Press Conferences

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

From today to July 7, we will welcome Minister of Foreign Affairs Sabry of Sri Lanka as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Today, I will hold the Japan-Sri Lanka Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Minister Sabry’s visit follows on from my visit to Sri Lanka in May. The fact that the two foreign ministers will have visited each other’s country within only two months demonstrates the deepening of Japan-Sri Lanka bilateral relations. In addition, Minister Sabry has participated in the Ship for World Youth Program. I feel a deep connection between the two countries.

The development of Sri Lanka, which is situated in a strategic location in the Indian Ocean, is essential for the stability and prosperity of the whole Indo-Pacific region. With this understanding, Japan has been strongly supporting Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring efforts, and we welcome that a final agreement was reached on the memorandum of understanding on debt restructuring. Based on these developments, I look forward to deepening discussions with Foreign Minister Sabry with a view to further strengthening our bilateral relations.

I have focused on maritime affairs and connectivity as the underlying consistent themes of my regional diplomacy. Following Minister Sabry’s visit today, I will visit Cambodia and the Philippines, which are also maritime nations connected by the sea, from this Friday, July 5. Through these meetings, I will be proactively making efforts toward diplomacy for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).”

What can be called the “South Asia Diplomacy Week” will be getting started. At its kickoff Japan-Sri Lanka Foreign Ministers’ Meeting today, we will hold a candid exchange of views on not only bilateral relations but also regional affairs to further expand our relationship.

That is all from me.

Jiji Press, Murakami: My question concerns the sex crime incident involving the U.S. military personnel that occurred in Okinawa Prefecture. In response to this case, you indicated last week that MOFA will be discussing with relevant ministries and agencies, including investigative bodies, about sharing information on serious incidents with local municipalities. Furthermore, today, Mayor Ishimine of Yomitan Village lodged protests with MOFA’s Okinawa Liaison Office, calling for the prevention of such incidents and a review of the communication mechanisms. Has MOFA decided on any responses, such as establishing a new communication scheme or convening the existing “Working Team for Preventing Incidents and Accidents by Members of the U.S. Forces, the Civilian Component, and Others”? Please tell us about your intentions.

Minister Kamikawa: On the recent case, my heart aches when I think of the victim. The incident is extremely regrettable, also from the perspective of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) that I am advocating for as Foreign Minister.

MOFA will urge the U.S. to ensure the prevention of incidents and accidents, including implementing concrete measures that fully take a WPS perspective.

Furthermore, given the concerns and worries of the people of Okinawa, MOFA intends to consider sharing information with local municipalities on serious incidents in the future during discussions with relevant ministries and agencies, including investigative bodies, while considering factors including the privacy of the victims and the impact on investigations.

NHK, Igarashi: Changing topics, I would like to ask about the detention of a Japanese national in Myanmar. The military holding power in Myanmar since the coup three years ago has revealed that it detained a Japanese person for violations related to the selling price of rice. As of yesterday’s press conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary, it was explained that the Japanese national was not having any particular health issue. Could you update us with the latest information MOFA has and explain to us what responses it will be taking?

Minister Kamikawa: It has been confirmed that, on June 30, local time, a Japanese man in his 50s was detained on suspicion of selling rice at prices higher than the fair price, and he is currently being interrogated at a police station in Yangon.

On June 30 and July 1, a lawyer met with the Japanese national at the police station, and we have been told that he has no particular issues with his health condition.

The Government will continue to call on local authorities to release the Japanese national as soon as possible. At the same time, to protect the Japanese national, we will also continue to take appropriate actions, including communicating with his employer and providing other necessary support.

Independent Web Journal, Hamamoto: I would like to ask about foreign policy. In Europe, the EU Parliament elections were followed by the general election of the French National Assembly, which will be followed by the general election to the UK Parliament. In all of these elections, we have seen a rise in radical right-wing and radical left-wing forces. They are critical of globalism and the neoliberal policies led by the U.S., NATO, and the EU, as well as of the roles played by the EU and NATO. They advocate for restoring their own national sovereignty and protecting people’s lives. For example, France’s right-wing National Rally gains voter support by opposing the continuation of the Ukraine conflict and anti-Russian policies. Their arguments are completely opposite to the Kishida administration’s diplomatic stance. What are your thoughts on the fact that such arguments continue to gain support in Europe? Additionally, the G7 is expected to become divided in the future. Will the Kishida administration nevertheless continue its faithful subservience to the U.S.?

Minister Kamikawa: Regarding the European Parliament elections in early June, the recent National Assembly election in France, and the upcoming election to the UK Parliament, Japan is closely following the situation in each country, the election results, and their impact.

There is no change to Japan’s intention to continue to conduct diplomacy toward maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the Rule of Law.

We will continue to work closely with EU and like-minded countries and partners in Europe, including NATO.