Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have two announcements.

First, I will visit Italy, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo from July 15 to 21.

In Italy, I will attend the G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting to be held on July 16 and 17.

Last October, I as chair hosted the G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Osaka-Sakai. The upcoming meeting under Italy’s Presidency follows from those discussions. In addition, it will further deepen the discussions, building on the leaders’ discussions at the G7 Apulia Summit held in June.

Specifically, the meeting is scheduled to discuss matters including maintaining and strengthening a free and fair international order, ensuring a level playing field, enhancing supply chain resiliency, and addressing economic coercion.

The international community is facing accumulating issues, including the situation in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and climate change, and it is becoming increasingly important for the G7 to take a leading role and responsibility for achieving sustainable world economic growth in collaboration with other partners.

As last year’s chair, I intend to participate actively in the discussions.

During my visit to the three Western Balkan countries, I will hold meetings with government dignitaries and others in each country, who are advancing efforts toward peace and stability following intense ethnic conflicts after the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia in 1991.

In 2018, Japan launched the “Western Balkans Cooperation Initiative” to facilitate peace and stability in this region. Since then, high-level officials have steadily visited this region, including two visits by the Foreign Minister. In recent years, Japanese companies, especially the manufacturing industry, have increased their presence there. Economic stability is precisely the foundation for peace and stability in the region.

As such, Japan has steadily enhanced its engagement in this region since unveiling the “Western Balkans Cooperation Initiative” six years ago, and it is against this backdrop that I will be visiting the three countries. I hope to exchange views on Japan’s unchanging engagement in the region by taking bilateral relations with each country forward. Furthermore, I aim to strengthen our collaboration in addressing global issues, including Women, Peace and Security (WPS).

Specifically, first, in Serbia, where investments by Japanese companies have steadily grown in recent years, we will seek to strengthen economic relations and support the EU-mediated Serbia-Kosovo dialogue for peace and stability in the region.

Second, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in addition to holding meetings with government dignitaries, I will visit Gallery 11/07/95, which conveys the horrors of conflict and the importance of peace.

Third, in Kosovo, which will be visited for the first time by a Japanese Foreign Minister, we will confirm the strengthening of bilateral relations and encourage dialogue with Serbia, on this milestone year marking the 15th anniversary of our diplomatic relations.

As conflicts continue in Ukraine, the Middle East, and other parts of the world, my visit to the Western Balkan region, which aspires to achieve peace and stability after experiencing cruel conflicts, is an extension of the consistent diplomatic efforts made by the Government of Japan for peace and stability of the international community, and offers a very important opportunity. I intend to make this a meaningful visit.

Minister Kamikawa: Second, personnel decisions related to senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) were approved during the Cabinet meeting this morning. The announcements will be effective as of July 19.

Director-General/ Assistant Minister of Global Issues AKAHORI Takeshi will be appointed Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of economic affairs, which assumes heavy responsibilities, including Sherpa for the G7 and G20 Summits. Deputy Director-General/ Deputy Assistant Minister/ Deputy Legal Adviser NAKAMURA Kazuhiko will be promoted to succeed Director-General Akahori.

Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of economic affairs ONO Keiichi, who supported the historic G7 Hiroshima Summit as Sherpa and played active roles not only in the G7 and G20 but also in other wide-ranging areas, will belong to the Minister’s Secretariat.

Under a new group of officials, MOFA will continue to make all efforts to address a wide range of diplomatic issues.

That is all from me.

Mainichi Shimbun, Moriguchi: I would like to ask about the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) coming up next week. PALM will be held in Tokyo next week, and Prime Minister Kishida plans to hold meetings with the participating leaders. The PALM framework has continued for approximately 30 years, and Japan and the Pacific Islands Region share a long history together. Meanwhile, China, the U.S., and other countries are strengthening their engagement in the region. At the milestone tenth Leaders Meeting, how does Japan want to develop its relations with Pacific Island countries and strengthen the PALM framework?

In addition, the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea is expected to be on the agenda. Please tell us about how Japan will use this opportunity to obtain the understanding of the participating countries.

Minister Kamikawa: Japan and Pacific Island countries have been tackling common challenges through the nearly 30-year history of the PALM process. At the Interim Ministerial Meeting of PALM in February that I co-chaired, we confirmed the strength of our relations with trust based on shared values and principles, in addition to the “kizuna” that we have developed over many years.

At the tenth milestone Leaders Meeting, we will hold discussions based on the changes in international and regional affairs, building on the outcomes of the Interim Ministerial Meeting, and further strengthen our cooperative relationship in addition to our exiting “kizuna.”

At the PALM Ministerial Interim Meeting, Japan and Pacific Island countries acknowledged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as an authority of nuclear safety and concurred on the importance of response based on scientific evidence.

