Press Conferences

Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have a few announcements at the outset.

First is about my visit to the U.S.

I will visit the U.S. from June 30 and attend the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to be held in Washington, D.C. on July 1, hosted by the U.S.

The Quad is an initiative among four countries that share fundamental values to advance practical cooperation in a wide range of fields, including maritime security, economic security, and cybersecurity, toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”

Following on from the previous meeting in Washington, D.C. in January of this year, I would like to have a strategic and frank exchange of views with my fellow foreign ministers. Through the upcoming Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I intend to take this opportunity to demonstrate to the international community these four countries’ strong commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.

During my stay, I will hold the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Secretary of State Rubio. Foreign Ministers’ meetings with India and Australia are currently being arranged as well.

Minister Iwaya: Next is about the evacuation of Japanese nationals from Iran and Israel.

Japan strongly expects the faithful implementation of the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran. Japan will urge both parties to faithfully implement the ceasefire agreement and will continue to make all diplomatic efforts to reopen the path to dialogue, including talks between the U.S. and Iran.

In addition, ensuring the safety of Japanese nationals is an important role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). To date, we have safely evacuated a total of 128 people from Iran and Israel to Azerbaijan and Jordan.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone involved, including the Governments of Azerbaijan and Jordan, for their cooperation in evacuating Japanese nationals. The Government of Japan will continue to carefully monitor the situation in the region and take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals.

Minister Iwaya: The third announcement is about voting at diplomatic missions overseas for the regular election of the House of Councillors.

In conjunction with the 27th regular election of the House of Councillors, voting at Japan’s diplomatic missions, including embassies and consulates general around the world, will begin on July 4, the day after the official announcement of the election. The end date of voting will vary depending on each diplomatic mission but the earliest is July 11 and the latest is July 14.

MOFA will engage in PR activities to encourage Japanese nationals overseas to vote, thereby promoting their active and appropriate participation in the election.

That is all from me at the outset.

Sankei Shimbun, Matsumoto: I have a question regarding the comfort women issue. A statue symbolizing the comfort women issue is to be installed at a museum in Bonn in Germany, and an unveiling ceremony will be held soon. As in similar cases in the past, will the Government of Japan be seeking the removal of the statue? Please share with us the Government’s stance. Additionally, please tell us what efforts you believe will be necessary in the future to gain the understanding of the international community on the Government’s position on the comfort women issue, not limited to this case.

Minister Iwaya: We believe that the installation of the comfort woman statue you mentioned is extremely regrettable and is incompatible with the position and efforts of the Government of Japan thus far.

The Government has been reaching out to various people involved in this issue, explaining the position of Japan, and conveying its strong concerns. The same applies to Germany. We will continue to urge various people involved to take appropriate actions.

At the same time, Japan will continue to seize various opportunities to clearly explain to the international community our views on the comfort women issue and the sincere efforts we have made.

Nikkei Shimbun, Baba: I would like to ask about the NATO Summit. A dinner hosted by His Majesty the King of the Netherlands was held in conjunction with the NATO Summit. Some experts have expressed the view that you should have attended the dinner on behalf of Prime Minister Ishiba. I understand that the Deputy Prime Minister from Australia and the National Security Advisor from the Republic of Korea attended. Please tell us if there was any reason why you were unable to attend the dinner.

Minister Iwaya: Regarding the dinner hosted by Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Netherlands that you mentioned, we had been informed beforehand by the Government of the Netherlands that only the heads of state and government could attend.

Later, when it was decided that the Prime Minister would not be attending the NATO Summit, we confirmed once again with the Government of the Netherlands whether officials other than the head of state and government may attend. However, as we received the same explanation as before, it was decided that I would not attend out of respect for the host country’s position.

