Press Conferences

Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have an announcement at the outset.

It has become certain that Mr. Trump will be elected in the U.S. presidential election.

During his previous presidency, President-elect Trump made significant contributions to the advancement of Japan-U.S. relations.

Strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance is a top priority of the foreign and security policy of the Ishiba administration. As the security environment surrounding Japan and the international community becomes increasingly severe, the Japan-U.S. Alliance and cooperation between Japan and the U.S. as global partners are becoming ever more important.

The Government would like to build a strong relationship of trust and cooperation with the incoming U.S. administration, including with President-elect Trump. By doing so, we aim to bring the Japan-U.S. Alliance to new heights.

Yesterday morning, Prime Minister Ishiba held a telephone talk with President-elect Trump. We view that this marked a highly meaningful first step.

That is all from me.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kamimura: I have a question about President-elect Trump whom you just mentioned. Including under the Biden administration, Japan and the U.S. have promoted multilateral frameworks, including the Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) framework, the Quad, and the Japan-U.S.-Australia-Philippines framework. Some indicate that these multilateral frameworks may suffer setbacks under President Trump. Can you please tell us your thoughts and explain what role Japan intends to play in these multilateral frameworks?

Minister Iwaya: While the next president has been decided, the next U.S. administration has not yet been inaugurated. Therefore, I would like to refrain from speculating on the U.S. foreign policy that will be adopted by the new administration after it takes office.

In any case, there is no change in Japan’s intention to weave multi-layered and multi-tiered collaboration with like-minded countries, including among the G7, the Quad, and the Japan-U.S.-ROK and Japan-U.S.-Philippines frameworks. In line with this intention, we will maintain close communication with the incoming U.S. administration.

NHK, Yonezu: I have a question related to the U.S. presidential election. Prime Minister Ishiba described that his telephone conversation with Mr. Trump, who will be the next U.S. President, was friendly. What kind of a relationship do you think would be desirable going forward?

In addition, when do you think would be a desirable time to hold an in-person meeting? Could you please explain, including the possibility of holding such a meeting as part of the Prime Minister’s visit to Latin America?

Minister Iwaya: Prime Minister Ishiba and President-elect Trump held a telephone talk yesterday. I am aware that Prime Minister Ishiba commented that the conversation was outstandingly friendly. While I am not certain of the President-elect’s impression, I hope that a friendly relationship will be built between the two leaders.

As they concurred to meet at the earliest possible opportunity, the two sides are now coordinating to realize the meeting as early as possible.

Accordingly, I am unable to say when at this moment. We hope that an in-person meeting will be realized as early as possible to build mutual trust, which will lead to further deepening and developing of the Japan-U.S. Alliance.

Chugoku Shimbun, Miyano: In a vote on November 1 at the First Committee of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly that addresses nuclear disarmament, the Government of Japan voted against a resolution calling for the ratification of the TPNW. You have outrightly not denied the possibility of Japan’s observer participation in the TPNW. In such ways, the Ishiba administration has indicated a different posture from previous administrations. Against this backdrop, why did Japan maintain the precedent and vote against the resolution rather than voting for it or abstaining?

Minister Iwaya: The TPNW has been described as an exit to a “world without nuclear weapons.” However, as you are aware, not a single nuclear-armed state is participating in the Treaty. In this regard, a pathway to this “exit” has yet to be established.

In this context, Japan, as the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings, believes it has a role to play in engaging nuclear-weapon states to eliminate and prohibit nuclear weapons.

As the draft resolution in question called for immediate support of the Treaty, we voted against it based on our view I just mentioned.

In any case, Japan is surrounded by many nuclear-armed states, and nuclear capabilities are in fact increasing, with states beginning to utter nuclear threats. Under these circumstances, we will continue to explore and implement realistic and practical measures that are most appropriate to achieve a “world without nuclear weapons” while maintaining nuclear deterrence capabilities.

Nikkei Shimbun, Baba: I would like to ask about JICA’s information leakage incident. JICA has announced that it established an inquiry committee in response to the incident. Can you once again share your thoughts on this incident that has undermined trust in JICA, which handles ODA, a key component of Japan’s international cooperation? Could you also share your expectations for the committee’s activities and the responses that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will be taking?

Minister Iwaya: MOFA takes seriously the incident you just referred to in which a JICA personnel leaked confidential information about procurement procedures for the “Metro Rail Transit Line 3 Rehabilitation Project,” a yen loan for the Philippines.

JICA has recently established an inquiry committee for this incident. MOFA has strongly urged JICA to take measures to prevent recurrences. Through this inquiry committee, we expect JICA to make efforts to restore people’s trust in ODA.

MOFA intends to closely oversee the efforts made by JICA.

Hokkaido Shimbun, Matsushita: I would like to ask about support for Ukraine. The circumstances surrounding Ukraine are changing considerably, including the establishment of the incoming Trump administration in the U.S., which is perceived as being unenthusiastic about providing support, and North Korea’s deployment of troops to Russia. In particular, some note that if North Korea were to fully participate in the aggression against Ukraine, this would have a major impact on the East Asian region in terms of the situation on the Korean Peninsula. In this context, the ROK announced that it would gradually increase support for Ukraine. What is Japan’s current view on the need to expand support for Ukraine or to strengthen sanctions against Russia?

Minister Iwaya: First of all, I would like to refrain from speculating on how the new U.S. administration will address this matter.

