Press Conferences

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

I visited the ROK, the Philippines, and Palau, Japan’s important like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific, from January 13 to 16. As the security environment surrounding Japan becomes increasingly severe, it was highly significant that I was able to kick off my strategic overseas visits this year by confirming Japan’s cooperation with these countries.

Next week, at the invitation of the U.S. side, I will visit the U.S. from January 19 to 23 to attend the Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies of the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, to be held in Washington D.C.

As this visit to the U.S. will coincide with the inauguration of the incoming U.S. administration, I will first seize this opportunity to firmly build relationships of trust with the members of the incoming administration.

Moreover, I intend to candidly discuss with officials of the incoming administration, including the nominee for the Secretary of State whose meeting we are making arrangements for, and steadily communicate with the incoming administration to ensure that the upcoming Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting will be significant, based on the situation of the congressional confirmations in the U.S., and other matters.

If the meeting with the secretary nominee materializes, I will clearly relay to the incoming U.S. administration the situation the region is facing based on the outcomes of my recent visits, and the role that the Japan-U.S. Alliance should play in this context.

That is all from me at the outset.

Kyodo News, Sakaguchi: I would like to ask about your attendance at the Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies you mentioned in your opening remarks. You will become the first Japanese Cabinet member in history to attend the ceremonies. Please share your thoughts on receiving an invitation and your decision to attend. In addition, what historical significance do you attach to becoming the first Japanese Cabinet member in history to attend the ceremonies? You also mentioned a meeting with Secretary of State nominee Mr. Rubio. It is rumored that a Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held shortly after the Trump administration takes office. Please share with us your views on the significance of holding such a meeting, the Government of Japan’s objectives, and the importance of U.S. engagement in the realization of FOIP. Thank you.

Minister Iwaya: As you mentioned, I will indeed be attending the Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies as the first Japanese Foreign Minister to do so. While “historical significance” might be somewhat of an overstatement, I believe this reflects the incoming Trump administration’s attachment of importance to the U.S. relationship with Japan.

As I stated earlier, on this occasion, we hope to arrange various meetings, including a Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, based on the situation of the congressional confirmations in the U.S. If bilateral or multilateral foreign ministers’ meetings materialize, they will mark the start of the incoming U.S. administration’s foreign and security diplomacy. I expect that the meetings will send a clear message to the international community, and Japan, too, will make efforts to ensure that they do.

Furthermore, the Japan-U.S. relationship is a bilateral relationship that should be at the core of a FOIP based on the rule of law. In this regard, the two countries, as global partners, bear significant responsibilities toward the international community.

I intend to firmly share with the incoming U.S. administration our recognition that continuing to work hand in hand between Japan and the U.S. will significantly contribute to peace and stability not only in the two countries, but also in the entire region and international community.

Nikkei Shimbun, Baba: I would like to ask a follow-up question. You stated that meetings were being arranged with Secretary of State Rubio and other dignitaries of the incoming Trump administration during your visit to the U.S. next week. What will you explain to the incoming administration about Japan’s win-win contributions for both countries, such as the reinforcement of Japan’s defense capabilities, including an increased defense budget, and the enhancement of Japan’s investment in the U.S., with Japan becoming the world’s leading investor in the U.S.? How do you intend to explain this so that it leads to further bilateral cooperation?

Minister Iwaya: As I mentioned earlier, the Japan-U.S. Alliance remains the cornerstone of Japan’s foreign and security policy, and the framework has significant responsibilities toward the region and the international community.

Therefore, it benefits the world if the U.S. can demonstrate appropriate and forward-looking leadership in the international community. As its friend, Japan would like to call on the U.S. to demonstrate such leadership. At the same time, I intend to thoroughly explain and obtain the U.S.’s understanding of Japan’s contributions and efforts through reinforcing defense capabilities and investing in the U.S., as you just indicated.

As you are aware, under the National Security Strategy, we are steadily advancing toward the goal of allocating 2% of Japan’s GDP to reinforcing defense capabilities, including related expenditures, by 2027. In addition, as I mentioned on a recent NHK program I believe, Japan has been the leading investor in the U.S. over the past five years. I intend to fully explain such matters and obtain the U.S.’s understanding.

Furthermore, we aim to hold high-level meetings with the incoming administration as early as possible, including Prime Minister Ishiba’s meeting with President-elect Trump, and through such meetings, conduct candid discussions, build a strong relationship of trust and cooperation, and raise the Japan-U.S. Alliance to even greater heights.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Uemura: I would like to ask about your visit to Palau. I believe the Foreign Minister of Taiwan was also attending the inauguration ceremony of the Palauan President. Did you have contact with such high-level Taiwanese officials when you were in Palau? If so, please tell us what was discussed. Thank you.