At PALM10, we will once again provide sincere explanations to Pacific Island countries based on scientific evidence, including results of monitoring to be conducted with continuous involvement of the IAEA, to increase reassurance.

Jiji Press, Murakami: I have a question about official development assistance (ODA). Today, you received a recommendations report from an advisory panel that debates private financing for ODA. On this occasion, you mentioned the possibility of amending the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Act. Based on the recommendations, how does the Government intend to review the system of ODA, especially including its coordination with sustainable finance? Thank you.

Minister Kamikawa: The recommendations presented the view that it is important to use ODA as a catalyst to form an “ecosystem” in which investment activities by private companies and others lead to the development of developing countries.

For example, specific measures were proposed, including providing assurances for projects in developing countries to enhance JICA’s risk-taking capabilities and purchasing of green bonds or social bonds issued by businesses in developing countries.

Based on the recommendations, MOFA will work closely with other relevant ministries and agencies in carrying out reviews aimed at fundamentally reforming ODA, including possible amendments to the JICA Act.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kamimura: I would like to ask about the incident in which a Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyer entered Chinese territorial waters. I am aware that an MSDF destroyer momentarily entered Chinese territorial waters off the coast of Zhejiang Province on the 4th of this month. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea allows for innocent passage even for warships. What is your assessment of the incident in light of the convention? In addition, while China has disclosed some details, please also tell us about what communication has taken place between Japan and China through diplomatic channels.

Minister Kamikawa: We are aware that the Ministry of Defense (MOD) and Self-Defense Forces (SDF) constantly carry out various activities, including surveillance activities in the sea and airspace surrounding Japan. However, I would like to refrain from answering the question as it concerns the SDF’s operation.

Kyodo News, Nishiyama: I would like to ask about the sexual related crimes involving U.S. military personnel in Okinawa. In response to the incidents in Okinawa, Ambassador to Japan Emanuel indicated that improvement measures will be announced by the time of the Japan-U.S. “2+2.” In Okinawa, on the other hand, a lack of discipline stands out. For example, on July 4, a 22-year-old U.S. Marine Corps personnel was arrested on suspicion of touching the breasts of a woman in her 20s over her clothes. The two did not know each other. Could you explain about the U.S. forces’ current measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents? In addition, how will the crime prevention measures mentioned by Ambassador Emanuel differ from previous measures? Please share with us what MOFA knows.

Minister Kamikawa: First of all, we take extremely seriously the fact that sexual related crimes have been committed one after another by U.S. military personnel, and my heart aches when I think of the victims. Since I am advocating for WPS as Foreign Minister, and personally, it is intolerable that such incidents have continued to occur.

MOFA has repeatedly called on the U.S. side. The day after the July 4 incident occurred that you are referring to, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Okano expressed once again extreme regret to Ambassador Emanuel over the recent prosecutions and arrests of U.S. military personnel for sexual related crimes in Okinawa. He also urged the U.S. side to strengthen discipline within U.S. Forces Japan and to take concrete and meaningful measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

Ambassador Emanuel responded that he is seriously concerned by recent allegations against U.S. military personnel and expressed deep regret for the anxiety they have caused local communities. The Ambassador stated that the U.S. is considering measures to improve the routine training and education of the U.S. forces and that it hopes to announce them by the time of the Japan-U.S. “2+2.”

Furthermore, Ambassador Emanuel and Commanding General Turner of III Marine Expeditionary Force co-authored an op-ed published yesterday, July 11, in which they expressed their deep regret and stated that they are taking concrete measures in the three areas of education, monitoring, and the unification of rules to improve training and education for U.S. military personnel stationed in Okinawa.

We are in various communication with the U.S. regarding measures to prevent the recurrence of these incidents. While I am unable to answer in detail at this time, we are continuing to coordinate with the U.S. to be able to disclose effective measures to prevent recurrences as quickly as possible.

Asahi Shimbun, Matsuyama: I have a follow-up question on the incidents involving U.S. military personnel. At the informal meeting of directors of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense of the House of Councillors on July 10, it was revealed that the U.S. did not report to either MOFA or MOD as per the reporting procedures for accidents involving U.S. military personnel in Okinawa, which are specified in the 1997 Japan-U.S. agreement. This may suggest that the reporting route is becoming a mere formality. How binding is the reporting route? Additionally, I heard that the Government has not protested with the U.S. for not reporting to Japan. Has the Government requested improvements from the U.S.? Furthermore, in the past press conferences, you and other officials have stated that they will refrain from disclosing the details of Japan-U.S. communication. Could you tell us about why the revelation was then made at the informal meeting of directors?

Minister Kamikawa: First, there was a question on the binding force of the reporting route. The Japan-U.S. Joint Committee agreement is a common understanding reached between both governments through consultations. Therefore, it is naturally expected that both governments will implement and use the reporting route and make interpretations in line with the agreement.

