Press Conferences

Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have some announcements at the outset.

But before I get to them, let me say a few words about the general election. We received an extremely harsh judgment from the people. While accepting this result humbly and solemnly, in the face of Japan’s severe security environment, we intend to continue to firmly advance diplomacy to preserve peace in Japan and protect the lives and property of its citizens.

Let me now make three announcements.

First, the G7 finance ministers concurred on the details of the ERA loans for Ukraine at their meeting held on October 25, and a G7 Leaders’ Statement was issued welcoming this fact. Japan plans to extend 471.9 billion yen in yen loans.

Under this framework, the G7 will extend loans that will be repaid by “extraordinary revenues” stemming from the immobilization of Russian Sovereign Assets. It allows support for Ukraine to be provided without a financial burden on the citizens of the G7 members. The Government of Japan will make arrangements to disburse the funds as soon as possible.

Minister Iwaya: Second, the deteriorating situation in Syria since March 2011 results in a large number of refugees and evacuees. Furthermore, the worsening situation in the neighboring country of Lebanon since September of this year is rapidly deteriorating the humanitarian situation in Syria, with an influx of more than 420,000 Syrians and Lebanese into the country.

In light of this situation, Japan has decided to extend an Emergency Grant of USD 10 million to Syria through international organizations. We will continue to address the current situation in the Middle East, including improving the humanitarian situation, in collaboration with relevant countries.

Minister Iwaya: Third, on November 1, I will hold the first Japan-EU Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with Mr. Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission, who will visit Japan.

At the dialogue, we intend to candidly exchange views on the Japan-EU relationship and current international situation with a focus on cooperation in the security field. In addition, we will announce the Japan-EU Security and Defense Partnership, which is the first in the Indo-Pacific region, and will hold the exchange of instruments of ratification of the Japan-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA).

Through such initiatives, I intend to further deepen cooperation with the EU, a strategic partner of Japan.

That is all from me at the outset.

Kyodo News, Nishiyama: I would like to ask about general election of the House of Representatives. In your opening remarks, you referred to the election result. Considering the loss of a majority by the coalition between Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito, what are your thoughts about its impact on diplomacy?

Minister Iwaya: I consider that the election result must not impact diplomacy or security and the Government must ensure that it does not.

As you are aware, Japan now faces the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II. This makes continuity and stability essential to diplomacy and security.

We will continue to further advance building relations with like-minded or friendly countries with the Japan-U.S. Alliance as a cornerstone. We must achieve peace in Japan and stability in the region through both diplomatic and defense capabilities.

In diplomacy, it is important that appropriate responses are taken based on realistic national interests.

Asahi Shimbun, Satomi: Yesterday, the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Senior Officials’ Meeting was held, and the three countries confirmed their intention to strengthen future-oriented cooperation. Ministerial meetings have been held in the respective fields since this year’s Trilateral Summit. As the host country of the next Trilateral Summit, how do you view current trilateral cooperation and how would you like to develop it? That is my first question. Secondly, this framework by its very nature is easily affected by bilateral relations. There was a four-and-a-half-year interval until the recent Trilateral Summit. Please share with us your aspirations and vision for this framework.

Minister Iwaya: We believe it is meaningful to have a cooperation framework among these three countries which have a significant responsibility for the peace and prosperity of the region. We commend the progress of cooperative relations, including the holding of several Ministerial meetings since the revitalization of the Japan-China-ROK process at the Trilateral Summit this May.

The framework of the three countries focuses on advancing future-oriented cooperation. I understand that the three countries also concurred to further promote and strengthen the cooperation, and continue to discuss specific cooperation projects that benefit the three countries, in the senior officials’ meeting held yesterday.

At the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting that I will be hosting on a date to be decided, I look forward to holding a discussion that will further advance such future-oriented cooperation among the three countries.