Minister Iwaya: In Palau, as you mentioned, I attended the inauguration ceremony of President Whipps for his second term. On that occasion, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung of Taiwan was seated next to me. As such, we exchanged courteous greetings.

There were several thousand attendees at the ceremony. At events where many people are gathered together, it is very much natural to exchange greetings with other attendees. In particular, since Taiwan’s Foreign Minister was seated next to me, I exchanged greetings with the Foreign Minister.

Hokkaido Shimbun, Fujimoto: I would like to ask about Japan’s future diplomatic posture. You have been advancing vigorous diplomacy, including visiting countries such as the ROK and the Philippines until yesterday, as you mentioned at the outset. On January 20, you will attend the Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies. With a new U.S. administration coming in, I believe the Ishiba administration’s diplomatic capabilities will be tested even more this year. Based on Japan-U.S. relations and the situation around the world, what perspectives and objectives do you hope to pursue in conducting diplomacy going forward?

Minister Iwaya: Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues. On the situation in the Middle East, we welcome the agreement reached in principle in Gaza. Meanwhile, the international situation remains very much severe, including the deterioration of the security environment in East Asia. These historical shifts in the balance of power have increased the presence of the Global South.

In other words, we view that the international community is becoming increasingly diverse. Against this backdrop, the incoming Trump administration will take office next week, and various changes in the global situation are anticipated to take place this year.

Will the international community be able to overcome the current divisions and confrontations and head toward cooperation and reconciliation? Will the international community be able to uphold a free and open international order based on the “rule of law”? We are at a critical juncture where the international community is being tested.

Under these circumstances, we believe our diplomacy has an immense role to play, with Japan being a peace-loving nation that has consistently built trust since the end of World War II. What can be done to resolve each of the complex issues facing the international community? Keeping this foremost in mind, and with a strong determination that Japanese diplomacy will lead the world, I intend to actively promote “diplomacy based on dialogue and cooperation” through various diplomatic opportunities, including my visit to the U.S. next week.

Asahi Shimbun, Satomi: My question is slightly related to the question before last. I would like to specifically ask about the situation in the Middle East. Recently, Israel and Hamas agreed on a phased ceasefire and the release of hostages. However, there have continued to be casualties since then. First, please share your thoughts on the current situation. Secondly, as this is a phased ceasefire, a ceasefire and reconstruction are expected to take some time. Could you elaborate on how Japan will be involved in or support the implementation of the ceasefire and future reconstruction efforts?

Minister Iwaya: On the ceasefire agreement, I issued a statement yesterday. As it is stated in that statement, Japan welcomes that the agreement on the release of hostages and ceasefire regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip was reached by the parties concerned on January 15, local time. This agreement is an important step towards improving the humanitarian situation and calming the situation, which Japan has consistently called for, as it stipulates the halt of military operations, the release of hostages, the increase of humanitarian assistance activities, and other matters.

Japan appreciates the efforts of all parties involved, including the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, in achieving this agreement, and will urge the parties to implement the agreement steadily and in good faith to put an end to the unbearable suffering. Japan strongly hopes that this agreement will lead to the stabilization of the Israeli-Palestinian situation in the long term.

Thus, Japan, in close communication with the countries and international organizations concerned, will continue to engage with the international efforts concerning the improvement of the humanitarian situations, and the reconstruction and governance of Gaza. We will also redouble its diplomatic efforts towards achieving a two-state solution and establishing long-term peace and stability in the region.

Independent Web Journal, Hamamoto: My question is about U.S. President-elect Trump. He went so far as to say that many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st state of the U.S, and that owning Greenland is absolutely necessary for U.S. national security and the use of military or economic coercion to this end cannot be ruled out. In other words, President-elect Trump has indicated an intent to change the status quo by force. The U.S., other Western countries, along with the Government of Japan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have consistently condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as an attempt to change the status quo by force and a violation of international law. As such, it would seem that Japan should strongly protest President-elect Trump’s recent remarks as it did with Russia. Please share your opinion. Thank you.

Minister Iwaya: I am aware through media reports about the various remarks made by President-elect Trump which you referred to. However, I would like to refrain from commenting on each of them individually.

That being said, generally speaking, Japan’s basic stance is to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect the principles of the United Nations Charter, and work toward maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law. We will be cooperating with the incoming U.S. administration with this in mind.