Press Conferences

Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I am visiting Munich, Germany, to attend the Munich Security Conference and the G7 Foreign Minister’s Meeting. First, I attend the G7 Foreign Minister’s Meeting, the first time in the year of Canada’s Presidency. Amid the international situation being highly turbulent, I candidly communicated with my counterparts of G7 members on the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Indo-Pacific. It is a critical juncture for the G7, which shares values and principles, to firmly maintain and strengthen its cooperation. Therefore, I believe it was of great significance that the foreign ministers candidly aligned their views and confirmed their unity.

On the situation in Ukraine, we held a discussion with Minister for Foreign Affairs Sybiha of Ukraine. We reaffirmed that the G7 will firmly coordinate with Ukraine for the realization of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. I conveyed Japan’s unchanged determination to strongly promote support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.

On the situation in the Middle East, we welcomed the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and reaffirmed the importance of steadily implementing processes of the agreement. We also held a discussion for medium- to long-term peace and stability in the Middle East, taking into account the perspective of a two-state solution. I stated that Japan will play an active role not only in urgent humanitarian assistance but also in medium-to long-term recovery and reconstruction support. In addition, I explained Japan’s initiatives, including CEAPAD (Conference on cooperation among East Asian countries for Palestinian Development), a framework for support for Palestine in cooperation with East Asian countries.

Furthermore, we also discussed the Indo-Pacific, and shared serious concern about the situation in the East and South China Seas and North Korea’s nuclear and missile issues. I asked anew for understanding and cooperation from the other G7 countries for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue, and gained their support.

On this occasion, I held meetings and talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs Joly of Canada, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kallas, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Rutte, Minister of Foreign Affairs Veldkamp of Netherlands, and Secretary of State Rubio of the U.S. Later, I will hold a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Safadi of Jordan.

With Foreign Minister Joly of Canada, I confirmed that we would promote bilateral cooperation in areas such as the economy and security, including energy corporation. With EU High Representative Kallas, I held a discussion on regional and international affairs. We once again shared understanding that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is inseparable, and confirmed that the two sides will continue to work closely. NATO Secretary General Rutte and I exchanged views on regional and international situations including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. We affirmed the importance of strengthening cooperation among like-minded countries including NATO, and concurred to further strengthen Japan-NATO cooperation and NATO-IP4 cooperation. Foreign Minister Veldkamp of Netherlands and I discussed the bilateral relations and the regional and international situation, and confirmed to deepen defense cooperation.

With Secretary of State Rubio of the U.S., I followed up on the recent Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting. Additionally, we confirmed that we will communicate closely to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. economic relations, and I lodged a claim regarding the tariff measures by the U.S. Government. At the meeting that follows with Deputy Prime Minister Safadi of Jordan, I intend to exchange views on the situation in the Middle East, and to affirm the importance of trust between the two countries and continuing to closely work together.

In addition, I held a Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Secretary of State Rubio of the U.S. and Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul of the ROK. At this meeting, we confirmed the advancement of concrete cooperation to lead efforts toward peace and prosperity in the region, with the three countries acting in solidarity, including policies toward North Korea.

Lastly, at a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference, I engaged in a lively discussion on the current security environment in Indo-Pacific and Europe from various perspectives, with panelists from the ROK, New Zealand, and the NATO Secretariat. I asserted the importance of the coordination among allies and like-minded countries including the Japan-U.S. Alliance, Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad), and Japan-U.S.-ROK, under the recognition that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific are inseparable. Furthermore, I spoke about realizing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Although it was for a short time, I was able to attend the security conferences that brought together leaders, security ministers, and experts from around the world amid the global upheaval, and I believe very meaningful discussions took place. Based on the discussions held, Japan will continue to contribute to peace and stability in the world.

Reporter: I have a question about the situation in Ukraine. The Trump administration of the U.S. has expressed enthusiasm toward the realization of a ceasefire. On the other hand, Ukraine and Europe worry that the Ukrainian side will be unilaterally pressured into making concessions, revealing a difference in tone between the two sides. At today’s G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, did you perceive that countries are moving toward bridging this gap? What is the Government of Japan’s view on how Ukraine ceasefire talks should be conducted or what an eventual ceasefire should look like? Please also tell us how Japan intends to achieve the unity of the G7, which has been confirmed repeatedly thus far.

Minister Iwaya: At the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the situation in Ukraine was a main topic of course, and a lively discussion took place. As I stated earlier, we held a discussion with Minister for Foreign Affairs Sybiha of Ukraine. During the discussion, we reaffirmed that the G7 and Ukraine would work together to achieve peace, and then toward rehabilitation and reconstruction from a medium- to long-term perspective. While various discussions are underway to achieve a ceasefire or peace, Japan believes that it is important to communicate closely and coordinate within the G7 as much as possible. I would like to express my respect for the diplomatic efforts made by various countries, including the U.S. To ensure that such diplomatic efforts lead to bringing an end to many years of hostilities and overcoming the challenging circumstances, we need to hold further exhaustive discussions and communicate even more closely. My sense was that nothing concrete is in sight at this stage, and that the process is still underway. In any case, it is important that the G7, which shares values and principles, works together closely in solving this issue.

Reporter: Today, the first Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held since the Trump administration took office. How important is a summit meeting in the Japan-U.S.-ROK framework? Please tell us whether today’s meeting discussed the prospects for or interest in holding a Japan-U.S.-ROK Summit Meeting. Additionally, in relation to the Japan-U.S.-ROK framework, Mr. Trump has shown interest in having contact with Mr. Kim Jong-un. Is there any concern on the part of Japan or the ROK that issues such as North Korea’s denuclearization or the resolution of the issue of the abduction of Japanese citizens might be sidelined? How will Japan be addressing such concerns? Furthermore, earlier, before discussing the Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I believe you mentioned your talks with Mr. Rubio. By “lodged a claim regarding the tariff measures,” I believe you were referring to the exclusion of Japan. Could you elaborate a little more? Please also share with us the response of the U.S. side to the extent that you can.

Minister Iwaya: At today’s Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, we were able to have very meaningful discussions and reached a shared view. The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to work together toward the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions, which covers North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities. During the discussion, as I stated earlier, I confirmed continued support on the abductions issue from the U.S. and the ROK, which is very reassuring.

While a summit meeting is important of course, I expect that we will wait for the situation in the ROK to calm down a little more before considering a summit meeting. Accordingly, at this stage, nothing has been decided yet on a summit meeting. Nevertheless, I believe it would be desirable to hold one, circumstances permitting.

Your other question was about my talks with Mr. Rubio. As this was diplomatic communication, I cannot disclose it in its entirety, but I conveyed that Japan should be excluded from the U.S. tariff measures on steel and aluminum products. I also conveyed our view that Japan should not be subject to the reciprocal tariffs. In addition, I raised the issue of the tariffs on automobiles. Beyond that, I would like to refrain from disclosing the details.