Press Conferences

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

Her Imperial Highness Princess Kako is currently visiting Brazil. This year is the “Japan-Brazil Friendship Exchange Year,” which marks the 130th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil.

Brazil is a traditionally amicable country that has the largest Nikkei community outside Japan. It is blessed with food and natural resources, and is also a Strategic and Global Partner that shares values and principles with Japan.

In March, Japan welcomed President Lula as a State Guest. In addition, various commemorative projects and events are being held in both countries, among other active bilateral exchanges now taking place. Last week, I appointed the singer Ms. AIKAWA Nanase as Goodwill Ambassador for the Japan-Brazil Friendship Exchange Year.

I am committed to taking Japan-Brazil relations to an even higher level through the Friendship Exchange Year, which marks the milestone 130th anniversary of our diplomatic relations.

That is all from me at the outset.

Kyodo News, Sakaguchi: The Government of the U.S. has imposed sanctions on four ICC judges for authorizing, for example, the issuance of arrest warrants targeting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and another individual in connection with the attacks in Gaza. The ICC has condemned the U.S. Government’s actions. I believe you have frequently mentioned coordinating with ICC President AKANE Tomoko. Please share your thoughts on the U.S. Government’s actions and tell us how the Government of Japan will be responding to this matter. Thank you.

Minister Iwaya: We are aware that, on June 5, the U.S. Government announced that it would additionally designate four individuals at the ICC for sanction measures against ICC officials.

For eradicating and preventing serious crimes and upholding the rule of law, Japan has consistently supported the ICC, which is the world's first-ever permanent international criminal court and to which Japan has sent Ms. Akane Tomoko to serve as its President.

We believe it is important that the ICC can continue fulfilling its mandate while maintaining its independence and ensuring its security.

From this perspective, Japan has urged the U.S. side at various levels about the U.S. sanctions against the ICC that you mentioned. I also raised this matter directly with Secretary of State Rubio.

Furthermore, I met with President Akane upon her return to Japan and conveyed that Japan will continue to strongly support the ICC. We will continue to address this matter appropriately while maintaining communication with President Akane and other States Parties.

Nikkei Shimbun, Baba: I would like to ask about the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) and the Japan-Italy Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA). Both were passed and approved at the plenary session of the House of Councillors today. Japan has been strengthening defense cooperation with both the Philippines and Italy. What is the significance of the two agreements and the strengthening of defense cooperation?

Minister Iwaya: As you indicated, the Japan-Philippines RAA and the Japan-Italy ACSA were approved, respectively, at the plenary session of the House of Councillors today, June 6. This means that all treaties submitted in the current Diet session have been passed. I would like to express my appreciation for the fervent deliberations at the Diet.

First, the Japan-Philippines RAA. This agreement establishes procedures for the activities that are conducted while the force of one country is visiting the other country and clarifies the legal status of the visiting force. It is intended to facilitate the implementation of cooperative activities between the forces, such as joint training and disaster relief, and improve interoperability between the forces.

The Philippines is a strategic partner located at a strategic juncture on the sea lanes and sharing values and principles with Japan. In recent years, Japan and the Philippines have strengthened security and defense cooperation. The Prime Minister has visited the Philippines, as well as myself and Minister of Defense Nakatani. Exchanges among high-level officials have become increasingly active.

Considering the current severe security environment in the Indo-Pacific, we believe it is vital to further deepen security and defense cooperation between Japan and the Philippines. We expect that the implementation of the Japan-Philippines RAA will further promote such cooperation and firmly support stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and we must ensure that it does.

The other agreement, the Japan-Italy ACSA, establishes a framework, such as the settlement procedures for the provision of supplies and services between the Self-Defense Forces and the Italian Armed Forces.

The agreement will facilitate the smooth reciprocal provision of supplies and services between the two forces, enabling closer cooperation on the ground where both are engaged in activities.

In recent years, cooperation between Japan and Italy in the fields of security and defense has made significant progress. The two countries are also set to jointly develop a fighter aircraft under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) framework.

The conclusion of this agreement is expected to further promote cooperation between the two countries in the field of security as well as actively contribute to peace and security in the region and the international community, and we will work in that direction.