Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Although I have one more day left in the Philippines, I would like to give a summary of my visit to Cambodia and the Philippines.

On occasions including my visit last October to four countries in the ASEAN region and the subsequent Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, Japan and ASEAN Member States have sought to deepen their relationship as true friends with “heart-to-heart” connections. This visit to Cambodia and the Philippines is also part of such diplomatic efforts.

As partners both striving for peace and prosperity through co-creation based on trust built by our predecessors in this region, Japan and ASEAN are advancing concrete cooperation to address the contemporary challenges we face in common. I believe my visit to the two countries has led to further progress in the following two areas.

The first is concrete actions for realizing peace and stability.

In Cambodia, I visited the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) that Japan has worked with for many years. I presented a new vision for Japan’s cooperation on humanitarian mine action and launched “Japan-Cambodia Landmine Initiative” to promote cooperation with Cambodia as a hub. They were well received by Cambodia, and Japan would like to accelerate future concrete cooperation.

In the Philippines, through today’s courtesy call on President Marcos, Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (“2+2”), and meeting with Secretary for Foreign Affairs Manalo, we confirmed that coordination to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law contributes to the region’s peace, stability, and economic prosperity.

I expect that the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) signed today will become a new foundation for further promoting security and defense cooperation between the two countries and contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

The second area in which this visit has led to further progress is initiatives for realizing prosperity. We will reinforce social infrastructure development and maritime connectivity using Japan’s know-how and technology.

In Cambodia, based on the cooperative achievements between the two countries, I set forth the “three new cooperation approaches,” including social infrastructure development and maritime connectivity, and gained Cambodia’s support.

In addition, Japan and the Philippines, a neighboring country with which we are connected by sea and a strategic partner with which we share fundamental values and principles, concurred on continuing infrastructure development, such as Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3, which I visited this time, as well as Official Security Assistance (OSA) and maritime cooperation, including provision of patrol vessels to the Coast Guard. We hope to raise Japan-Philippines relations to new heights, with the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines in 2026 in mind.

In both Cambodia and the Philippines, I sensed that there is a high level of trust in Japan built on the efforts made by our predecessors. Furthermore, in the Philippines, I exchanged views with younger generation of Japanese people who play an active role in the country. I was very much inspired in the discussion and it gave me hope for the future. Later this month, ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings will be held in Laos. On that occasion, I will be holding an ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and other meetings. Fully building on this visit and other outcomes of the “South Asia Diplomacy Week” I mentioned at last week’s press conference, I will work to strengthen Japan’s relations with ASEAN Member States and carry out further diplomacy that will bring peace and prosperity to the future.

That is all from me.

Reporter: Please tell us about the significance of signing the Japan-Philippines RAA today. In addition, what is your view on the importance of strengthening Japan-Philippines relations amid heightening tensions in the South China Sea?

Minister Kamikawa: I hope that Japan-Philippines RAA, which I signed today, will further promote security and defense cooperation between the two countries, and strengthen peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Regarding the situation in the South China Sea you are referring to, at the Japan-Philippines “2+2,” we expressed strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion. Then, we also expressed serious concerns over actions which increase tensions in the region, particularly the recent dangerous activities at Second Thomas Shoal. In addition, we confirmed that we will call for the adherence to international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

I believe that amidst the multiple crises the international community is facing, strengthening coordination with the Philippines, a strategic partner with which we share fundamental values and principles, is vital for maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Reporter: The Japan-Philippines 2+2 has concluded, and I believe another 2+2 with the U.S. is up next. I think the 2+2 meetings have sent messages to China that unilateral changes to the status quo will not be tolerated, and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already issued a comment critiquing the latest RAA. How does Japan intend to pursue diplomacy with China going forward?

Minister Kamikawa: Whether it is between Japan and the Philippines or Japan and the U.S., the “2+2” is not targeted at a specific country. It is a consultative body to discuss a range of issues concerning security cooperation. At today’s Japan-Philippines “2+2,” we confirmed to promote security and defense cooperation and coordinate on regional and global issues toward maintaining and strengthening the free and open international order based on the rule of law.

With China, it is Japan’s consistent policy that both Japan and China will make efforts to build a “constructive and stable relationship.” It means that while comprehensively promoting a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests,” Japan will firmly maintain and assert our position and strongly request China to act responsibly, while at the same time continue to engage in dialogue including that on areas of concern and cooperate on matters of common interest.

In line with this broad direction, Japan will continue to maintain multi-layered communications at all levels, including at the summit level.

Reporter: In Cambodia, you set forth a package of assistance to humanitarian mine action and a vision for future cooperation. What is the aim behind Japan’s launch of this cooperation with the Hun Manet administration that came into office last year? Cambodia has come under some scrutiny for its elections and so on. How do you intend to build relations with Cambodia?

Minister Kamikawa: During this visit, deep gratitude was expressed for Japan’s development support for Cambodia over 30 years since the peace process. I sensed a genuine relationship of trust between the people of both countries.

Cambodia is a key partner that has consistently supported Japan’s key policies. Under our “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” we hope to strengthen coordination with the Hun Manet administration for maintaining and promoting a free and open international order based on the rule of law. The three cooperation approaches, including the “Japan-Cambodia Landmine Initiative” launched today, will be founded on bilateral trusting relationships and thereby contribute to regional stability.

In addition, Japan’s package of assistance to humanitarian mine action that was announced together with the “Japan-Cambodia Landmine Initiative” presents a vision for mine action not only in Cambodia but also in the rest of the world. Under this vision, we will contribute to peace and stability across the international community.

At the same time, Cambodia’s democratic development is also important. During this visit, I exchanged views with the Cambodian side on this point as well. Building on the outcomes of this visit, Japan will continue to support the democratic development of Cambodia.