Press Conferences

Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I would like to report on my visit to the U.S. I have been visiting the U.S. since the day before yesterday to attend the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony of President Trump, as well as hold meetings and build a relationship of trust with officials of new administration including Secretary of State Rubio. This was the first time that a Japanese Foreign Minister attended the inauguration ceremony of a U.S. President upon the invitation of the U.S. It was a grand ceremony. I believe the invitation to the ceremony extended in this manner demonstrates the importance that the new Trump administration attaches to Japan-U.S. relations. I would like to once again offer my heartfelt congratulations to President Trump and Vice President Vance on their inauguration.

I just held the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Secretary of State Rubio. Secretary Rubio was just confirmed by Congress only yesterday. I understand he was unanimously confirmed. Our meeting effectively took place on his first day in office. I believe we were able to hold a candid discussion and exchange of views on a wide range of topics.

At the meeting, I congratulated Secretary Rubio on his inauguration. We concurred to closely work together to continue elevating the Japan-U.S. Alliance to new heights to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). In addition, we exchanged views on the economy and the regional situation. We will maintain close partnership to further bolster the Japan-U.S. relations, which have become stronger than ever.

Moreover, I held bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of Australia and India. I also attend the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Wong of Australia and I confirmed that we will promote multilayered cooperation with the U.S. and other like-minded countries, and work to further deepen the Special Strategic Partnership between Japan and Australia, towards realizing a FOIP.

India is also Japan’s special strategic partner. Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar of India and I exchanged views on concrete efforts for bilateral cooperation in wide range of areas, including security, the economy, and people-to-people exchange.

As for the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I believe it was highly significant that this meeting, the first for newly inaugurated Secretary Rubio, was held at an unprecedented early timing, just a day after the new U.S. administration was inaugurated. At the meeting, we held discussions on the situation in the Indo-Pacific region from a strategic perspective, and concurred that the four countries will continue to promote cooperation towards realizing a FOIP. From the point of view, we also concurred on holding Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meetings regularly as well as preparing for next meeting. We were also able to issue the first joint statement under the new U.S. administration.

Furthermore, I exchanged views with National Security Advisor (NSA) Waltz at the White House. After this, I am also planned to hold a meeting with Senator Hagerty, United States Senate, former Ambassador.

During this visit, I believe I was able to build a relationship of trust with officials of the new Trump administration immediately after it took office, and have close communication at various levels. In this sense, this visit was highly significant. Furthermore, holding the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting so soon after the U.S. administration took office was groundbreaking in terms of demonstrating the importance of this framework. I intend to continue to work closely with members of the new Trump administration at all levels, including my counterpart Secretary Rubio, and elevate the Japan-U.S. Alliance to a higher level. Most importantly, the two sides will work closely to ensure that the upcoming Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting is meaningful.

That is all from me.

Reporter: I would like to ask about the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. What discussions took place on President Trump’s proposed across-the-board tariff increases, as well as demands to allies and like-minded countries to raise their defense spending and Host Nation Support? If the U.S. continues to make such demands, how does Japan intend to respond? President Trump is opposed to the acquisition of United States Steel Corporation by Nippon Steel Corporation, which raises concerns about a deterioration in Japan-U.S. economic relations. Could you tell us if this matter was discussed or not?

Minister Iwaya: Secretary Rubio and I discussed a wide range of topics. I explained about Japan’s defense efforts. I explained that Japan is working steadily to double our defense budget compared to when I was Minister of Defense six years ago, that our defense budget has already increased by 65%, and that Japan is steadfastly executing the plan outlined in its National Security Strategy.

We also exchanged views on the economy. I mentioned the importance of Japan-U.S. economic relations, including investments by Japanese companies in the U.S. and economic security, and we reaffirmed their importance. I conveyed that Japan has been a leading investor in the U.S. for five consecutive years, and that Japan intends to increase its investment. To this end, I called for efforts to dispel concerns or anxieties related to Japanese investment in the U.S. We were able to hold a thorough exchange of views on such a wide range of topics, including security and economic cooperation. I believe this has deepened the U.S. understanding.

Reporter: I have a question about cooperation with allies and like-minded countries. It has been said that President Trump does not attach importance to multilateral frameworks. During your series of meetings, including today’s Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, what discussions did you have on multilateral cooperation, and what is the direction confirmed by the countries? As for the Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) framework, the ROK has fallen into political instability. Additionally, the Japan-U.S.-Philippines framework launched under President Biden is said to have an uncertain outlook. Please share with us Japan’s view on the continuation of these frameworks, and how it intends to engage the Trump administration?

