface.”

With these thoughts, we will establish the Secretariat for TICAD in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) next week, a little earlier than usual, in order to promote specific preparations for the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in August this year and TICAD 9 next year.

Going forward, through the TICAD process, Japan will incorporate the dynamism of the African economy and co-create with Africa measures to realize economic growth, peace, and stability on the continent.

In addition, we are currently calling for designs for the official logo for TICAD 9. The deadline for applications is Friday, June 7, and I encourage everyone to apply.

That is all from me.

Hokkaido Shimbun, Imai: I would like to ask about Russia. On May 7, the inauguration ceremony for President Putin was held, and started his fifth term in office. The Putin administration, which is continuing its aggression against Ukraine, has been making its stance of confrontation with the Western countries clear. Please tell us about what role Japan would like to play toward achieving peace in Ukraine.

In addition, I would also like to ask about the Northern Territories issue. How do you intend to approach diplomacy toward Russia in order to resolve the territorial issue? The average age of the former island residents of the Northern Territories is currently nearly 90 years old, they are running out of time. Please tell us specifically about how and by when you would like to resolve the territorial issue.

Minister Kamikawa: First, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundation of the international order. Japan will continue to work with the international community including the G7 to impose severe sanctions against Russia and provide strong support for Ukraine in order to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible.

On the Northern Territories Issue, Japan-Russia relations to be in a difficult situation due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Regrettably, I have nothing specific to report right now regarding the peace treaty negotiations. The Government of Japan will firmly maintain its policy of concluding a peace treaty, through the resolution of the Northern Territories issue.

Given that the average age of the former island residents is nearly 90 years old, we intend to make every effort to resolve the issue.

Kyodo News, Nishiyama: On the ceremony to celebrate 79th anniversary of Victory, President Putin stated in his speech that “our strategic forces are always in combat readiness” and he flaunted the existence of nuclear strategic forces in Russia’s nuclear fighting capability. This is a statement made in the context of the continuing invasion of Ukraine. Please share with us the reaction of the MOFA about this matter.

Minister Kamikawa: I am aware that President Putin stated that Russia’s strategic forces are always in combat readiness, in his speech on the Military Parade to Commemorate the 79th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War held on May 9.

Japan is seriously concerned that Russia has been reiterating the use of nuclear weapons in the context of its aggression against Ukraine.

As the only country that has ever suffered atomic bombings during war time, Japan considers that it absolutely cannot accept Russia’s nuclear threat, let alone its use of nuclear weapons. Japan has taken every opportunity to convey its position to the Russia and has expressed to the international community as well. We will continue these efforts going forward.

NHK, Igarashi: My question concerns the situation in the Middle East. U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin announced that the U.S. had paused some shipments of weapons to Israel. The U.S. has expressed the position that it does not support large-scale ground operations by Israel in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, and the aim of the action seems to include urging Israel to respond cautiously. Please tell us about your thoughts and the response of the Government of Japan to this matter.

Minister Kamikawa: Japan will refrain from commenting on the individual communication between third countries.

In any case, Japan has opposed to a full scale military operation in Rafah, as we concurred at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. We call for an immediate ceasefire to ensure a sustainable environment for humanitarian assistance activities and the release of the hostages, and hope that this would lead to a sustainable ceasefire. Japan will also continue to make every diplomatic efforts to calm down the situation.

Mainichi Shimbun, Moriguchi: I heard that the Government of Japan is making arrangements for Prime Minister Kishida’s attendance for the “Summit on Peace in Ukraine” to be held in Switzerland after the G7 Summit. Please explain us the significance of Prime Minister Kishida directly attending the summit on peace, how Japan plans to participate in the discussions, and what outcomes it hopes to achieve.

Minister Kamikawa: I understand that on the second day of this month, President Amherd of Switzerland announced that the Summit on Peace in Ukraine will be held in Bürgenstock on the outskirts of Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 15 and 16.

Nothing has been decided about attendees from the Government of Japan to the summit.

We recognize that this summit is an important meeting for the international community to present its stance of supporting the efforts of Ukraine toward achieving of a just and lasting peace. Japan will steadfastly make efforts in coordination with other countries.

