Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: We will announce the outcomes of today’s Japan-Australia 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations separately, so I would like to take this opportunity to share mainly my impressions of my visit to Australia.

At the Japan-Australia “2+2” meeting, we confirmed the further deepening and expansion of concrete cooperation between Japan and Australia, which are in a security cooperation relationship second only to that of Japan and the U.S. I held “2+2” meetings with the U.S. and the Philippines in July, and with India last month. These initiatives are based simply on the belief that Japan needs to advance multi-layered cooperation with its ally and like-minded countries amid an increasingly complex international environment.

At today’s Japan-Australia “2+2” meeting, we held in-depth discussions from a strategic perspective on trilateral cooperation among Japan, Australia, and the U.S., as well as the nature of Japan-Australia collaboration, which is fit to be called the “central pillar of the coordination among like-minded countries,” including the promotion of cooperation with other like-minded countries in the region.

As such, this visit provided an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of Australia, a Special Strategic Partner, and that our two countries will strengthen their cooperation through developing multi-layered cooperation with our ally and like-minded countries into more effective and concrete cooperation.

At today’s consultations, we also confirmed that Japan and Australia would work together in engaging a wide range of partners for peace and stability in the region. Giving importance to the principle of the “rule of law,” I myself have promoted concrete cooperation with wide-ranging partners, including the so-called “Global South” countries, through opportunities such as my visits to Southeast Asian countries and the processes of the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) and the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). Sharing with the Australian side the experiences and insights gained from such efforts, we were able to deepen discussions on the concrete way forward for the two countries to play a leading role in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), as well as concur on the concrete direction to be taken on various issues.

I am pleased at the major outcomes of this visit. Going forward, we will continue to make unflagging efforts to elevate our bilateral security cooperation to a new level, while putting into action the numerous initiatives that we confirmed through these consultations.

After this press conference, I will be holding a working dinner with Foreign Minister Wong. I intend to further share our views with Foreign Minister Wong on the bilateral relationship and international affairs, including the Middle East and Ukraine, and promote coordination between the two countries.

Reporter: My question overlaps slightly with your opening remarks. Having completed the important Japan-Australia “2+2” meeting, and with a Foreign Ministers’ Meeting coming up, could you share with us your candid view on the significance of this visit to Australia?

I would also like to ask about political affairs. The presidential election of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will be officially announced in a week. What progress have you made in securing recommendations? In addition, are you feeling anxious about not being in Japan during this important time? Please tell us about if you have been phoning lawmakers while you are in Australia.

Minister Kamikawa: As I just stated, as the security environment surrounding Japan becomes increasingly severe, there is no time to wait for strengthening multi-layered security cooperation with our ally and like-minded countries. I have consistently adopted this approach as Foreign Minister.

Australia is a “Special Strategic Partner” with which we are working more closely to realize FOIP. Strengthening Japan-Australia cooperation is also critical for the security of Japan. This is reaffirmed every time we meet, and I intend to make utmost efforts to promote relevant measures.

I highly value the achievements made at the “2+2” meeting, recognizing that they will serve as an important foundation for elevating Japan-Australia cooperation to a higher level.

At the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting following this press conference, I intend to deepen the discussion with Foreign Minister Wong from a wide range of perspectives, including the bilateral relationship, international issues, and the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine.

I am fulfilling my duties as Foreign Minister without losing focus. I am now focusing on my upcoming working dinner with Foreign Minister Wong.

In Japan, I visited several lawmakers and conveyed my views. Now I am out of the country. Ever since leaving Japan, I have switched modes and have been devoted to my duties.

Reporter: If you would not mind, I have a follow-up question on the presidential election. Ever since you expressed your willingness to run in the LDP presidential election, you have completed important diplomatic activities, including the Japan-Australia “2+2” meeting today, the Japan-India “2+2” meeting, and the TICAD Ministerial Meeting.

In the second half of September, the United Nations General Assembly will be held in New York, during which time important diplomatic activities such as the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting are expected to be held. How do you intend to balance your preparations for the presidential election with focusing on your official duties as Foreign Minister?

Minister Kamikawa: Regarding your question, let me say that I am devoted to my duties as Foreign Minister. Please understand that I have been focused on carrying out my duties, including today’s meeting.

As you mentioned, I held “2+2” meetings with four countries in the last two months. In addition, on the occasion of the TICAD Ministerial Meeting, I held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of 33 countries. I have dealt with every country seriously and acted with full recognition of my duties as Japan’s Foreign Minister. In this sense, I intend to conduct diplomacy earnestly without cutting corners, and that is what I have been doing up to now. Let me state that the upcoming schedule is being arranged and is not decided at this time.

Reporter: My question is related to the presidential election. It is about your plans after completing your affairs here. There is not a lot of time left until the presidential election is officially announced. What are your plans for your return flight and after returning to Japan from Australia? Please also tell us about when and how you will formally announce your candidacy.

Minister Kamikawa: After completing my duties here and returning to Japan, I intend to fully prepare for the presidential election. My top task is to secure recommendations. I myself am keenly aware that it is important to confirm with each lawmaker that they will be my final 20 recommenders.

Given its importance, I will be meeting with them directly and confirming once again that they will be my recommenders. In this sense, I will not make the short period of time left an excuse for cutting corners. This is important work, and I will be moving forward step by step.