Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Yesterday, I received recommendations on “Science and Technology Diplomacy and ODA” from Prof. Matsumoto, Science and Technology Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Kotani, Science and Technology Co-Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The Advisory Board for Promoting Science and Technology Diplomacy, chaired by Prof. Matsumoto, has put together these recommendations on measures necessary for using ODA to advance science and technology diplomacy.

Based on these recommendations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will collaborate with a range of partners, including the private sector and academia, and use ODA to apply Japan’s science and technology to solve issues facing developing countries.

Notably, I believe that Japan’s science and technology can be leveraged to bring innovation to clearing landmines. We will work together with the private sector, which has accumulated a wealth of knowledge in this field, in order to realize the recommendations, beginning with landmine clearance.

At the same time, the Advisory Board recommended developing a scheme to bring back home the know-how gained by applying science and technology in developing countries, and link it to further innovation in Japan. MOFA will aim to realize such an ecosystem by collaborating with various stakeholders.

That is all from me.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kamimura: In addition to the recommendations on ODA and science and technology which you just discussed, a day before that you also received recommendations and a resolution on ODA in the new era from the Foreign Affairs Division and other bodies of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP). This year marks the 70th anniversary of the start of Japan’s ODA. Can you please share your thoughts on what the new ODA should look like, keeping in mind Japan’s national interests?

Minister Kamikawa: This year marks the 70th anniversary of Japan’s International Cooperation. Japan has contributed to the development of many developing countries through ODA. I believe that our solid achievements contribute to growth of Japan and to increased trust in Japan.

The countries now have a significant presence in the world as the Global South. Countries which were aid recipients have become partners responsible for the future of the international community. I believe Japan needs to consider new initiatives for the next phase of ODA based on partnerships with these countries.

With this in mind, we established the Development Cooperation Charter last year. Under this charter, we launched “offer-type” cooperation. In addition, we have strengthened initiatives that contribute to solving the challenges of developing countries as well as to realizing Japan’s national interests through the “co-creation” of social values with various partners.

This March, the Advisory Panel on New Financing for Development was established under myself. Based on various considerations, including the recommendations of the Advisory Board for Promoting Science and Technology Diplomacy I mentioned in my opening remarks, the Advisory Panel hopes to outline an ODA approach that is in line with the times, including building an ecosystem to bring back home the know-how acquired in developing countries.

NHK, Igarashi: I have a question about Taiwan. The swearing-in ceremony for President-elect Lai Ching-te of Taiwan is scheduled to be held next week on the 20th. What type of Japan-Taiwan relations do you hope to build under President Lai? I would also like to ask if the Government of Japan plans to issue a congratulatory message or the like on the occasion of the swearing-in ceremony.

Minister Kamikawa: The swearing-in ceremony for the President and Vice President will be held in Taiwan on May 20. I understand that Mr. Lai Ching-te and Ms. Hsiao Bi-khim will be sworn in as President and Vice President, respectively.

Taiwan is an extremely important partner and a precious friend of Japan. We share basic values and enjoy a close economic relationship and people-to-people exchange.

The Government of Japan will work toward deepening cooperation and exchanges between Japan and Taiwan, based on the basic position to maintain Japan-Taiwan relations as a working relationship on a non-governmental basis.

Based on Japan’s basic position that I just mentioned, the swearing-in ceremony will be addressed in an appropriate manner.

Nikkei Shimbun, Miki: On the 19th, it will be one year since the Hiroshima Summit opened. How do you analyze the changes in the international situation over the past year? In addition, at the Hiroshima Summit, discussions focused on topics such as the Indo-Pacific and the approach toward China. Based on the current international situation, what is your view on how the Hiroshima Summit discussions have helped the situation?

Minister Kamikawa: One year after the Hiroshima Summit, the world is still at a turning point in history. I strongly feel this every day. Even now, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues, and the situation in the Middle East is becoming increasingly tense. In the face of growing division and confrontation in the international community, it is vital to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law as well as realize a world where human dignity is respected.

Therefore, it is important more than ever to further strengthen cooperation between like-minded countries, including the G7, as well as work together more broadly with developing and emerging countries in the Global South.

In this respect, looking back, we still consider that the G7 Hiroshima Summit delivered extremely meaningful outcomes.

I believe that the G7 successfully demonstrated its unity to the world through discussions from two perspectives of the rule of law and strengthening relations with partners beyond the G7.