Anadolu Agency, Furkan: I would like to ask about the crisis in the Middle East. Israel is expanding its attacks on Rafah City, and the U.S. announced the possibility that it will cut off all weapons aid to Israel in the case that Israel commences a ground attack on Rafah City. What could the Government of Japan do to prevent an attack on Rafah by Israel? Could you explain the latest position of the Government of Japan concerning the such situation in Gaza? Moreover, the number of countries establishing diplomatic relations with Palestine has increased. Does the Government of Japan intend to take a new step toward recognizing Palestine as a state? Thank you.

Minister Kamikawa: Amid prolonged fighting, we are deeply concerned about a more severe critical humanitarian situation on the ground. Japan has opposed a full scale military operation in Rafah, as we concurred at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. We call for an immediate ceasefire to ensure a sustainable environment for humanitarian assistance activities and the release of the hostages, and hope that this would lead to a sustainable ceasefire.

At the same time, I believe that reopening the Rafah border crossing is important from the perspective of ensuring humanitarian access. Bearing these in mind, we will continue to actively and persistently make diplomatic efforts, including urging Israel to respond appropriately.

Furthermore, yesterday I received reports that UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem suffered arson and other disruptive acts, and it ended up closing for the time being. We are confirming the details of the facts, but UNRWA plays a vital role in assisting Palestine refugees. It is completely unacceptable for these disruptive acts to be carried out against United Nations facilities. It is necessary to develop an environment in which international organizations can execute their missions appropriately, and we will urge Israel to respond accordingly.

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.

Japan will continue to support a “two-state solution” and understand the wish of the Palestinians to establish an independent state, and supports Palestine’s efforts toward that.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kamimura: I have a question related to political affairs. An election for the prefectural governor has been announced in Shizuoka Prefecture, your local area. This is a large local election following recent House of Representatives by-elections in which the Liberal Democratic Party lost all three by-elections, including elections wherein the LDP did not even field a candidate. Please tell us about your thoughts on the key issues in this election for Governor. In addition, please tell us about your activities and involvement in the election campaign for this election for the prefectural governor.

Minister Kamikawa: This press conference is a forum for me to respond as foreign minister. I would like to refrain from answering questions concerning local elections.

Mainichi Shimbun, Moriguchi: My question is related to the remarks by U.S senior officials in a public hearing in the U.S. In the Senate confirmation hearing in the U.S., senior officials, who are military leaders, made remarks to the effect that the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the world war. At today’s Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, Japan, you expressed that Japan requested the Government of the U.S., and others for a conference with the Japanese side. Please tell us again about the details of the request and your reaction on this matter.

Minister Kamikawa: I am aware of the communications you are referring to. I believe those remarks about Hiroshima and Nagasaki were not appropriate.

Japan is aware that the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki took so many precious lives and caused an extremely regrettable humanitarian situation in which people suffered indescribable sufferings due to illness and disabilities.

As the Government has been expressing for a long time, we believe the use of nuclear weapons does not match the spirit of humanitarianism, which is the ideological foundation of international law, because of their tremendous destructive and lethal power.

There is no change in such Japan’s view concerning the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We have reiterated this point to the U.S. side, and I once again expressed this view to the U.S. side at this time.

In any case, as the only country to have suffered atomic bombings during wartime, Japan has been promoting realistic and practical efforts toward the realization of a world without nuclear weapons in cooperation with the U.S. as well. so that nuclear weapons, which could cause catastrophic damage to mankind, are never used again in the future. We are responding in line with this basic thinking.

Chugoku Shimbun, Miyano: I would like to ask a related question. Recently, when Congressman Walberg made a remark which seemed to support the use of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan did not lodge a protest to the U.S. side. This time, senior U.S. officials’ remarks, were triggered by the initial question by Senator Lindsey Graham, but is there any reason why Japan’s response was different this time?

Minister Kamikawa: These two remarks concerning the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were made not far apart in time, and they included inappropriate contents although it was in a variety of different contexts.

The recent remark of Congressman Walberg was made in the context of his personal relationships and subsequently he added further remarks and explanations of his intentions based on his own understanding of the issues. On the other hand, the present remarks were actually made at a confirmation hearing of the U.S. With the recognition that it is difficult to allow the two atomic bombings to be mentioned, in particular in the context of the situation in the Middle East, we took the different response that you talked about just now, and we are now moving in that direction.