Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: First, I extend my sympathies to all of those affected by the heavy rain in Ishikawa Prefecture, and I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the passing of the victims. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I’m aware that there are still missing persons. We are making all possible life-saving and rescue efforts and hope for the swiftest possible search and rescue operations.

After this, I will depart to attend the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York.

The international situation surrounding Japan becomes increasingly severe. We must not create a vacuum in Japanese diplomacy. The UN General Assembly is an opportunity for holding meetings and having intensive discussions with various foreign ministers in person. I will attend meetings, including the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the G4 Countries that discusses UN Security Council reform, and hold bilateral meetings with the respective foreign ministers.

Now, confidence in multilateralism, including the UN, is wavering. I recognize that strengthening cooperation with like-minded countries is an urgent issue. Japan has continued to conduct peace diplomacy for 80 years since the end of World War II. Based on this foundation, trust and high expectations are placed on Japan. At the Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the G4 Countries, we will steadfastly address UN reform, including Security Council reform, with next year being a major milestone, the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the UN. Furthermore, through the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I intend to have thorough discussions on regional and international affairs.

Next year is a highly commemorative year marking the 25th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), which I have been strongly advocating for. Japan has placed importance on the UN’s WPS Focal Points Network. Next year, Japan intends to exercise leadership within this network and host a WPS-related meeting.

On the occasion of my visit, I am also scheduled to hold a Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China. There are various challenges and issues of concern between the two countries, and I intend to thoroughly discuss on such challenges and issues of concern. The other day, a very tragic incident occurred in which a child attending a Japanese school in Shenzhen was attacked and passed away. I will be sure to raise these matters and strongly urge China to provide a thorough explanation of the facts and ensure the safety of Japanese nationals, especially children.

Additionally, with regard to the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea and the import restrictions of all aquatic products from Japan, the two sides will further deepen the discussion based on our shared recognition, and I will work to get the restrictions lifted.

Regarding the incident in Shenzhen, TSUGE Yoshifumi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs has been visiting Beijing since yesterday and is now holding meeting with Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China. He then plans to meet with Japanese nationals living in China.

There are now 12 Japanese schools in China. As an emergency measure, we have decided to allocate approximately 43 million yen from the currently available budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to strengthen the security of the schools. The budget will be allocated to enhance the security system of Japanese schools, including increasing the number of security personnel to provide robust security while children get on and off school buses, as well as security for children walking to school.

We will take this measure based on our approach of quickly doing everything we can. I have instructed officials to continue considering measures by fully taking into account local needs.

That is all from me.

Reporter: I believe you will be holding bilateral meetings with various foreign ministers at the UN General Assembly. What exactly do you plan to discuss?

Minister Kamikawa: The meetings will cover Japan’s diplomatic priorities. To deliver maximum results, I hope to conduct thorough discussions with various foreign ministers based on our personal relationship of trust, and achieve concrete outcomes.

I will attend the Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the G4 Countries on UN Security Council Reform, the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the Japan-Egypt-Jordan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. I also plan to hold the Japan-Iran Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. It is important to live up to the trust and expectations placed on Japan, backed by the achievements of its peace diplomacy over the 80 years since the end of World War II. I consider multilateralism centered on the UN as important for reforming the UN as a whole including the Security Council reform, and I will firmly demonstrate Japan’s commitment to multilateralism.

Furthermore, given the very severe regional and international situations, I intend to exchange views candidly with foreign ministers on such situations and work toward addressing them. Indeed, I aim to firmly demonstrate and establish a cooperative approach with like-minded countries and our ally.

Additionally, I intend to thoroughly discuss with Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China on the issues of concern between the two countries. In particular, regarding the incident in Shenzhen in which a young child passed away due to a crime. I will urge China to fully investigate and explain the cause of the incident, ensure the safety of Japanese nationals, especially children, and properly implement these measures.

Reporter: I have a question related to the Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Could you explain again about your approach for urging measures from China? Please explain again the actions that MOFA is taking in response to the incident in Shenzhen.

Minister Kamikawa: A very tragic incident took the life of a child attending Shenzhen Japanese School. Anxiety is spreading among the local Japanese schools and parents. There are 12 Japanese schools in China, and we recognize that this incident has a critically important impact on the safety and security of children in China. We are making various requests to China over this incident. We are strongly urging China to clarify and explain the facts as soon as possible. I will strongly reiterate this at the meeting.

Reporter: It is unusual that a candidate of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election travels abroad during the election. Please tell us the reason behind your decision to go.

Minister Kamikawa: I strongly believe we must not create a diplomatic vacuum. Especially now, the international situation is changing significantly. The UN General Assembly is an extremely important diplomatic opportunity in which ministers from many countries will participate. At this venue, I will work to consolidate our efforts and deliver results on the issues that Japanese diplomacy has been addressing.