NHK, Yonezu: It has been decided that the UNSC will hold an emergency meeting on October 30, local time, over the issue of the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia. It appears that North Korea and Russia have stepped up their cooperative relationship. Could you share your view on this issue and how the Government intends to address it?

Minister Iwaya: Regarding North Korea’s deployment of troops to Russia that you just noted, the Government of Japan is paying close attention to the situation with great concern, including the possibility of the troops becoming complicit in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Ukraine has requested the convening of a UNSC meeting to Switzerland, which has the UNSC presidency. In response to this, Japan, as a Council member, has conveyed to Switzerland that we support the holding of such a meeting.

For starters, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundations of the international order. We are seriously concerned about the recent moves to advance Russia-North Korea military cooperation, including this matter, which not only leads to further deterioration of the situation in Ukraine but also affects the security of the region surrounding Japan.

Japan will continue to gather and analyze relevant information, along with working closely with the international community to ensure the full implementation of relevant UNSC resolutions and to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: The situation in the Middle East has been escalating despite Japan’s repeated calls for restraint. The problem is Israel continues occupation of Palestinian, Lebanese, and Syrian territories. Japan supported all the UN resolutions to end the Israeli occupation, and the people in these occupied territories, the three countries, say they have the right to fight Israel for the liberation of the countries, the occupied land. So, would Japan support imposing global sanctions on Israel to end its occupation the same way Japan has applied sanctions against Russia?

Minister Iwaya: Japan is seriously concerned about the significantly rising tensions throughout the Middle East region. We strongly condemn any action that escalates the situation.

Needless to say, Japan has strongly urged all parties concerned, including Israel, to exercise maximum restraint and to calm the situation, as peace and stability in the Middle East region are extremely important. I held a telephone talk with Minister of Foreign Affairs Katz of Israel on October 9, and urged him directly on these points.

Japan has worked toward advancing the Middle East peace process. Japan will continue to engage in diplomatic efforts, based on its cooperation with the countries concerned in the region and as a member of both the G7 and the UNSC, toward calming the situation, realizing a two-state solution, and establishing medium to long-term peace and stability in the region.

Radio France, Nishimura: My question is about Paul Watson, the anti-whaling activist. As you know, anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been detained in Greenland for more than three months. Japan has requested his extradition. However, the Government of Denmark will repeatedly extend his detention as long as a decision is not made. Given this situation, Japan’s image is deteriorating overseas, particularly in France. President Macron has called for Watson’s release. How do you perceive this situation as Japan’s Foreign Minister? In light of the diplomatic risks, does Japan intend to consider terminating its extradition request for Watson? Please share your thoughts on this matter.

Minister Iwaya: The Government of Japan regards this matter involving Paul Watson as an issue of maritime law enforcement. Watson is charged with being an accomplice to offenses including assault and property damage. As has been indicated, he was detained not because of his anti-whaling stance or beliefs. Our request for his extradition through the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) is strictly based on his alleged complicity to offenses including assault and property damage. This case should be handled appropriately based on law and evidence, and we are making necessary appeals to the relevant countries and organizations accordingly.

We have seen reports that Paul Watson has recently requested asylum in France in a letter to President Macron of France. On our part, we will continue to make similar appeals to Denmark and France for the reasons I just mentioned.

Independent Web Journal, Hamamoto: I would like to follow up on the earlier question about the situation in Ukraine. There are reports that 3,000 North Korean soldiers moved to eastern Russia for training. The problem is that this is a result of Japan and other Western countries continuing to completely ignore Ukraine’s discrimination and genocide against Russian speakers for eight years since 2014, while providing excessive military support for Ukraine, displaying extreme hostility toward Russia, and imposing excessive sanctions against Russia. As a result, the ties between Russia and China and between Russia and North Korea have deepened. Japan is the only G7 member that shares borders with these three countries. Should a contingency arise simultaneously with these nations, all of which are nuclear-armed states, Japan, which revised its interpretation of the Constitution on the right of collective self-defense, would not remain unscathed. Do you intend to draw a line between yourself and the Kishida administration’s foreign policy and shift toward diplomacy that avoids war in East Asia? Thank you.

