Press Conferences

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

From next Monday, January 13, I will visit three cities: Seoul, the ROK; Manila, the Philippines; and Melekeok, Palau.

In the ROK, through a meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and other events, I intend to affirm that we will continue to work closely together bilaterally and trilaterally among Japan, the ROK, and the U.S., including on policies toward North Korea, in light of the current strategic environment. I will also intend to confirm to promote events related to the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-ROK relations on both sides, looking ahead to the future of the people of Japan and the ROK and of Japan-ROK relations.

In the Philippines, through a meeting with Secretary for Foreign Affairs Manalo and other events, I intend to confirm our bilateral cooperation in the areas of security and the economy. In addition, I hope to confirm our collaboration for maintaining and strengthening the trilateral cooperation among Japan, the U.S., and the Philippines to ensure that we can further work together in addressing regional and international situations.

In Palau, I will attend the inauguration ceremony of President Whipps for his second term. Through a courtesy call on the President and other events, I hope to strengthen the “tokubetsu” relationship with Palau, Japan’s key partner, toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).” I understand that the word “tokubetsu” has entered the Palauan lexicon.

Furthermore, I plan to hold meetings with dignitaries from Pacific Island countries who are expected to attend the inauguration ceremony and follow up on the Tenth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) that was held last July.

Minister Iwaya: Next, Japan served as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for two years from 2023 to 2024. It was the 12th time, the most among the United Nations (UN) Member States. I issued a summary statement of the term earlier.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the UN. Even after the end of its term as a non-permanent member, Japan will continue to advance multilateral diplomacy with the UN at its core, and make a proactive contribution to realizing and maintaining international peace and security, with a view to leading the increasingly divided and confrontational international community toward cooperation.

Minister Iwaya: My third announcement is about personnel matters.

The personnel decisions related to senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) were approved during today’s Cabinet meeting. Information will be distributed shortly. The announcements will be effective as of January 17.

Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs OKANO Masataka will step down. As the head of the group of officials for about a year and a half from August 2023, he has demonstrated calm and strong leadership in both policy and management amid a turbulent international situation. I would like to express my gratitude for his services. I understand that he will assume the position of Secretary General of National Security Secretariat as of January 20. I expect that he will make even greater contributions by leveraging his wide-ranging experience in the fields of diplomacy and security, including his prior roles as Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary and Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Secretariat.

Vice-Minister Okano will be succeeded by Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of state affairs FUNAKOSHI Takehiro, who will be succeeded by Director-General NAMAZU Hiroyuki of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau. Director-General KANAI Masaaki of the International Legal Affairs Bureau will be appointed Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau.

Accordingly, Director-General NAKAMURA Kazuhiko of Global Issues will be appointed Director-General of the International Legal Affairs Bureau, and he will be succeeded by Director-General NAKAMURA Ryo of the Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department. Deputy Director-General/ Deputy Assistant Minister MIYAMOTO Shingo of the Minister’s Secretariat will be appointed Director-General of the Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department.

Under the new group of officials, MOFA will continue to exert all efforts to address a wide range of diplomatic issues.

That is all from me at the outset.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Uemura: First, I would like to ask about your ROK visit. The ROK’s internal affairs are currently in a state of turmoil. What significance or meaning do you see in visiting the ROK at this time? Thank you.

Minister Iwaya: The ROK is an important neighbor which we should work together and cooperate with to address the various challenges facing the international community.

Japan will continue to pay close attention to the internal developments in the ROK with serious concern. The importance of the Japan-ROK relationship remains unchanged in the current strategic environment.

As such, during this visit, through a meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and other events, I intend to affirm that we will continue to work closely together bilaterally and trilaterally among Japan, the ROK, and the U.S., including on policies toward the DPRK. As I stated at the outset, this year is the milestone year marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-ROK relations, and I intend to confirm that the commemorative projects will be carried out as scheduled.

U.S. Secretary of State Blinken also visited the ROK recently. I understand that the two sides confirmed the importance of U.S.-ROK relations and Japan-U.S.-ROK relations and their intention to fully maintain these ties. This was also conveyed to me at the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Through my visit to the ROK, I will seek to deliver outcomes based on a similar recognition.

Kyodo News, Sakaguchi: I have a question about President-elect Trump of the U.S. Some U.S. media outlets have reported that Mr. Trump may declare a state of emergency in order to impose uniform tariffs on imports from around the world. It is also thought that the U.S. may promote an increasingly protectionist trade policy. What will Japan be calling for in response? In addition, there are also observations that the yen’s depreciation and the dollar’s appreciation may accelerate further. Please tell us your outlook on the impact on the Japanese economy.