In addition, together with the leaders of invited countries including the Global South, the leaders shared the importance of the rule of law and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations (UN). This marked a major step forward toward realizing an international community characterized by cooperation rather than division and confrontation under Japan’s leadership.

Furthermore, through chairing the Hiroshima Summit and the respective G7 meetings last year, Japan led the discussions on the Indo-Pacific. It was very meaningful that the G7 demonstrated its commitment to taking concrete actions in cooperation with the Global South in wide-ranging areas, including food, development, health, climate and energy, and AI.

Kyodo News, Nishiyama: I would like to ask about the program for dispatching Japanese professionals to international organizations. This year marked the 50th anniversary of Japan’s Junior Professional Officer (JPO) program. Can you please discuss its outcomes, significance, and future challenges?

Minister Kamikawa: The question was about the significance, outcomes, and future challenges of JPO, which marked its 50th anniversary this year. I will begin with its significance. The JPO program dispatches to international organizations young Japanese people who aspire to become “future leaders playing an active role in the international community,” spreading their wings from “Japan to the world.” It enables them to start their careers as members of international organizations. Japan started dispatching professionals in 1974, and this year marked the 50th anniversary.

Regarding the outcomes, the JPO program has dispatched more than 2,000 people so far. They are active around the world as the “face” of Japan to solve cross-border challenges, such as poverty and disarmament. Ms. Nakamitsu, UN Under-Secretary-General who I met recently, is a JPO alumna. Ms. Noda, Director of the Crisis Bureau of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is also a JPO alumna. Considering that the JPO program was the starting point for these Japanese women who went on to have distinguished careers as senior UN officials, it is extremely significant that this program with a long history was established.

As for future challenges, it is important that those who complete their JPO assignments will find many more posts and develop their careers at international organizations. MOFA will continue to partner with international organizations and provide support to young people. We hope that as many people as possible consider working for international organizations as part of their career plan and actively apply to the JPO program.

Asahi Shimbun, Matsuyama: I would like to ask about active cyber defense. Today, the LDP started discussing active cyber defense. I believe the Government also is arranging to convene an advisory panel as early as possible. How does MOFA intend to engage in this issue, which will be addressed across various ministries and agencies? Additionally, it has been reported that the U.S. has warned Japan over last year’s leaking of Japanese classified defense information due to Chinese military hackers. As Foreign Minister you are in a position to take charge of diplomacy. In the course of normal diplomacy, what have you heard or what requests have you received from other countries about the importance of introducing active cyber defense?

Minister Kamikawa: First, under the leadership of the Cabinet Secretariat, the entire Government is accelerating discussions to present proposal legislation as early as possible for realizing active cyber defense. MOFA has been actively involved in this process.

Regarding the need for active cyber defense, in view of the severe cyberspace situation in recent years, there is a possibility of serious cyberattacks occurring that may cause national security concerns to the government agencies and critical infrastructures. We recognize that we need to eliminate such cyberattacks in advance to the extent possible and prevent the spread of damage in case of such attacks. Taking these factors into account, Japan’s introduction of active cyber defense was confirmed in the “National Security Strategy.”

Japan and other countries share the view on the importance of information security, and we are working together to take adequate cybersecurity measures.

With advances in science and technology, such issues are truly urgent challenges. I share this recognition, including Japan’s initiatives, in various diplomatic arenas.

Freelance, Takahashi: I would like to ask about the “pandemic agreement.” Its preface states, “Noting with concern that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic revealed serious shortcomings in preparedness at national and global levels for the timely and effective prevention and detection of, and response to, health emergencies.” In Japan, however, the number of deaths decreased by 8,338 in 2020, before the emergence of mRNA vaccines, whereas since 2021, the cumulative number of deaths increased by over 481,000 by the end of 2023 based on the 2020 figure. On the other hand, the cumulative number of COVID-19 deaths, including all those who died with a positive PCR test, does not reach 75,000. Why does Japan continue to support the pandemic agreement despite the fact that Japan’s response to COVID-19 elicited serious failures and despite more countries voicing their opposition to the agreement?

Minister Kamikawa: The question was about the “Pandemic Agreement.” Earnest negotiations are now under way to submit the text of the agreement to the 77th World Health Assembly to be held from May 27.

Global health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic require a united response from the international community.

It is important to create truly useful international norms for strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. Furthermore, for norms to be effective, they need to be universal, with many countries, including major states, agreeing to their submission. The Government of Japan will continue to participate constructively in the negotiations and contribute to their successful conclusion.