Press Conferences

Mr. KITAMURA Toshihiro, Press Secretary: I do not have any new announcements at the outset.

One thing I will state is that although campaigns in the general election of the House of Representatives is underway, during this time there is also much diplomatic activity being conducted.

This week, on Monday, October 21, Foreign Minister Iwaya held telephone talks with foreign ministers of Iran, EU, and Cambodia, and with those of Viet Nam and the Philippines yesterday, Tuesday. In addition, yesterday, Minister Iwaya received a courtesy call by an Australian parliamentary delegation during their visit to Japan under the Japan-Australia Political Exchange Program.

Moreover, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuge attended the G7 Development Ministers’ Meeting, and Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Fukazawa attended the Japan-Spain Symposium. At the working-level, the Japan-India-Republic of Korea (ROK) Trilateral Policy Planning Dialogue and the Japan-Malaysia Vice-Ministerial Consultation were held.

Furthermore, today, following this press conference, the Japan-China High-Level Consultation on Maritime Affairs will also be held.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), which governs diplomacy, intends to continue carrying out diplomacy solidly and steadily.

That is all from me at the outset.

Hong Kong Phoenix TV, Li: Yesterday evening, Prime Minister Ishiba said that “Taiwan is a state” in a campaign speech. How does MOFA perceive this remark? Does MOFA consider Taiwan as a state? Please tell us about whether Japan’s position on Taiwan has changed.

Press Secretary Kitamura: I understand that the remark you refer to was made by Prime Minister Ishiba when exemplifying on Taiwan’s disaster response during his campaign speech in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture yesterday.

In any case, the Government of Japan’s position on Taiwan is based on the Joint Communique of the Government of Japan and the Government of China issued in 1972. Japan’s basic position is to maintain Japan-Taiwan relations as a working relationship on a non-governmental basis, and there is no change in this position.

Hong Kong Phoenix TV, Li: So does that mean he made a mistake?

Press Secretary Kitamura: I think that is not for me to answer the question. The Government of Japan’s position is as I just stated.

Hong Kong Phoenix TV, Li: I have one more question. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) top advisor Aso also recently said that “Taiwan is a state.” Some LDP members have also said that “a Taiwan contingency would be a contingency for Japan.” What is MOFA’s view on this idea?

Press Secretary Kitamura: To reiterate, Japan’s position on Taiwan is as I repeatedly mentioned earlier.

It is the long-standing position of Japan to expect that the issue surrounding Taiwan will be resolved peacefully by dialogue.

The peace and stability over the Taiwan Strait is very important, not only for Japan’s security but also for the peace and safety of the international community. Therefore, we have directly conveyed Japan’s position to China, on the occasion of the recent Japan-China Summit Meeting held in Laos and during the Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk, prior to the summit meeting.

NHK, Tanii: The National Intelligence Service (NIS) of ROK recently announced that approximately 1,500 North Korean special forces were transferred from North Korea to Russian Far East. The NIS also speculates that they will be sent to the front lines in Ukraine. Please tell us about MOFA’s opinion and reaction to this?

Press Secretary Kitamura: We are aware of the announcement by the NIS of ROK you are referring to.

We are also aware that there is speculation that they may be sent to the front lines in Ukraine, through the reports. The Government of Japan would like to refrain from answering about these matters at this time. Japan has been striving to gather and analyze information with serious interest on the situation surrounding North Korea, including Russia-North Korea military cooperation, while closely communicating with ROK and relevant countries.

I will again state Japan’s basic position here. Japan is seriously concerned about the recent moves to advance Russia-North Korea military cooperation which not only leads to further deterioration of the situation in Ukraine but also affects the security of the region surrounding Japan.

Moreover, in the first place, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundations of the international order. Japan has made efforts on this issue with the strong concerns that the security of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is inseparable.

Japan will continue to gather and analyze relevant information, and will work closely with the international community to ensure the full implementation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible.

TV Asahi, Iida: There are some reports that the EU Council has made a final decision on concluding a security and defence partnership between Japan and the EU. There are also reports that High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Borrell will visit Japan in early November and meet with Minister Iwaya. Is this true, and if so, what is the aim of this?

Press Secretary Kitamura: We are aware of the reports you are referring to.

As I stated at the outset, Foreign Minister Iwaya held a telephone talk with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Borrell, who has also been serving as Vice-President of the European Commission. Regarding High Representative Borrell’s visit to Japan, nothing has been decided at this time.

That being said, I would like to touch upon Japan-EU relations.

Japan and the EU are strategic partners that uphold a free and open international order based on the rule of law, and to address together common challenges that the international community is facing. At the Japan-EU Summit held last year, the two sides concurred to enhance a wide range of cooperation including in security through a Strategic Dialogue at foreign ministerial level, and to develop the security and defence partnership. However, the concrete methods for that are currently under coordination.