Press Conferences

Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs: If circumstances permit, I will visit Vatican City State, New York of the U.S., Senegal, Saudi Arabia, and France from today to May 4. First, in Vatican City State, I am scheduled to attend the funeral of His Holiness the Pope Francis. The Government of Japan would like to express its heartfelt respect for the achievements of Pope Francis to date and extend its deepest condolences.

In New York, I will attend the third session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 NPT Review Conference and deliver an address at the general debate. In addition, I am scheduled to attend the events of the International Group of Eminent Persons for a World Without Nuclear Weapons (IGEP), taking this opportunity to also hold a meeting with Secretary General Guterres of the United Nations (UN).

In Senegal, I will hold a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Fall to enhance Japan-Senegal relations and Japan-Africa Relations in the run-up to the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) this August.

Next, in Saudi Arabia, I will hold a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Faisal. I intend to hold candid discussions on the overall international situation, including urgent issues in the Middle East region, in addition to bilateral relations.

Lastly, in France, I will hold a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Barrot. With France, which is a like-minded member of the G7 and is currently striving to play a significant leadership role toward peace and prosperity in the international community, I intend to reaffirm the close communication and cooperation between our two countries.

As the international community becomes increasingly divided, it has become more important than ever to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law through candid dialogue and international cooperation. From this perspective, for this trip, I have decided to visit the UN, which stands at the heart of multilateralism, followed by major countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Through dialogue and cooperation, I will steadily deepen Japan’s collaboration with the respective countries.

Reporter: This will be the first time in seven years for a Japanese Foreign Minister to attend a session of the Preparatory Committee for the NPT Review Conference. May I ask why you decided to attend and what outcomes the Government aims to achieve during the two-week session? In this connection, I would also like to ask whether Japan will aim for unanimous adoption of the recommendations to the Review Conference next year. You will then be visiting three countries, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, and France. Please tell us why these countries were selected as your destinations and what outcomes you hope to achieve in each country. In addition, earlier today, the Committee on Rules and Administration of the House of Councillors disapproved your overseas visit due to opposition from opposition parties. Please also share with us your thoughts on this.

Minister Iwaya: First, regarding my attendance at the session of the Preparatory Committee for the NPT Review Conference, the NPT regime is, needless to say, the only universal effort that broadly engages both nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States toward the goal of a “world without nuclear weapons.” Recently, I stated that Japan would not participate as an observer at the Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, but that it would work hard toward achieving a “world without nuclear weapons” under the NPT regime. Against this backdrop, I believe that maintaining and strengthening the NPT regime is necessary, precisely because the path toward a “world without nuclear weapons” is becoming even more severe. Based on this view, I have decided to attend the Preparatory Committee session myself in order for Japan to exercise leadership in the process leading up to next year’s NPT Review Conference. I recognize that this meeting will be an important one that will lead into next year’s Review Conference. Japan will make efforts to overcome divisions and ensure that substantial outcomes are achieved through sincere dialogue and constructive discussions. Given also that the past two conferences failed to produce an outcome document, I believe the Review Conference next year will be critical and we intend to emphasize Japan’s views in the run-up to the conference.

Senegal is a so-called stable country in West Africa where democracy has taken root. It is a “strategically important partner” that shares values and principles with Japan, and it is also a strong supporter of TICAD. Accordingly, I would like to strengthen cooperation with Senegal, which is one of the key countries heading into TICAD 9.

As for Saudi Arabia, it is truly a leading country in the Arab world. It serves as a cornerstone of stability in the Middle East region and is increasingly assuming this role. Saudi Arabia has been the venue for various meetings, including consultations on Ukraine, Gaza, and issues surrounding Iran. Recently, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs and I held a meeting in Japan on the occasion of his visit. Now, I intend to visit Saudi Arabia and conduct close communication. In addition, it goes without saying that Saudi Arabia is Japan’s most important partner for energy security. Furthermore, as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, I have decided to visit Saudi Arabia.

France is, as you know, a permanent member of the UN Security Council. As a G7 member, it is demonstrating leadership in the international community, including on the situation in Ukraine. Europe’s response going forward will be an extremely important factor for Japan. In Europe, I suppose that the UK, Germany, and France will be playing a central role. Germany has just undergone a change of government, and with the UK, Prime Minister Ishiba recently held a summit telephone meeting with the Prime Minister. In France, I will meet with dignitaries, including the Foreign Minister, to listen carefully to France’s views and realize close communication between our two countries.

I do not know the circumstances which led to the House of Councillors’ disapproval. As the Diet is in session, I will commit myself fully to carrying out diplomatic activities that are deemed necessary while minimizing the impact on Diet affairs.