That being said, we believe that the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia and military cooperation between Russia and North Korea are matters of serious concern, not only because they may lead to further deterioration of the situation in Ukraine, but also because they may impact security in the region surrounding Japan.

There is various information on the troops that have been deployed. We are also aware of President Zelenskyy’s remarks. However, we have not officially confirmed them. We are closely following the situation with very serious concern, including the possibility of the North Korean troops becoming complicit in the aggression against Ukraine.

Needless to say, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundations of the international order. With the strong concerns that the security of Europe and Indo-Pacific is inseparable, Japan will make efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible. To this end, we will continue to steadfastly implement support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: There are some reports quoting Mr. Nakashima Yoichi, the ambassador for Palestinian affairs and representative of Japan to Palestine stating that Japan is planning or studying a possibility to recognize the state of Palestine. This long-due recognition comes very well with the polices Japan has been taking in support of the Palestinian rights and supporting them economically.
Could you please confirm when the recognition of the Palestinian as a state is planned and if not, what are the reasons?

Minister Iwaya: Japan has supported a “two-state solution” through negotiations between the parties. We understand the wish of the Palestinians to establish an independent state, and have supported Palestine’s efforts toward that.

We believe a decision on the recognition of Palestine as a state must fully take into account the perspective of whether it can contribute to progress in the peace process. Japan will be considering the timing for the recognition and other details as we make utmost efforts to ensure that the peace process moves forward.

Freelance, Nishinaka: Last month, the UN’s CEDAW recommended the Government of Japan to punish perpetrators of the series of sexual violence committed by U.S. military personnel in Okinawa and provide reparations to survivors. In addition, regarding the issue of comfort women involving the Imperial Japanese Army, CEDAW stated that the matter was unresolved and recommended Japan to sustain and expand efforts to ensure the rights of victims/survivors. This was the first time that CEDAW made a recommendation on U.S. military personnel in Okinawa. It entails major measures, such as reviewing the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. As for the issue of comfort women, the victims/survivors are not only ROK nationals but include people of various nationalities. I believe the UN’s position is that the issue is unresolved under the 2015 agreement between Japan and the ROK. What are the Government of Japan’s thoughts on these two recommendations? What measures does it consider to be necessary? Please share with us your current views.

Minister Iwaya:Regarding the concluding observations including the recommendations of CEDAW, published on October 29, Japan will thoroughly consider the recommendations and will address this appropriately as necessary.

That being said, regarding the recommendation on sexual related crimes involving U.S. military personnel in Okinawa, needless to say such crimes are unacceptable. The Government takes very seriously the repeated occurrence of such incidents.

The U.S. has announced and carried out a series of measures to prevent the recurrence of the incidents, and it is important that the measures actually lead to the prevention of recurrence. We will continue to urge the U.S. to strengthen discipline within U.S. Forces Japan and to thoroughly prevent the recurrence of the incidents.

Regarding the recommendation on the comfort women issue, it is the basic view of the Government that it is not appropriate to raise the issue of comfort women in the report on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, as the Convention does not apply retroactively to any issues that occurred prior to Japan’s conclusion thereof.

During the review of the ninth periodic report of Japan conducted on October 17, the Japanese delegation responded to CEDAW’s questions on the comfort women issue, and carefully and sincerely explained Japan’s view and efforts related to the issue.

Various efforts were explained, including efforts that were made under “the Reconciliation and Healing Foundation” based on reconciliation when Mr. Kishida was Foreign Minister.

The Government will make continued efforts to thoroughly explain to the international community, including CEDAW, Japan’s view and measures related to the comfort women issue and to ensure a correct understanding.

Freelance, Nishinaka: If I may ask another question about a different matter. From October 23 to November 1, the “Keen Sword 25” Japan-U.S. joint integrated military exercise was conducted throughout Japan, including the Southwest Islands of Okinawa. The exercise was the largest of its kind in history, with observer participation not only from Australia and Canada but also from 13 NATO countries. In response, on October 26, during the exercise, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement to the effect that the exercise is a “hostile act by the U.S. and its allies and a threat and a grave provocation to the security of the region.” This has also been reported by Reuters.

In the meantime, large-scale integrated exercises with the U.S. forces have continued in Japan and the ROK, which has tended to be a major reason for North Korea’s missile development and nuclear tests, and North Korea issued a statement condemning the training while it was in progress. Does the Government have any plans to review the format of Keen Sword’s military exercises that are conducted in a vast area? Many people, including people in Okinawa Prefecture, are concerned that they could lead to more intense military confrontations. What is your view on this? Thank you.

Minister Iwaya: We are aware of North Korea’s statement that you referred to. However, I should note first and foremost that North Korea’s repeated launches of missiles, including launches of missiles in violation of UN Security Council Resolutions, and nuclear development pose a serious threat not only to Japan but also to peace and security in the region.

North Korea’s nuclear and missile development represents, as I just stated, a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolutions and threatens peace and security in the international community. Therefore, we do not consider it appropriate to equate such acts with the training conducted by Japan, the U.S., the ROK, and others, which presents no issues under international law.

During the Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ telephone meeting on October 31, we strongly condemned the ICBM-class ballistic missile launch by North Korea and reaffirmed that the three countries would continue to work closely together.

As the security environment surrounding the region becomes increasingly severe, we view that cooperation among like-minded countries, including Japan, the U.S., and the ROK, has become more important than ever, and we will continue to work closely together.