Minister Iwaya: While there had been public speculation about the Trump administration potentially not attaching importance to multilateral frameworks, I got the impression that this is not the case at all. Taking just one example of the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting being held soon after the administration took office, I gather that the Trump administration fully attaches importance to such multilateral frameworks. Especially today, the Quad meeting was held about an hour after the new Secretary, Mr. Rubio, arrived at the State Department for the first time. I would like to pay tribute to their swiftness. In addition, this was Secretary Rubio’s first Quad meeting, and we were able to issue a joint statement. My impression is that the administration is firmly engaged in multilateral frameworks. What was your other question again?

Reporter: It was about the future of the Japan-U.S.-ROK and the Japan-U.S.-Philippines frameworks.

Minister Iwaya: We also discussed the situation in those regions. While I would like to refrain from disclosing the details of the discussion, I explained about my visit last week to the ROK and the Philippines in connection with the Japan-U.S.-ROK framework and the Japan-U.S.-Philippines framework. I urged that we continue to value these frameworks, and I believe I have gained the understanding of the U.S.

Reporter: I would like to ask about your meetings with Secretary Rubio and NSA Waltz. You mentioned “the upcoming Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting.” Were any details, such as the date and place of the summit meeting, decided at today’s meeting? Please tell us about the discussion. Prime Minister Ishiba has been asked by the Chinese side to visit China at the earliest opportunity. What is the general timeline you think should be followed for Prime Minister Ishiba’s diplomacy toward the U.S. and China? I would also like to ask whether there was any mention at today’s meeting of applying Article V of the Japan-U.S. Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security to the Senkaku Islands. Additionally, please allow me to ask one more question related to the situation in East Asia. Following newly inaugurated President Trump’s remark, please tell us whether the two countries confirmed the position of not recognizing North Korea’s possession of nuclear weapons.

Minister Iwaya: First, I discussed the Prime Minister’s visit to the U.S. with Secretary Rubio and NSA Waltz, and we are vigorously making efforts toward the arrangements. Keeping in mind each other’s schedules, including the Diet session in Japan and the State of the Union address, for example, in the U.S., we confirmed today to work quickly to arrange a meeting at the earliest possible, mutually convenient, and appropriate time. The exact date has not been finalized at this stage. What did you ask me before the topic of nuclear possession?

Reporter: It was about the application of Article V to the Senkaku Islands and the timeline for Japan’s diplomacy toward China and the U.S.

Minister Iwaya: I believe Prime Minister Ishiba, as he has been stating, hopes to visit the U.S. at the earliest possible time and hold a Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting. The Prime Minister has also stated that he would like to visit China when the opportunity arises. We have already started coordinating the date with the U.S., and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hopes to realize the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting as early as possible. As for the issue of nuclear possession, I believe you are referring to President Trump’s remark. While I would like to refrain from giving my opinion on each remark, our position remains unchanged that North Korea must eliminate its nuclear weapons in accordance with the series of United Nations resolutions and fully implement the resolutions. We view that the U.S. position also remains unchanged.

Reporter: How about applying Article V to the Senkaku Islands?

Minister Iwaya: That is of course an important matter. Precisely because it is such a critical matter, I believe it is desirable to fully confirm this and affirm the U.S.’s concrete commitment during the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting. We are making thorough preparations toward this.

Reporter: I would like to ask about the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Secretary Rubio stated during his confirmation hearings and other occasions that the approach to China will be a top foreign policy priority. During today’s dialogue, did the two of you reach any agreement on the approach to China?

Minister Iwaya: As with the Quad framework, and probably the U.S. foreign policy, as well as our own foreign policy, they are not aimed at any particular country. We are working to realize a FOIP, so we thoroughly exchanged views from the perspective of fully deterring and responding to acts and actions that threaten the peace and stability of a FOIP.

Reporter: My question is about the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. President Trump has repeatedly mentioned across-the-board tariff increases. Although this matter does not fall under Mr. Rubio’s jurisdiction, did you convey anything to the Secretary regarding this matter? Furthermore, regarding North Korea’s possession of nuclear weapons, do you believe that North Korea possesses nuclear weapons that are usable?

Minister Iwaya: We did not specifically take up and discuss the issue of tariffs. Japan will closely follow the policies that the U.S. actually adopts and take appropriate responses. With regard to North Korea’s nuclear capabilities, it is a fact that North Korea has conducted numerous nuclear tests and repeatedly launched missiles and other delivery vehicles. Our position is that North Korea’s possession of nuclear weapons should not be recognized, and our goal is to achieve denuclearization. We will be working closely and steadily with the international community, including the U.S., in this direction.