Press Conferences

Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Today, I held the Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue, following the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

At the meeting and a luncheon with H.E. Cho Tae-yul, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the ROK, we confirmed that it serves both countries’ strategic interests to maintain and progress the positive atmosphere of Japan-ROK relations and to further strengthen the cooperation among Japan, the ROK and the U.S., as the global situation enters a period of upheaval.

In addition, we candidly exchanged our views on the regional situation including policies toward North Korea, and the international situation, and reaffirmed that we will continue to work closely together between Japan and the ROK, as well as among Japan, the ROK and the U.S. Furthermore, I expressed my appreciation for the consistent support from the Government of the ROK for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue, and asked for continued cooperation. Minister Cho and I have held a series of dialogues, both in person and by phone. In the current strategic environment, the importance of Japan-ROK relations remains unchanged, and I believe it has even grown. The two countries will continue to communicate closely with one another.

At the meeting with H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, we shared the view to ensure the progress of reducing issues and concerns and increasing cooperation and coordination.

Moreover, we confirmed that we will promote mutually beneficial and practical cooperation in a wide range of fields, including the green economy and measures to deal with the declining birthrate and aging population. Meanwhile, I pointed out the importance of resolving issues of concerns. Specifically, I expressed Japan’s views and concerns candidly about issues and concerns, such as the situation in the East China Sea, including the situation surrounding the Senkaku Islands, the intensification of Chinese military activities, the issue surrounding the buoy, the issue of the detention of Japanese nationals, the safety and security of Japanese citizens, and the situations surrounding Taiwan, the South China Sea, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and others, and urged the Chinese side to address them.

At the Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue held for the first time in approximately six years, the two sides held not only a discussion on cooperation projects but also a candid discussion toward the resolution of issues and concerns. The discussion was very lively. It ran longer than expected, but it was a highly fruitful discussion. In this regard, I believe it was meaningful that Minister Wang and I confirmed today the progress in the process toward the resumption of imports of Japanese aquatic products.

Japan, together with China and the ROK, will steadily advance preparation for holding the Trilateral Summit in the future.

That is all from me at the outset.

Reporter: Japan chaired the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. What do you believe were the outcomes of the meeting? Additionally, were any views exchanged about the U.S. Trump administration during the Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Japan’s bilateral meetings with China or the ROK, or on other occasions? In particular, were any mentions related to negotiations for a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine or concerns about the tariff increases?

Minister Iwaya: As was stated at the joint press announcement this morning, during the Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, we exchanged views candidly from a broad perspective on trilateral cooperation as well as regional and global situations, and confirmed the promotion of a future-oriented cooperation among the three countries.

Building on that, we also concurred on accelerating preparation to achieve concrete outcomes for the Trilateral Summit to be held in Japan, focusing on the three areas of knowing each other better, cooperation to shape and protect livelihoods, and joint efforts of all generations to tackle common challenges.

We concurred on expediting preparation for holding the next Trilateral Summit hosted by Japan at the earliest convenient time. We will announce when the summit will be held once it is finalized.

The U.S. was not a main topic in any of today’s meetings. With the ROK, we concurred on continuing to work closely together among Japan, the ROK, and the U.S. and on both of us communicating closely with the U.S.

Reporter: You mentioned at the outset that the Japanese and Chinese sides confirmed the process toward the resumption of aquatic product imports. What is this exactly? Please share with us the details on the way forward, such as the timing for easing the current measures, including the beef embargo. In addition, did the foreign ministers’ meeting make concrete progress on Prime Minister Ishiba’s visit to China by the end of the year? You also mentioned earlier the timing of the Trilateral Summit. Could you tell us the specific timing or rough timeframe you have in mind? Furthermore, it was reported the day before yesterday that a former Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces has become an advisor to the Government-General of Taiwan [verbatim, as stated]. Regarding Taiwan, the Chinese side has lodged a protest over references to Taiwan at the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting. Please share with us what you and Mr. Wang Yi discussed on the issue surrounding Taiwan at today’s foreign ministers’ meeting.

Minister Iwaya: First, regarding the import restrictions on Japanese aquatic products by China, we expressed our appreciation for the steady implementation of the “Shared Recognition between Japan and China” that was announced last September. We concurred on promoting relevant consultations toward the resumption of imports and confirmed the progress in the process. In addition, regarding resuming and expanding the export of Japanese agricultural products, including beef and rice, to China, I mentioned the importance of prioritizing the resolution of issues that can be resolved quickly, and called for a swift resumption or expansion of the import of Japanese products.

At this stage, nothing has been decided regarding future high-level exchanges, including Prime Minister Ishiba’s visit to China. The two countries will also coordinate closely.

As for the timing of the Trilateral Summit, we hope to hold it at the earliest possible time. As Japan has the chairmanship this year, we must hold the summit by the end of the year and will be expediting the preparation. Meanwhile, we must wait for political stability in the ROK, so the summit will be coordinated among the three countries.

Regarding Taiwan, on the former Chief of Staff’s appointment as an advisor to Taiwan’s Executive Yuan, the Chinese side raised this matter, and I explained that the Government of Japan was not involved in the appointment.

Reporter: You mentioned at the end now that the Chinese side raised the matter of the former Chief of Staff. Could I ask what the Chinese side said exactly?

Minister Iwaya: As that is diplomatic communication, I would like to refrain from disclosing the details. In response to the inquiry, I stated that the Government of Japan was not involved.