Press Conferences

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

Today, on September 10, I held a telephone talk with newly appointed Foreign Minister Sybiha of Ukraine from 2:00 p.m. for 30 minutes. This call was realized in response to Minister Sybiha’s request to hold talks soon after he assumed office. I am extremely pleased that my new Ukrainian counterpart and I were able to have a solid conversation without delay following his inauguration.

My previous counterpart, former Foreign Minister Kuleba, and I shared various experiences together. For example, when I visited Kyiv this January, a Russian attack triggered an air raid alert in the city, and we held a joint press conference that was hastily moved to an underground shelter at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. During today’s telephone talk, I asked Minister Sybiha to pass on my appreciation to former Minister Kuleba.

I met Minister Sybiha when I paid a courtesy call on President Zelenskyy on the occasion of my visit to Kyiv. During today’s call, I expressed Japan’s determination to demonstrate unwavering solidarity with Ukraine, and conveyed that Japan’s policy of imposing severe sanctions on Russia and providing strong support to Ukraine remains unchanged.

I also stated to Minister Sybiha that my heart hurt to hear about Russia’s persisting heavy attack. Today’s call again strengthened my belief that Japan would continue to be with Ukraine.

Minister Sybiha again expressed his deep appreciation for Japan’s support to Ukraine, including in the areas of humanitarian assistance and recovery and reconstruction. Japan will continue to take responses standing with the people of Ukraine in order to stop Russia’s aggression and achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible, as well as for the sake of the people of Ukraine who are suffering from the devastation caused by this aggression.

That is all from me.

Kyodo News, Nishiyama: I would like to ask about an incident involving U.S. military personnel in Okinawa. On September 5, the Okinawa Prefectural Police referred a male U.S. Marine to prosecutors on suspicion of nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury, alleging that a woman in her 20s was sexually assaulted in northern Okinawa Island in late June. Could you share your thoughts on this incident and your assessment of the way information on this incident was being shared with Okinawa Prefecture?

In addition, please provide an update on the forum whose establishment was announced by the U.S. Forces Japan Command.

Minister Kamikawa: I understand that the incident you asked about is currently under investigation by investigative authorities.

That being said, as I have explained, in incidents of sexual related crimes committed by U.S. military personnel where investigative authorities do not actively disclose them to the public, we have launched a system in which information is provided to Okinawa Prefecture, to the extent possible, after the incident is disposed of by investigative authorities.

The incident in question will also be handled appropriately, taking into account the findings from the investigation and the disposition of the incident by investigative authorities.

As for the new forum you asked about, it is expected to serve as a venue for establishing concrete cooperation that benefits both Japan and the U.S. as well as local communities. We are currently coordinating with the U.S. side and local communities.

The specific process to be taken is still under discussion. The Government of Japan will fully cooperate to hold a constructive and meaningful forum.

Ryukyu Shimpo, Saito: I would like to ask a question related to the previous one. Apart from the forum, the U.S. unified the “liberty policy” in July of this year. Was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) notified or informed of this? If MOFA was notified or informed, could you please share the contents if you are aware of them? Secondly, if MOFA was not informed, I would like to ask how you plan to respond and whether MOFA will make any requests to the U.S. side.

Minister Kamikawa: Regarding your question on the “liberty policy”, I understand that the U.S. is continuing to review this policy, which was announced by the Commander of U.S. Forces Japan in July.

In any case, it is important that the series of measures announced by the U.S. to prevent the recurrence of these incidents, including the review of the “liberty policy”, are implemented with certainty and lead to the prevention of these incidents. We will continue to encourage the U.S. to do so.

Independent Web Journal, Hamamoto: I would like to ask about the Kishida administration’s diplomacy toward Russia. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) had improved Japan-Russia relations to a point where it could not be described as a hostile relationship, beginning with first LDP President and Prime Minister HATOYAMA Ichiro’s signing of the Joint Declaration of Japan and the USSR and restoration of diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union, and in recent years, former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo’s efforts to improve the relationship and conclude a peace treaty covering the Northern Territories issue. Ever since the Kishida administration came into power, however, Japan has unilaterally condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as an “unprovoked aggression.” It has completely ignored the context in which Russia was frustrated over the Government of Ukraine’s systemic human rights violations against Russian-speaking residents, which should be described as ethnic cleansing, and resorted to military intervention. Japan is now viewed as an adversary by Russia, and it seems that the diplomatic efforts made by the LDP over the years have come to naught. With military tensions rising in the Far East, not only with China and North Korea but also with Russia, what is your personal assessment of the Kishida-Kamikawa diplomacy that has worsened Japan’s diplomacy toward Russia?

Minister Kamikawa: Japan-Russia relations are in a severe situation. The current circumstances are due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and I believe the points you made are completely inapplicable.

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundation of the international order. Japan, in coordination with the international community, including the G7, has continued to impose severe sanctions on Russia and provide strong support to Ukraine in order to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible. Japan will continue to uphold this policy.

At the same time, for example, issues related to fishing and other economic activities as well as maritime safety need to be addressed by Japan and Russia as neighbors, and we will appropriately deal with them from the perspective of what is in Japan’s national interests in the overall diplomacy of our country. Regarding the Northern Territories issue, we will firmly maintain our policy of concluding a peace treaty through the resolution of the territorial issue.

NHK, Igarashi: I have a question related to the LDP presidential election that will be officially announced the day after tomorrow. Yesterday, a meeting among your supporters was held, and it was decided that a press conference to announce your candidacy will be held tomorrow if 20 recommendations are secured. Does this mean that you have already secured 20 recommendations? Please tell us about the facts. I would also like to ask what key policies you plan to present at the press conference of announcing your candidacy.

Minister Kamikawa: I would like to mention one thing before answering your question. This week, in fact, marks exactly one year since I assumed the office of Foreign Minister. In the face of an extremely severe international situation, the year flew by as I gave my all without losing focus as Foreign Minister.

Regarding your question, the recommenders are being confirmed one last time and finalized. I hope to hold a press conference to announce my candidacy tomorrow no matter what.

I believe my running for President itself is the first step toward creating a new LDP and a new Japan. Tomorrow, I would like to appeal for people to join me, the first female Prime Minister, in creating a “new landscape” we have never seen before.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kamimura: I would like to ask about the presidential election, too. Numerous candidates have announced that they are running, and there is now a slew of contenders. Although it is still before the official announcement, the candidates are effectively debating with each other. How do you view the current debate as a contender yourself?

Minister Kamikawa: I am of course closely following the lively debates unfolding among the other candidates.

I expect full-fledged debates to begin from here on. I myself will make utmost efforts to hold a press conference tomorrow to announce my candidacy and participate in this debate no matter what, and I intend to engage in vigorous discussions.