Press Conferences

Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I just held a first telephone talk with U.S. Secretary of State Blinken. At the outset, Secretary Blinken offered his congratulations to me on my assumption of office. I expressed my sympathies on the damage caused by the Hurricane in the Southern U.S. I also stated that I would like to work closely together with Secretary Blinken to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance, which is stronger than ever.

In addition, I stated that I would like to further deepen cooperation as global partners to uphold and bolster the free and open international order based on the rule of law, amidst threats to the international order, including issues related to China, the situation regarding North Korea including the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, the situation in the Middle East and the situation in Ukraine.

Over the recent attack by Iran, I expressed my serious concern about the potential escalation into a full-fledged war in the Middle East, and my strong condemnation of such an escalation. On the Japan-U.S. Alliance, we concurred to implement cooperation to further strengthen deterrence and response capabilities, building on the outcomes of the Japan-U.S. “2+2” in July.

We also concurred to work closely together in the preservation and enhancement of the rules-based economic order in the Indo-Pacific region and economic security cooperation.

Furthermore, we agreed that the two countries will further develop networks of like-minded countries, including the G7, Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK), Japan-Australia-India-U.S. and Japan-U.S.-Philippines, and advance such cooperation with the Global South. The Japan-U.S. Alliance will continue to be the cornerstone of Japan’s diplomacy and security. I believe that today’s meeting was an important first step in building a relationship of trust with Secretary Blinken.

I intend to hold an in-person meeting with Secretary Blinken as soon as possible, and to further strengthen Japan-U.S. relations. That is all from me.

Reporter: During the telephone talk, did revising the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) or an Asian version of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) come up? If they did, what was conveyed by the Japanese side and how did the U.S. side respond? You also just mentioned an in-person meeting with Secretary Blinken. Could you share your thoughts on a specific potential timing, for example holding such a meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in November?

Minister Iwaya: Today, in my meeting with Secretary Blinken, we discussed strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance, building on the outcomes of the Japan-U.S. “2+2” in July, as I just explained. Nothing at all was said about the points you mentioned, such as the Japan-U.S. SOFA or an Asian version of NATO. As for the APEC meetings, we spoke positively about meeting then, if possible, but besides that timing, I would like to meet Secretary Blinken as soon as possible if the opportunity presents itself.

Reporter: In light of Iran’s large-scale attack on Israel, the Israeli side has hinted at a retaliation. Please share what, if anything, was said about concrete Japan-U.S. measures to break the chain of retaliation.

Minister Iwaya: As I just mentioned, over the recent attack by Iran, Secretary Blinken and I expressed serious concern about the potential, if things go badly, for the situation to escalate into a full-fledged war in the Middle East, and we concurred in our strong condemnation of such an escalation. We will strongly urge all parties concerned to calm down the situation. Furthermore, Japan will support U.S. efforts. In addition, the Government must take all possible measures to protect Japanese nationals abroad. Moreover, Japan will make all necessary diplomatic efforts in order to prevent the further deterioration of the situation in cooperation with the countries concerned, including the G7.