Minister Iwaya: I am aware of the reports you just referred to. At this stage, however, the Government would like to refrain from making comments based on speculation about the policies of the incoming U.S. administration after it takes office and their impacts.

In any case, we consider that the actions of the U.S., which has a significant influence on the world economy, will have critical impact not only on Japan but also on the entire international community. Therefore, we will continue to closely follow the developments with great interest.

The Government of Japan will strive to maintain close communication with the incoming Trump administration, based on our fundamental recognition of further deepening and developing Japan-U.S. economic relations.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Uemura: I would also like to ask about your visit to the Philippines. I believe Japan and the Philippines are at odds with or in confrontation with China in the South China Sea. Could you tell us how Japan and the Philippines need to cooperate over the South China Sea dispute for maritime stability? Thank you.

Minister Iwaya: The situation in the South China Sea has direct implications for regional peace and stability, and is a matter of concern to the international community. Japan highly appreciates the Philippines’ consistent compliance with the Arbitral Tribunal’s award and demonstration of commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea.

Thus, on my visit to the Philippines, I will affirm to further strengthen security and economic cooperation towards achieving FOIP through a meeting with Foreign Secretary Manalo and other events.

In addition, I will also confirm our intention to maintain the momentum of Japan-U.S.-Philippines cooperation.

Kyodo News, Sakaguchi: I have a question on your overseas visit. It is about the ROK more than about a particular topic. I have heard that you have a close relationship with the ROK, including over your career as a legislator. I would be grateful if you could share any thoughts or sentiments you have on paying your first visit to the ROK as Foreign Minister.

Minister Iwaya: I had not been deeply involved in Japan-ROK relations throughout my legislative career. However, when I was Minister of Defense, Japan-ROK relations were quite strained, and I made efforts to advance various security cooperation initiatives, at least.

I have also had opportunities to meet with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul the most of any foreign minister and have held telephone talks with the minister. I hope to visit the ROK in person and hear about the local situation, while at the same time, as I mentioned earlier, affirming with the Foreign Minister that we will work together bilaterally and trilaterally with the U.S. Furthermore, despite the current circumstances, we intend to make the efforts to steadily implement the 60th-anniversary commemorative projects and firmly maintain the friendship and goodwill between the two countries.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Uemura: I would also like to ask a question on Palau. What is your view on the geographical importance of Palau among the Pacific Island countries? Additionally, the re-elected President was one of the first to express support for Japan over the ALPS treated water issue. How do you view and assess Palau’s diplomatic posture toward Japan? Thank you.

Minister Iwaya: As you just stated, we consider Palau to be an important country for Japan, both geographically and strategically.

Furthermore, Palau shares values and principles with Japan, and is a vital partner from the perspective of realizing FOIP.

As you just touched upon, President Whipps, who is entering his second term, visited Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in 2023 and was one of the first to express confidence in Japan’s efforts on the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea. In addition, he has visited Japan five times since taking office in 2021. Japan highly appreciates and welcomes the President’s attachment of importance to Japan.

In light of Palau’s importance, through this visit I hope to further enhance the special “tokubetsu” relationship between the two countries that I mentioned earlier.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Uemura: I have one last question. I would like to ask for your reflection on Japan’s two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UNSC that you spoke about in your opening remarks. These two years continued to see very challenging situations, including responding to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Comparing being a non-permanent member and not, how would the benefits, experiences, and networks that Japan gained have been different in your opinion?

Minister Iwaya: By serving as a Security Council member, Japan can become involved in key decision-making processes on various issues related to maintaining international peace and security. I believe this makes it easier to appropriately reflect Japan’s arguments in such decisions. Moreover, there is the advantage of being able to obtain information on these issues more easily.

Through expressing the positions of member states in the Security Council, it can sometimes influence international opinion or the positions of member states not in the Security Council.

As you indicated, an array of issues arose during the term. I believe it was highly meaningful that Japan was able to take proactive steps and clearly convey its position at various fora regarding the situations in Ukraine, the Middle East, and North Korea.

Even after the end of its term as a non-permanent member, Japan will continue to make a proactive contribution to leading the increasingly divided and confrontational international community toward cooperation and reconciliation.