Press Conferences

Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have an announcement at the outset.

Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is visiting Japan from May 26 to 28. I am also scheduled to hold a meeting with him later today.

There is an urgent need to improve the critical humanitarian situation in Gaza and sustainably ensure an enabling environment in which humanitarian assistance can be provided. At the meeting, I hope to hear about the Agency’s efforts to improve its governance and intend to reaffirm our commitment to continuing joint efforts to promote international cooperation in support of Palestine refugees.

That is all from me at the outset.

NHK, Tanii: I would like to ask about the Japan-U.S. negotiations on tariff measures. A meeting between Minister Akazawa and Secretary of the Treasury Bessent is expected to be held as early as this coming weekend. In addition, a Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting is anticipated to be arranged for the middle of next month to coincide with the G7 Summit. Amid concerns about the growing economic impact of tariffs, when is your general target date for reaching an agreement in the tariff negotiations? Will it be on the occasion of the G7 Summit? Please share your thoughts.

Minister Iwaya: A Japan-U.S. summit telephone talk was held on May 23. Prime Minister Ishiba said he and President Trump confirmed that each would work to build win-win relations between the two countries, and that Prime Minister Ishiba has once again come away with the acute sense that the two leaders had an extremely wide range of shared perspectives. In that sense, there seems to be a relationship of trust that allows for candid discussions between the two leaders.

Regarding your question on by when the Japan-U.S. Consultation on U.S. Tariff Measures will reach an agreement, at this stage I would like to refrain from responding based on speculation. Japan and the U.S. have concurred on engaging in consultations in a constructive and candid manner to reach and announce an agreement between the two leaders at the earliest possible opportunity. To do so, Japan and the U.S. are continuing to engage in various consultations.

What is important is that the two sides reach an agreement that would be mutually beneficial for both Japan and the U.S. We believe it would be self-defeating if priority is given to reaching an agreement quickly at the cost of undermining Japan’s national interests.

During the Japan-U.S. summit telephone talk that I mentioned earlier, I understand Prime Minister Ishiba stated that he looked forward to holding an in-person meeting on the occasion of the upcoming G7 Summit, and in response, President Trump stated that he would also look forward to it. I expect that the next ministerial-level meeting will be scheduled shortly. I understand it was decided that close consultations will be held between the ministers, bearing in mind a potential meeting between the Japanese and U.S. leaders on the margins of the G7 Summit in June.

In any case, based on the policy or approach I have just outlined, the Government will continue to make all-out efforts, working as a unified force and addressing this issue as our utmost priority.

Freelance, Nishinaka: DSEI Japan 2025, an international arms fair, was held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture from May 21 to 23. It is a large-scale trade show, with approximately 450 arms companies from 78 countries exhibiting. DSEI Japan was first held in 2019, and this was the third time. It is supported by the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and the National Police Agency. The participants included 20 companies from Israel and two Israeli government agencies. As you stated at the outset, the Israeli military continues to wage appalling, large-scale military attacks on the Gaza Strip in Palestine day after day. Amid this situation, an international trade show featuring state-of-the-art arms was held in Japan with Israeli companies also taking part. Why does the Government of Japan not regard this as a problem, and why does MOFA continue to support the event? Please tell us the reasons.

Minister Iwaya: DSEI Japan 2025, which you referred to, was held under the theme, “Strengthening Indo-Pacific security through advanced technology.” I understand that it was attended by companies and defense officials from various countries, including Israel.

The participation of Israeli companies and defense officials was an outcome of arrangements made independently by Clarion Defence & Security Ltd, the UK-based organizer of this trade show, and MOFA is not in a position to respond on this matter.

That being said, nominal support of MOFA was granted in an appropriate manner in accordance with MOFA’s prescribed procedures, and we do not consider there to be any issue.

MOFA’s website lists examples of projects for which nominal support will not be granted. Applications are reviewed individually and in detail, including to ensure that they do not fall under the ineligible projects, and a decision is made on whether nominal support will be granted or not.

That said, we are seriously concerned about Israel’s resumption of attacks in the Gaza Strip and its response to the humanitarian situation, which I have conveyed directly to Foreign Minister Sa’ar.

Japan will continue to strongly urge Israel, at all levels, to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and advance the process based on a ceasefire agreement.