Minister Iwaya: The Government of Japan is seriously concerned about the situation, including the possibility of the North Korean troops deployed to Russia becoming complicit in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

We have confirmed reliable information that suggests North Korea has deployed troops to eastern Russia and they are engaging in military training. We are gathering and analyzing relevant information in cooperation with countries concerned including the U.S. and the ROK.

As I stated earlier, we consider that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is a clear violation of international law and an outrageous act that shakes the very foundations of the international order. We are concerned about the recent moves to advance military cooperation with North Korea, which leads to further deterioration of the situation in Ukraine.

You asked if we have any intention to change the foreign policy. We will continue to gather and analyze relevant information and work in close coordination with the international community to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible.

Japan Times, Tang: I would like to ask about the security partnership between Japan and the EU that you mentioned in your opening remarks. Could you explain in detail how the content of the agreement is different from the existing partnerships that Japan already has with the EU and NATO member states, respectively?

Minister Iwaya: Do you mean the Partnership Agreement between Japan and the EU?

Japan Times, Tang: Yes.

Minister Iwaya: The question was about the content of the Partnership Agreement.

The Agreement will serve as a legal basis for promoting cooperation on a wide range of matters, including global challenges, between Japan and the EU as well as its Member States which share values and principles, and for strengthening the strategic partnership between them into the future.

Following the recent completion of procedures on the EU side, the instruments of ratification will be exchanged on November 1, and the Agreement will enter into force on January 1 of next year.

In the face of an increasingly severe security environment, Japan and the EU will aim to further develop, deepen, and enhance cooperation and dialogue in all areas related to security and defense.

Specifically, it envisions cooperation in such areas as maritime security, space, cybersecurity, and hybrid threats including foreign information manipulation and interference.

We intend to reaffirm that the security of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is inseparable, and confirm that the next EU leadership will also continue to strengthen the EU’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific and sustain Japan-EU cooperation.

Asahi Shimbun, Satomi: My question is related to the one I asked earlier. I believe you responded that the security environment is increasingly complex and is severe. Given that there are various proposals, may I ask you once again to explain the significance of pursuing cooperative relations among Japan, China, and the ROK as neighboring countries?

Minister Iwaya: Japan, China, and the ROK are three great powers in East Asia. As you noted, there are various difficult issues among the three countries as well. There are also issues between Japan and the ROK.

Indeed, peace and stability in East Asia are extremely important not only for the respective countries but also for the entire region, and furthermore, for the peace and stability of the entire world. Therefore, it is necessary to overcome these issues of concern and build future-oriented cooperative relations. We will make efforts to continue building such future-oriented cooperative relations, both among the foreign ministers and the leaders of Japan, China, and the ROK.

Jiji Press, Murakami: I would like to ask about UNRWA. Yesterday, the Israeli Knesset adopted legislation that would prohibit UNRWA from operating in Israel by a majority vote. Seven countries, including Japan, had recently issued a statement opposing the legislation. I would like to ask about the impact of their adoption on the humanitarian situation in Palestine, as well as your future plans such as for urging Israel.

Minister Iwaya: I have seen reports about the Israeli Knesset’s adoption of legislation that would restrict the activities of UNRWA, as you just mentioned.

The Government of Japan expresses its grave concern over the legislation adopted by the Israeli Knesset that would severely restrict the activities of UNRWA.

We view that UNRWA plays an indispensable role in providing humanitarian assistance as well as health care and education to millions of Palestine refugees not only in the Gaza Strip but throughout the Middle East region.

It is extremely important to sustainably ensure these activities. On October 27, Japan released a Joint Foreign Ministers’ Statement together with Canada and other like-minded countries that expresses our grave concern over the legislation just mentioned.

Japan will continue to persistently make diplomatic efforts toward improving the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and calming the situation, including urging the Government of Israel.