Chugoku Shimbun, Miyano: President Trump of the U.S. stated that the attack on Iranian nuclear facilities was “essentially the same thing” as the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki as it ended the war. President Trump seemed to be justifying the use of atomic bombs, suggesting they ended the war earlier. What are your thoughts on this statement? Please also tell us whether Japan has any plans to take any action toward the U.S. side, such as lodging a protest.

Minister Iwaya: As we have stated before, Japan is aware that the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki took so many precious lives and caused an extremely regrettable humanitarian situation in which people suffered indescribable sufferings due to illness and disabilities.

We also believe the use of nuclear weapons does not match the spirit of humanitarianism, which is the ideological foundation of international law, because of their tremendous destructive and lethal power.

Japan, as the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during war, believes it is important to continue building realistic and practical efforts toward achieving a world without nuclear weapons, based on the firm belief that the catastrophes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki must never be repeated.

Japan has conveyed this fundamental view on atomic bombings to the U.S. on numerous occasions, and we will continue to maintain close communication with the U.S. side.

Independent Web Journal, Hamamoto: I would like to follow up a question I asked at the previous press conference and was not answered. Israel is permitted to possess nuclear weapons, while Iran is not even permitted to enrich uranium. Even if Israel launches a preemptive strike in violation of international law, only Israel’s right to self-defense is recognized, while the right to self-defense of Iran, the side being attacked, is not recognized. This seems to me like discriminatory treatment against a non-nuclear-armed State. Moreover, Prime Minister Ishiba had firmly stated that Israel’s “preemptive attack” is completely unacceptable, but at the G7 Summit, he signed an unequal statement that specifically recognizes only Israel’s right to self-defense. Why did Japan, a non-nuclear-armed State and a country that stockpiles plutonium, sign this statement?

Minister Iwaya: First of all, we understand that Israel has neither confirmed nor denied possession of nuclear weapons. However, as Japan attaches importance to maintaining and strengthening the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, we have conveyed Japan’s position to the countries concerned, including Israel, on various occasions.

Japan has also consistently urged Israel to participate in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and will continue to make such diplomatic efforts.

As a matter of course, the document agreed upon at the G7 Summit contains not only the views of Japan. A leaders’ statement was issued based on discussions among the leaders in the wake of the exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran. In the statement, the leaders first reiterate the G7’s commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East, and in this context, affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. I would like you to understand that these sentences are not to recognize Israel’s series of actions as an exercise of its right to self-defense.

In the same document, the leaders affirm the importance of resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue.

Needless to say, Japan believes that it is extremely important to de-escalate the situation, and that the issue should be resolved through negotiation. Japan expects both Israel and Iran to faithfully implement the U.S.-proposed ceasefire agreement reached on June 24. Additionally, the E3 and various other countries are making efforts to reopen the path to dialogue, including talks between the U.S. and Iran, and we are also working on it. We will continue to make all necessary diplomatic efforts to ensure that this path to dialogue reopens.

Nikkei Shimbun, Baba: I would like to ask about fentanyl. A Nikkei investigation has found that a Chinese organization illicitly exporting the synthetic drug fentanyl to the U.S. may have had a base in Japan. Please share with us your thoughts on this situation, the Government’s future response, and your view on how it will affect Japan-U.S. relations, including the tariff negotiations.

Minister Iwaya: We are aware of the Nikkei report you mentioned, but I would like to state that Japan maintains strict control of drugs, including fentanyl, as you are aware. We have taken appropriate measures thus far, from the standpoint that we will never tolerate the manufacture, sale, possession, and use of illegal drugs, including this synthetic drug, as well as their unauthorized imports and exports.

On this basis, Japan believes it important to cut off illegal international manufacturing and distribution network of fentanyl to prevent further harm.

To this end, international cooperation is, needless to say, essential. We intend to continue making proactive efforts toward the total eradication of illegal drugs, including fentanyl, working together with the countries concerned, including the U.S., as well as international organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). At this stage, we do not believe there will be any impact on Japan-U.S. relations or the Japan-U.S. consultation that you asked about.