Press Conferences

Mr. KITAMURA Toshihiro, Press Secretary: I have an announcement at the outset. This week, there have been several dignitary visits related to the Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, Japan (the Osaka-Kansai Expo) and I would like to take this opportunity to introduce them.

First, Prime Minister Ishiba held summit meetings with President Nausėda of Lithuania on Monday, June 9, and with President Arévalo of Guatemala yesterday, Tuesday, June 10 respectively, and confirmed further cooperation toward maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

In addition, Foreign Minister Iwaya held a meeting this morning with Minister of Foreign Affairs Martínez of Guatemala and confirmed further strengthening of the relations between the two countries, following yesterday’s summit meeting that elevated bilateral relations to a “Strategic Partnership.”

Later this evening, a Japan-Finland summit meeting is scheduled to be held. Moreover, the President of Kosovo is currently visiting Japan, and visits by dignitaries such as the Prime Minister of Mozambique and the President of Germany have already been announced.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to take these opportunities to discuss various challenges facing the international community and strengthen bilateral relations.

That is all from me at the outset.

NHK, Tanii: I would like to ask about the protests taking place in the U.S. Demonstrations over the Trump administration’s immigration policy have turned violent in Los Angeles, and a curfew has been imposed in some areas. There are also indications that demonstrations are spreading to other cities across the U.S. Please share with us whether there have been any reports of harm to Japanese people so far. Please also tell us how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to protect Japanese citizens.

Press Secretary Kitamura: Since there are many Japanese citizens living or traveling in the U.S., the Government of Japan has been closely monitoring the developments in protest activities in Los Angeles and other parts of the U.S. with grave interest.

The Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles has been issuing consular emails as needed, warning people not to go near places where protest activities are taking place. Furthermore, in response to the curfew issued by the mayor of Los Angeles, we have been calling on Japanese citizens living or traveling there to promptly return to their homes or hotels.

The Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles has issued a total of five consular emails thus far. The Consulate-General of Japan in San Francisco has also issued two consular emails so far, making similar warnings. Moreover, as you pointed out, given the information that protest activities are taking place in various parts of the U.S., the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters last night issued an alert through spot information to Japanese residents in the entire U.S.

Regarding harm to Japanese citizens that you asked about, we have received no reports of any Japanese citizens being harmed thus far. The Government will continue to closely follow the situation and take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens.