Press Conferences

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

First, I am aware that anxiety is rapidly spreading among Japanese nationals in China due to a very tragic incident that occurred in which the life of a child attending a Japanese school in Shenzhen was taken.

Concerning this incident, in New York, I myself strongly urged Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China directly to provide a swift explanation of the facts, to take concrete measures to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in China, and to ensure a crackdown on malicious anti-Japanese posts on social media.

In addition, the Government of Japan is giving diligent consideration to additional measures, intending to do everything it can with the highest priority on ensuring the safety of Japanese schools throughout China, and above all, the safety of children.

As part of this, we will arrange the trial implementation of a scheme that will allow Japanese nationals who feel anxious about living in China, particularly those who have been victims of crime, to receive necessary pro bono advice from lawyers working in China, should such Japanese nationals require any legal advice. The scheme will be implemented through our embassy and consulates-general in China.

The specifics will be worked through, with the aim of completing administrative considerations as soon as possible. We intend to be with Japanese nationals living in China who have unfortunately fallen victim to crime, and to make it possible for them to receive necessary support.

For further details, please ask working-level officials.

Minister Kamikawa: Second, on September 25, Taiwan announced the relaxation of import restriction measures on Japanese food products. Accordingly, all food products distributed in Japan can be exported to Taiwan.

This follows the significant deregulation in February 2022. While a certificate of origin must still be attached to all food products exported from Japan, fewer items will require the attachment of a radioactivity inspection report. We welcome this announcement as a further step toward the total lifting of regulations, and consider it as a positive development that will support the reconstruction of areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

We strongly expect that this decision by Taiwan will further deepen the economic and friendly relations between Japan and Taiwan.

Minister Kamikawa: Next is the third matter. With regard to the recent situation in Lebanon, Japan is strongly concerned about the escalation of tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, and deeply saddened by numerous civilian casualties, including women and children.

Regarding protecting Japanese nationals, the Government is working with a sense of urgency to ensure their safety. Currently, a Level 4 “Evacuate and avoid all travel” has been issued for all of Lebanon. We are confirming whether Japanese nationals are safe and are repeatedly urging them to leave the country while regular commercial flights are operating. The Government is making various considerations to be able to respond to any situation, including the evacuation of Japanese nationals, and will continue to take all possible measures.

Japan urges all parties to prevent civilian casualties, and calls for full implementation of relevant United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolutions, as well as to abide by international law, including international humanitarian law. At the same time, Japan strongly urges them to exercise the utmost restraint to avoid further escalation.

During my visit to New York, I had discussions on the response to the increasingly tense situation in the Middle East on various occasions. At the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, we concurred that it is required to stop the cycle of violence to prevent a broader regional conflict. I also exchanged our views with Foreign Ministers of Iran, Egypt, and Jordan, and we confirmed to work closely to prevent further escalation and calm down the situation in the Middle East region.

In addition, Japan, as a member of the G7, joined the joint statement on the situation in Lebanon issued yesterday by like-minded countries. Japan also calls for an immediate 21-day ceasefire across the Lebanon-Israel border and on all parties, including the Governments of Israel and Lebanon, to make earnest efforts toward a diplomatic settlement.

Japan will continue its diplomatic efforts in a persistent and proactive manner, while coordinating with G7 and relevant countries.

Minister Kamikawa: Lastly, fourth, it has been one year since I assumed the office of Minister for Foreign Affairs in September of last year. This is my 74th time giving a press conference here. Including the extraordinary press conferences, I have given more than 110 press conferences as Foreign Minister. I would like to thank the members of the press for their tremendous cooperation over the year.

I have worked with unwavering dedication to maintain and strengthen an international order based on the rule of law, where human dignity is protected, in order to lead the world to cooperation rather than division and confrontation. I have visited 44 countries and regions and held more than 150 meetings with world leaders.

The trust I have forged with various countries through my efforts serves, above all, as the basis of diplomacy. Founded on such trust, I have sought to strengthen security cooperation with our ally and like-minded countries and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the international community, such as the “rule of law” and a “world without nuclear weapons.” Global South countries are demonstrating significant presence as they gain tremendous “power.” I believe contributing to global issues through “co-creation” with these countries has contributed to protecting Japan’s national interests and enhancing Japan’s presence in the international community.

In order to contribute to solving the social issues facing the Global South while linking its vitality to Japan’s economic growth, I established the “Co-Creative Platform for Strengthening Economic Diplomacy,” and as part of this, we have appointed “officials in charge of cross-border economic affairs” at relevant diplomatic missions. Through such initiatives, I have put efforts into promoting collaboration between Japanese companies, including local SMEs with outstanding technologies, and third-country companies.

In conducting such diplomacy, I repeatedly witnessed firsthand the trust and significant expectations that Japan, as a peace-loving nation, has earned worldwide throughout the post-war era spanning approximately 80 years.

Trust and continuity are key to diplomacy. By passing on these achievements to young people of the next generation, and based on the trust forged with various countries and Japan’s initiatives, I will conduct diplomacy in view of Japan’s national interests, in a way that further evolves such trust and initiatives.

That is all from me.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kudo: MSDF destroyer JS SAZANAMI sailed through the Taiwan Strait on September 25. Has China reacted in any way through diplomatic channels? Furthermore, has the Government of Japan explained its intention or reason for the transit to China through diplomatic channels? Thank you.

Minister Kamikawa: The matter in question concerns the operations of the Self-Defense Forces, and I would like to refrain from answering.

Asahi Shimbun, Matsuyama: I would like to ask about the Japan-ROK Joint Committee on the Continental Shelf. Its sixth meeting will be held today. What discussions do you expect from the meeting?

In addition, during a February meeting of the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives, you stated that the Government “will take appropriate responses based on a comprehensive judgment of the circumstances, including renegotiation.” On what basis do you think a renegotiation is necessary? Do you still intend to call for the establishment of a median line as you mentioned in your February remarks?

Minister Kamikawa: I will refrain from answering based on speculation about the discussion that will take place at this meeting. That being said, I would like to state that the meeting is a forum for discussing matters related to the implementation of the agreement and is not a forum for discussing the future handling of the agreement.

Regarding the future handling of the agreement, Japan will take appropriate responses based on a comprehensive judgment of the circumstances.

Freelance, Nishinaka: Regarding the murder that occurred at a Japanese school in Shenzhen, China mentioned in your opening remark, the statement issued by the father has been made public on the internet. The child who passed away had a Japanese father and a Chinese mother. The father wrote in his statement, “We harbor no hatred toward either China or Japan.” “We are all the same human beings, regardless of nationality, even if our customs and cultures are different. We do not wish for this heinous crime to destroy the relationship between the two countries.” “Our only wish is that such tragedies never occur again and that we will contribute, even in a small way, to mutual understanding between Japan and China.” During your meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China, was there any discussion on the importance of mutual understanding between the citizens and governments of both countries, in addition to investigating the truth behind the incident and measures to strengthen the crackdown on social media? What diplomatic efforts do you believe are necessary to prevent any further escalation of hatred and conflict? Thank you.

Minister Kamikawa: First, while I am aware that such a message has been posted on the internet, the Government is not in a position to confirm the content of the message, including the identity of the person who posted it.

At the recent Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I strongly urged Foreign Minister Wang Yi that the Government of China take measures in response to the incident in Shenzhen, including clarifying the facts as soon as possible. I strongly urged that Japan and China, as neighboring countries, face head-on the issues that are hindering the exchanges we should be aiming toward, and make serious efforts to improve the situation.

Needless to say, mutual understanding between the citizens of both countries is key to evolving Japan-China relations. I have personally emphasized on various occasions, including the recent Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, that Japan-China relations are founded, above all, on exchanges between the people of both countries. I will continue to pursue this approach going forward.