Press Conferences

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

In response to North Korea’s October 31 launch of an ICBM-class ballistic missile, the G7 issued a statement today, November 5, strongly condemning the launch.

North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles even this morning. Such launches not only represent a clear violation of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolutions, but also threaten peace and security in Japan, the region, and also the international community, and they are absolutely unacceptable. Japan has already issued a severe protest through its embassy in Beijing.

Japan will continue to coordinate closely with the G7 members, as well as with the U.S. bilaterally and with the U.S. and the Republic of Korea (ROK) trilaterally, and fully address this matter in cooperation with the international community.

In addition, the U.S. presidential election will be held today, November 5, local time. The Government of Japan is closely following with great interest in the relevant developments.

The Japan-U.S. Alliance is the cornerstone of Japan’s foreign and security policy and is the foundation of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the international community. This will continue to remain unchanged.

We view that the importance of the Japan-U.S. Alliance is recognized across party lines in the U.S. as well. As global partners at the core of a free and open international order, the two countries will continue to further deepen their wide-ranging cooperation.

That is all from me at the outset.

Mainichi Shimbun, Odanaka: I would like to ask about the U.S. presidential election that you just referred to. Voting for the U.S. presidential election will begin today, and a close race is expected. There are two candidates, Mr. Trump and Ms. Harris. There is talk of Prime Minister Ishiba exploring the possibility of visiting the U.S. in the latter half of November, following his upcoming overseas visits, and holding a meeting with the incumbent President and the President-elect. Could you explain the current efforts by the Government to build relationships with the two people?

Next, I have a question about a domestic matter. The coalition government between the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito lost its majority in the House of Representatives election, and the two are projected to become minority ruling parties. Some have noted that this election result or Japan’s domestic situation may lead to a decline in Japan’s diplomatic power. You have consistently stated that Japan’s diplomacy must not be halted. What is your opinion on this suggestion that Japan’s diplomatic power will decline under the Ishiba administration?

Minister Iwaya: First, regarding the U.S. presidential election, we are closely following with great interest in the relevant developments, including the progress and the future impact. Although, as this concerns the internal affairs of another country, I would like to refrain from commenting on the details.

That being said, as I stated earlier, we view that the importance of the Japan-U.S. Alliance is recognized across party lines in the U.S. as well. Once the new president is decided, it would be desirable to make contact and hold high-level meetings, including at the summit level, as quickly as possible. However, the date has not been decided at this time, and I would like to refrain from making comments.

There was also a question on diplomatic capabilities. As I stated previously, stability and continuity are critical for diplomacy. I consider that the result of the general election must not impact Japan’s diplomacy or security and we need to make efforts to ensure that it does not.

Even without the election result, the security environment surrounding Japan is the severest it has been since the end of World War II, and the international situation is changing drastically moment by moment. For diplomacy and security, I believe it is important to build a broad consensus across ruling and opposition parties if possible, and we are committed to making such efforts.

We consider it important to ensure the implementation of stable, continuous foreign and security policy based on realistic national interests.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Kamimura: My question is about the activities of UNRWA. At the end of last month, the Israeli Knesset adopted the legislation that would prohibit the activities of UNRWA in Israel. On November 3, Israel notified the UN that it would dissolve its cooperative relationship with the agency. What are the thoughts of the Government of Japan, and how does it intend to deal with this matter?

Minister Iwaya: We are gravely concerned over the situation. We are aware that the Government of Israel officially notified the UN that Israel will revoke its exchanges of notes with UNRWA. The Government of Japan is extremely and gravely concerned over the legislation adopted by the Israeli Knesset that would severely restrict the activities of UNRWA.

Therefore, at the end of last month, Japan released a Joint Foreign Ministers’ Statement together with Canada and other like-minded countries that expresses our grave concern over the legislation. Additionally, I issued a Foreign Minister’s Statement on this matter, and expressed grave concern over the legislation.

We view that UNRWA plays an indispensable role in providing assistance to millions of Palestine refugees not only in the Gaza Strip but throughout the Middle East region. Japan will continue to make persistent diplomatic efforts, including urging the Government of Israel to maintain an environment for humanitarian assistance activities by UNRWA and other international organizations to be conducted continuously and sustainably.