Press Conferences

Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I visited the Republic of Korea (ROK) as the first destination country in 2025. Following the ROK, I will visit the Philippines and Palau. The ROK, the Philippines, and Palau, are allies and like-minded countries of the U.S. As the security environment surrounding Japan becomes increasingly severe, I believe cooperation with these countries is extremely important from a strategic perspective. Furthermore, if circumstances permit, I am planning to visit the U.S. next week. During the visit, I intend to hold the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting based on the situation of the congressional confirmations in the U.S. Building on my visit to the ROK, the Philippines, and Palau, I consider that I will be able to have a significant exchange of views with the U.S.

Through this visit to the ROK since yesterday, I believe I was able to make a great start in advancing such strategic diplomacy. During my visit to the ROK, I affirmed 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, considering the current strategic environment, through a series of meetings, such as the meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul yesterday. I also reaffirmed the importance of enhancing deterrence and response capabilities and contributing to peace and stability in the region. It is in Japan’s national interest to maintain such a relationship. I intend to continue to closely communicate and to discuss various challenges with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul. That is all from me at the outset.

Reporter: Having concluded your scheduled itinerary in the ROK, please share your thoughts with us. What is your view now about the importance of holding in-person meetings between Japanese and ROK high-level officials? In addition, what kind of message do you believe your in-person meetings could send to the people of both countries?

Minister Iwaya: While I had held in-person meetings and telephone talks with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul several times, it was extremely meaningful to visit the ROK and hold these discussions in person amid the current situation. I believe we were able to send a clear message, both domestically and internationally, that Japan-ROK relations remain important and are in fact becoming ever more important. I visited the ROK for this purpose, and I believe I was able to achieve it.

Additionally, at yesterday’s Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, we shared the view that we need to work closely together between Japan and the ROK, as well as among Japan, the U.S., and the ROK. Furthermore, as this is a milestone, the commemorative year of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of relations with the ROK, we concurred to further support people-to-people exchange, especially among the younger generation who will build the future of Japan-ROK relations. It is important that this is carried through, and the two sides will make full efforts to this end.

Reporter: You mentioned earlier that, during your visit to the ROK, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of working together trilaterally among Japan, the U.S., and the ROK. I believe you are also looking into holding a meeting with Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio during your visit to the U.S. next week. What will Japan be urging the U.S. side to ensure that the three countries can continue to work together under the incoming Trump administration? In addition, I believe a Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is being arranged to coincide with the Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies. Please share with us your thoughts on minilateral cooperation under the Trump administration?

Minister Iwaya: There is no doubt that the Japan-U.S. Alliance is vital for the region and the entire international community. Therefore, the minilateral frameworks that Japan and the U.S. have built together, including the Japan-ROK-U.S., the Japan-U.S.-Philippines, and the Quad, are likewise very important. Accordingly, during my visit to the U.S., while it also depends on the situation of the U.S. congressional confirmations, I hope to hold a Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and other meetings, and confirm the importance of such cooperation. Through these efforts, we remain intent on striving to build relationships in which Japan and its partners can work together to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Reporter: Earlier today, you paid a courtesy call on Acting President Choi Sang-mok of the ROK. What did the Acting President explain about the current domestic affairs in the ROK? Additionally, the DPRK just launched missiles again. It remains the case that the ROK’s internal situation could impact the regional security environment, including the DPRK’s enhanced military cooperation with Russia. What are your thoughts on this situation, and how do you intend to ensure the security environment going forward?

Minister Iwaya: Acting President Choi explained about the recent domestic affairs of the ROK. While I would like to refrain from disclosing the details, he explained that the ROK Government is striving to implement policies in a stable manner under the ROK constitution and the law. Although my visit was brief, I was able to see for myself that state affairs are being conducted in a stable manner. That being said, Acting President Choi and I concurred on ensuring close communication between the Japanese and ROK Governments and further developing Japan-ROK relations for the future.

This morning, the DPRKconducted missile launches once again. The recent developments surrounding the DPRKand the developments on Russia-the DPRKcooperation were raised on various occasions. Such acts pose a threat to regional peace and stability, reminding me once again that bilateral cooperation and coordination between Japan and the ROK and trilateral one among Japan, the U.S., and the ROK are necessary to address these threats.

Reporter: Could you once again share your thoughts on this morning’s projectile launches by the DPRK? the DPRK also launched a ballistic missile during U.S. Secretary of State Blinken’s recent visit to the ROK. Today, the DPRK took this action just as you visited the ROK, held meetings with high-level officials and confirmed the strengthening of Japan-ROK cooperation. Please tell us your candid opinion on this.

Minister Iwaya: We are not in a position to comment on the DPRK’s intentions or objectives. In any case, the DPRK’s nuclear and missile development is a violation of United Nations resolutions and poses a threat to regional peace and security, which is absolutely unacceptable. The details of this morning’s missiles are being carefully analyzed in Tokyo as well. Japan will continue to work closely with the ROK, the U.S., and other countries and address such threats appropriately.