Press Conferences

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

First is about the recent G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

I visited South Africa from February 20 to 21, and attended the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting for the first time. Under the view that it is important to coordinate and cooperate with other countries to restore an international order based on the rule of law and lead the international community toward cooperation, I communicated the importance of cooperation with Africa and about the Situations in Ukraine and the Middle East, keeping in mind that TICAD 9 will be held this August. I also reaffirmed the coordination with the countries of the Global South.

Minister Iwaya: The second is about the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland visiting Japan.

From February 26 to March 2, H.E. Mr. Radosław Sikorski, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, will visit Japan as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

I will hold a Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Working Dinner with Minister Sikorski on February 28.

Poland is an important strategic partner, which has more than 100 years of a history of exchange with Japan. I intend to deepen coordination to further strengthen the bilateral relationship with Minister Sikorski, as well as steadily exchange views on international affairs including Ukraine.

That is all from me at the outset.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Uemura: I would like to ask about last night’s G7 virtual summit meeting. After the U.S. Trump administration came into office, it seems that the situation in Ukraine may undergo a major turnaround. What significance do you see in holding this meeting and having discussions at this time? Thank you.

Minister Iwaya: On February 24, the G7 Leaders’ Video Conference was held, and Prime Minister Ishiba attended the meeting. The meeting was held on the occasion of the three-year anniversary of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. As you know, President Zelenskyy of Ukraine also participated at the opening of this meeting.

At the Conference, Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized the following four points.

The first is that Japan expresses its sincere respect for the courage of Ukraine, which has continued to fight against Russia since the aggression began three years ago. Japan hopes that the various diplomatic efforts which are currently ongoing, including by the U.S., will bear fruit and help achieve a breakthrough in the situation.

The second is that, in achieving peace, Japan would like to cooperate with the G7 members to ensure that the situation does not lead to the drawing of the wrong precedent.

The third is that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region becomes increasingly inseparable. Japan strongly condemns the advancement of Russian-North Korean military cooperation, including the engagement of North Korean troops in combat.

The fourth is that the unity of the G7 is important for achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Japan will continue support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, in coordination with the G7. Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized the above four points.

At this summit meeting, I believe the G7 leaders held candid discussions and confirmed the unity of the G7, determined to bring peace to Ukraine as soon as possible. With the aggression now passing the three-year mark, countries have begun making various efforts toward peace. In this regard, I believe holding the G7 leaders’ conference at this time was extremely timely and appropriate.

Kyodo News, Sakaguchi: I have a follow-up question. I believe Prime Minister Ishiba confirmed and called for G7 unity as you just stated. However, the joint statement has not been issued yet due to coordination taking time, revealing that there is a lack of alignment among the G7 members. Could you please share your thoughts again on the need for G7 unity. Please also share with us your thoughts on the fact that the joint statement is facing coordination challenges. In addition, ahead of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in March and the G7 Summit in June, please tell us what Japan will be urging other members as the only member from Asia? Both you and the Prime Minister have referred to the “wrong precedent.” From the perspective of Japan, which is surrounded not only by Russia but also by North Korea, which continues to develop nuclear missiles, and by China, which continues to employ military coercion in the surrounding seas, what importance is there in calling on other members to avoid drawing the wrong precedent?

Minister Iwaya: First, the joint statement is currently under intensive coordination. At this juncture, it is important that a G7 joint statement is issued if possible. Therefore, Japan, too, will make earnest efforts to this end.

On what Japan will be urging other members, as you know, the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held in March. In June, the G7 Kananaskis Summit will also be held. There will of course be communication with various relevant countries before these meetings. Through such diplomatic opportunities, we will strive to establish clear communication. Japan will urge other members at all levels to ensure that the points advocated and emphasized by Prime Minister Ishiba during the G7 Leaders’ Video Conference are fully reflected.

