Press Conferences

Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Today, August 5, I will visit Hiroshima to attend the Memorial Ceremony for the Atomic Bomb Victims and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 6. In addition, I will visit Nagasaki on August 9 to attend the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Victims Memorial and Peace Prayer Ceremony.

With a firm determination to continue making efforts toward realizing a world without nuclear weapons, I intend to reverently express my sincere condolences to the souls of those who perished in the atomic bombings.

That concludes my opening remarks.

Yomiuri Shimbun, UEMURA: I would like to ask about your meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Kachka of Ukraine yesterday. At the outset of the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister mentioned the exchange regarding the transfer of defense equipment and other supplies during the Japan-Ukraine summit meeting. Could you tell us what kind of discussions took place on this matter and other issues during yesterday’s series of meetings with the Ukrainian side? Thank you.

Minister IWAYA: I would like to refrain from disclosing any remarks made by the Ukrainian side or the specific details of yesterday’s meetings.

That being said, as is well known, the overseas transfer of Japan’s defense equipment has been undertaken strictly and meticulously based on the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology. In order to support Ukraine, which is under aggression by Russia, Japan has provided equipment permissible within the scope of the Three Principles. For example, such equipment include high mobility vehicles and protective gear.

Japan will continually examine what kind of defense equipment cooperation would be possible with Ukraine, including defense equipment transfers. At this stage, there is nothing specific underway.

Nikkei Shimbun, BABA: I would like to ask about the negotiations on U.S. tariff measures. Minister AKAZAWA will visit the U.S. from today. At the Budget Committee meeting, Prime Minister ISHIBA also made clear that his visit to the U.S. would be considered within the Government. Please share your views once again on what sort of diplomatic efforts are needed by the Government of Japan to implement the agreement on lowering the automobile tariffs. In addition, Secretary of the Treasury Bessent has stated that the agreement, including Japanese investments in the U.S. accompanying the tariff reduction, will be reviewed every quarter. At what level and in what fora does the Government of Japan plan to report on the progress of its implementation?

Minister IWAYA: For automobiles and automobile parts, we have reached an agreement to reduce by half the 25% additional tariff imposed since April, bringing the total tariff rate to 15%, including the rate that was already in place.

The automobile industry is a pillar of Japan’s manufacturing industry, employing 5.5 million people, and is also Japan’s key industry supported by an extensive supply chain that includes many small and medium-sized enterprises. Therefore, the Government will continue taking various opportunities to urge the U.S. side to swiftly take the measures to implement the recent agreement, including the reduction of tariffs on automobiles and automobile parts.

While I am aware of Treasury Secretary Bessent’s remarks that you mentioned, I would like to refrain from commenting on them individually. My understanding is that the negotiations to date have not specifically discussed how to manage the implementation of the agreement.

In any case, it is extremely important for both Japan and the U.S. to faithfully and steadily implement the agreement and quickly produce results that promote mutual benefits. Based on the Prime Minister’s instructions, under the Comprehensive Response Taskforce regarding U.S. Tariff Measures, we will carefully manage the progress of implementing the Japan-U.S. agreement, including urging a reduction in U.S. tariff rates.

Kyodo News, SAKAGUCHI: I would like to ask about the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony you mentioned in your opening remarks. Tomorrow will mark 80 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. This also means that 80 years have passed since Japan became the first country to have suffered an atomic bombing during war. While a world without nuclear weapons has not been realized yet, and Japan depends on nuclear deterrence, I would like to ask once again what efforts Japan will make toward the realization of a world without nuclear weapons.

Minister IWAYA: In the current severe security environment, the path toward a world without nuclear weapons is becoming even more challenging. However, and precisely because of this, Japan, as the only country to have suffered atomic bombings during war, is determined to lead international efforts by taking every possible action.

Yesterday, I met with Dr. Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), and H.E. Mr. Viet, Candidate for President of the Eleventh NPT Review Conference, respectively. Both were invited to Japan as part of the efforts I just described. During the meetings, we exchanged views candidly toward the realization of a world without nuclear weapons and confirmed that we would strengthen our collaboration.

Japan will continue taking every possible action to realize a world without nuclear weapons through a realistic and practical approach, under the NPT regime, in which both nuclear-armed States and non-nuclear-armed States participate.

NHK, KAWAMURA: The Government of Australia has announced that it selected Japan’s proposal as the best candidate for its project to introduce new frigates, for which Japan has proposed the joint development aimed at the overseas transfer of its state‑of‑the‑art frigates. Could you please share your thoughts on this?

Minister IWAYA: We are aware that, as you just indicated, the Government of Australia announced today that it selected the “2024 model frigate,” an upgraded model of Japan’s Mogami-class frigate, as Australia’s new general-purpose frigates.

I believe this selection represents a huge step in elevating the security cooperation with Australia, a Special Strategic Partner, to greater heights, and will have a significantly positive impact on Japan-Australia relations as a whole. I sincerely welcome this decision.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Defense, other relevant ministries and agencies, and related companies for steadily moving this project forward, including the conclusion of the final contract.

Yomiuri Shimbun, UEMURA: I have a question concerning the situation in China. Amid recent developments in China, including the release of a film on the Nanjing Incident, MOFA has issued warnings about rising anti-Japanese sentiment. Recently, there was an incident in Suzhou in which a Japanese mother and child were attacked. Vigilance toward anti-Japanese sentiment is needed even now, 80 years after the end of the war. How do you perceive and view this situation, and how do you intend to engage in Japan-China diplomacy going forward? Thank you.

Minister IWAYA: First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt sympathies to those affected by the incident in Suzhou. The Government has already strongly urged and will continue to urge China to strictly punish the suspect, prevent similar incidents from occurring, and ensure the safety of Japanese nationals residing in China. On that basis, we will continue making every effort to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in coordination with Chinese authorities.

In addition, this year marks 80 years since the end of the war. Each country inevitably has a different position and view regarding this 80-year mark. This is unavoidable. While there have been various related developments in China, including the release of the film you mentioned, I would like to refrain from commenting on each of these developments.

However, that being said, for the past 80 years since the end of the war, Japan has consistently followed the path of a peaceful nation that upholds freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, with the determination never to repeat the devastation of war. We will continue to follow this path. This goes without saying.

Japan and China have confirmed that the two countries will advance in the direction of comprehensively promoting a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests” and building “constructive and stable Japan-China relations.” Based on this approach, we will build relations in which the two countries can work with each other on the various challenges facing the international community.