Press Conferences

Mr. KITAMURA Toshihiro, Press Secretary: I have an announcement at the outset. While it is not a new announcement, I would like to report on several high-level visits that were planned and have taken place from last month to this month, on this occasion.

Just the past week, as visits at the ministerial level and above, the foreign ministers of Poland and Mongolia visited Japan, and respectively held Foreign Ministers’ Meetings with Minister Iwaya. The details of these meetings have been published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and in press releases I would like you to refer to.

In addition, currently, President Mattarella of Italy is paying an Official Visit to Japan, and will hold a meeting with Prime Minister Ishiba later. Furthermore, President Heine of the Marshall Islands will be visiting Japan next week, and President Lula of Brazil is scheduled to pay a State Visit to Japan at the end of this month.

In April, the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan will open, and it is expected that many more foreign dignitaries will visit Japan. MOFA intends to seize these opportunities, to discuss the various challenges facing the international community, as well as to strengthen bilateral relations with other countries.

That is all from me.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Oyabu: Today, U.S. President Trump delivered his policy speech to Congress, and once again made remarks justifying measures which impose high tariffs on imports from other countries. Please tell us how Japan intends to respond to this, and your view on the details of his policy speech.

Press Secretary Kitamura: This morning Japan time, March 4 in U.S. Eastern time, as you mentioned, I am aware that President Trump delivered his first address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress since assuming office. While the Government of Japan will refrain from commenting on each remark by President Trump, we view that he expressed his thoughts on top priority issues across a wide range of themes, including domestic and foreign affairs.

Regarding reciprocal tariffs you asked about, the Government of Japan has asked the Government of the U.S. that Japan should not be subject to such measures, and is continuing further communication. Japan will respond appropriately, building on the details of the measures to be revealed, and their impact on Japan.