As for making sure that the situation does not lead to drawing the wrong precedent, which you raised, needless to say, Japan’s position is that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force should not be tolerated anywhere in the world. If the wrong precedent is drawn, the Indo-Pacific might be impacted. It is anticipated that the negative repercussions would extend to all parts of the world. To prevent such outcomes, Japan intends to closely coordinate its views with other members.

NHK, Yonezu: I would like to ask about Ukraine. At the UNGA, a draft resolution calling for an end to the hostilities and the withdrawal of Russian troops, submitted by Ukraine and the EU, was adopted with a majority of votes in favor, including Japan. However, the U.S. vote against the resolution appears to have deepened the divide between the U.S. and Europe or highlighted the differences in their positions. Under these circumstances, please tell us how Japan will be addressing the Ukraine issue.

Minister Iwaya: As you indicated, on February 24, local time, at an emergency special session of the UNGA, a UNGA resolution on peace in Ukraine submitted by Ukraine and the EU was adopted with a majority of votes in favor, including Japan. In this resolution, the UNGA calls for an immediate cessation of the hostilities by Russian forces against Ukraine, an immediate cessation of attacks against civilians and civilian objects, and peace in Ukraine based on the United Nations Charter. Japan thus supported the resolution.

On your question about U.S.-European confrontation, this is not the time to be in a confrontation. The diplomatic efforts by member countries, including the U.S. and Europe, should eventually lead to unity among the international community and an end to the prolonged hostilities. Furthermore, the ultimate goal is the realization of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Therefore, as a matter of course, Japan will maintain close communication with both the U.S. and Europe and urge members to pursue cooperation, not division or confrontation, to ensure the realization of peace in Ukraine.

Mainichi Shimbun, Kim: I have a question on the Ukrainian peace process. In the discussions on peace in Ukraine, President Zelenskyy has called for security guarantees following the realization of a ceasefire, while the UK and France are considering deploying troops for peacekeeping. If a Ukraine ceasefire agreement is realized, how will Japan be involved or how can Japan be involved in ensuring security in Ukraine?

Minister Iwaya: We are aware of such news reports. Various discussions on Ukraine are currently under way in the international community and, as a matter of course, the Government is gathering information with great interest.

Achieving a ceasefire comes first above all else. The framework for peace and post-war security guarantees for Ukraine is also one of the critical and most important points of focus. I expect that the creation of such a framework will be subject to many more discussions among the relevant countries. Therefore, at this stage, the Government would like to refrain from making in-depth comments on what will happen after the ceasefire.

In any case, Japan will be fully engaged in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine and will play its expected role.

Kyodo News, Sakaguchi: Changing topics, I would like to ask about the Bundestag general election in Germany. The voting and counting took place on February 23. The opposition Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) emerged as the largest bloc, securing their return to power for the first time since 2021. What kind of relations will Japan build with the new government? In addition, Alternative for Germany (AfD), a political party described as being far-right, made significant gains. It seems that parties considered to be far-right are growing across Europe. In Japan as well, exclusionary rhetoric is beginning to stand out. As Foreign Minister, what are your thoughts on this global atmosphere or mood? I would appreciate it if you can share your opinion.

Minister Iwaya: First, as you noted, the German Bundestag election was held on February 23. According to the official provisional results announced by the German Federal Election Commission, the CDU/CSU has emerged as the largest bloc. We understand that a new administration will be established following coalition negotiations.

Since this is about the domestic politics of another country, I would like to refrain from making in-depth comments. In any case, Japan and Germany are important partners that share common values and principles. The two countries have been working closely, both bilaterally and within the G7 framework, toward maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

With the new administration to be established, Japan will continue to strengthen its relations with Germany in a wide range of fields.

While I would like to refrain from commenting on the political developments of another country, the world and the international community are indeed moving toward division and confrontation. The goal of Japanese diplomacy is to redirect this trend toward cooperation and reconciliation through diplomatic efforts for dialogue. In the same vein, it is desirable that domestic politics move toward cooperation and reconciliation, rather than division and confrontation. In this sense, domestically, I believe it is important that both ruling and opposition parties conduct politics based on thorough deliberations.