The Japan-U.S. Joint Committee agreement on reporting incidents and accidents involving the U.S. Forces Japan aims to ensure that, if an incident or accident occurs, information is shared appropriately between Japan and the U.S., and as a result, the Japanese authorities can respond swiftly and minimize the impact caused by the incident or accident on the local community.

After information is shared between Japan and the U.S., decisions on internal reporting within Japan are made based on the specific individual case, taking into account the aim of the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee agreement.

Based on that, we believe that a careful response is required in cases including this case in particular, where the privacy of the victim is concerned.

Several questions have been asked about the latest incidents. We do not believe there was any issue regarding the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee agreement, considering that MOFA conducted appropriate communication with the U.S. based on information provided by Japanese investigative authorities and that the Japanese authorities responded swiftly.

That being said, the communication MOFA conducted with the U.S. based on information provided by Japanese authorities is diplomatic communication, and therefore, we have refrained from responding about the details.

TV Asahi, Hirai: I would like to ask a question related to U.S. military personnel in Okinawa. When assault against women or other incidents by U.S. military personnel occurred in the past, I recall that, for some of them, the U.S. immediately took strong measures, including nighttime curfew. However, the U.S. response to the latest incidents, as far as the ones that have been disclosed so far are concerned, has been limited to contacting troops to enhance the “liberty policy,” conducting breathalyzer tests for drivers leaving facilities by car, and so forth. What is MOFA’s view on the need to take a stronger stance in urging the U.S. to implement recurrence prevention measures, so as to dispel the anxiety of local governments?

Minister Kamikawa: MOFA has repeatedly called on the U.S. side. On July 5, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Okano expressed once again extreme regret to Ambassador Emanuel over the recent prosecutions and arrests of U.S. military personnel for sexual related crimes in Okinawa, and urged the U.S. side to strengthen discipline within U.S. Forces Japan and to take concrete and meaningful measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

Ambassador Emanuel responded that he is seriously concerned by recent allegations against U.S. military personnel and expressed deep regret for the anxiety they have caused local communities. The Ambassador stated that the U.S. is considering measures to improve the routine training and education of the U.S. forces and that it hopes to announce them by the time of the Japan-U.S. “2+2.”

Furthermore, Ambassador Emanuel and Commanding General Turner of III Marine Expeditionary Force co-authored an op-ed published yesterday, July 11, in which they expressed their deep regret and stated that they are taking concrete measures in the three areas of education, monitoring, and the unification of rules to improve training and education for U.S. military personnel stationed in Okinawa.

We are in various communication with the U.S. regarding measures to prevent the recurrence of these incidents. While I am unable to answer in detail at this time, we will continue to coordinate with the U.S. to be able to disclose effective measures to prevent recurrences as quickly as possible.

NHK, Igarashi:My question is about the detainment of a Japanese national in Myanmar. In Myanmar, where the military holds power, a Japanese expatriate of a subsidiary of the major distributor AEON was detained last month for allegedly selling rice at prices higher than the controlled prices, and was indicted the other day. While the local Embassy of Japan is calling for his early release, there are concerns about a prolonged detention. Please share with us your thoughts and the Government’s response to this situation.

Minister Kamikawa: We understand that a Japanese man in his 50s, who has been detained by Myanmar authorities since June 30, was indicted on July 11.

The Government will continue to strongly urge local authorities to release the Japanese national as soon as possible. At the same time, to protect the Japanese national, we have been coordinating closely with his employer and providing support as much as possible, and will continue to take appropriate actions.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: Israel’s defense minister is on record threatening that Israel will destroy Lebanon back to the Stone Age. So, Lebanon that made great contributions to the human civilizations will be reduced to rubbles by Israel as it is together. Any comment on that? Thank you.

Minister Kamikawa: Japan is paying close attention to the heightening tensions between Israel and Hezbollah with concern. We have been urging Israel, Hezbollah, and others on the necessity to avoid further spillover of the conflict into the region.

We will continue to persistently and actively make diplomatic efforts toward calming down the situation as soon as possible and preventing spillover into the region.

Anadolu Agency, Mercan: In Western countries, there is growing support for Palestine’s bid for statehood, and it appears that many European countries are recognizing the Palestinian state. Japan’s Foreign Minister has declared understanding of Palestine’s aspirations for statehood. However, the international community questions whether the Government of Japan intends to recognize Palestine as a state. The official policy of the Government of Japan seems to support a “two-state solution” in the Middle East. If so, how come the Government of Japan does not take a step forward toward recognizing Palestine?

Minister Kamikawa: Japan is not in a position to comment on decisions made by other countries. Japan has supported a “two-state solution” through negotiations between the parties and understands the wish of the Palestinians to establish an independent state, and has supported Palestine’s efforts toward that.

That being said, Japan will continue to review comprehensively on its recognition of Palestine as a state, including the perspective of whether it can contribute to progress in the peace process.