Press Conferences

Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi: This is the first visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan by a Japanese Foreign Minister in three years and my own first visit to these countries.

In Kazakhstan, I received a very warm welcome from Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of Foreign Affairs Nurtleu. During the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, we confirmed our intention to deepen cooperation in areas including sustainable development as well as nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. In addition, we concurred on further developing bilateral relations by working together in economic areas, including mineral resources and attracting Japanese companies.

Furthermore, we held a candid exchange of views on regional and international issues, such as the situation in Russia and Ukraine as well as the situation in East Asia. We confirmed that both Japan and Kazakhstan would work to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Additionally, I made a courtesy call on President Tokayev. I also signed and exchanged notes on grant aid for the Economic and Social Development Programme to provide support for victims of nuclear testing in Kazakhstan.

At my next destination, Uzbekistan, I again received a very warm welcome from Minister of Foreign Affairs Saidov. A short while ago, Minister Saidov and I held the first Japan-Uzbekistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue.

Through this visit, Japan and Uzbekistan concurred on further strengthening cooperation in various areas such as politics, economic relations, and development cooperation. In Uzbekistan, too, we confirmed that our two countries will continue to work closely together as strategic partners in maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law. Furthermore, we signed a Joint Communique outlining the direction of future cooperation between the two countries.

Moreover, documents on two grant aid projects were signed on this occasion. One will provide support to young government officials to study in Japan. The other will aim at supporting the self-reliance of vulnerable people in the border region of Afghanistan. Through these projects, Japan will continue to support the sustainable development of Uzbekistan.

This afternoon, I made a courtesy call on President Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan. The President expressed his high expectation for strengthening relations with Japan. I conveyed my willingness to further develop relations with Uzbekistan, taking the Japan-Uzbekistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, which was held for the first time today, as an opportunity.

The Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan and I concurred on accelerating coordination in order to hold the first Summit meeting of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue, which was postponed last year, as early as possible. We intend to realize this Summit meeting at an early date and elevate the cooperation level between Japan and Central Asia to even greater heights.

Amid the significant changes in the international situation, this visit has made me acutely aware that the geopolitical importance of Central Asia is growing ever greater. Japan will seek to further develop its relations with Central Asian countries through frameworks such as the “Central Asia plus Japan” dialogue.

Reporter: You held Foreign Ministers’ meetings in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Please share with us the results of this visit and how you intend to build on it for the future. In addition, please tell us about the status of the coordination regarding the date and venue of the Summit meeting with Central Asia that was postponed last year.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Amid the major changes in the international situation, this visit has enabled me to demonstrate Japan’s strong will to further strengthen relations with Central Asia through frameworks such as the “Central Asia plus Japan” dialogue. In addition, with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, we confirmed the importance of jointly upholding a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Furthermore, through my exchanges of views with the governments and with Japanese people in both countries, I sensed the strong ties between Japan and Central Asia, rooted in history. Additionally, while challenges remain, such as the need to strengthen connectivity, I was made acutely aware of the great potential that exists in areas such as the economy and trade. I intend to leverage and fully materialize this potential through future initiatives. By following up on this visit, Japan will strive to further strengthen its relations with both countries, which are our strategic partners.

Regarding the Summit meeting of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue, as I stated in my opening remarks, the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and I agreed to hold it as early as possible. We intend to accelerate coordination on this meeting. I will make every effort to ensure that this Summit meeting is realized at an early date and that the level of cooperation between Japan and Central Asia is elevated to greater heights.

Reporter: During this visit, you exchanged views with the Presidents and other officials of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. How did you explain Japan’s position to them, and how will Japan be addressing the situation going forward?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: I clearly conveyed Japan’s position that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine constitutes a clear violation of international law and that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force should not be tolerated. In addition, Japan and Kazakhstan, as well as Japan and Uzbekistan, concurred on the importance of the rule of law centered on the principles of international law, including the United Nations (UN) Charter.

In any case, various diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire or peace are currently underway. Such efforts must not lead to the drawing of the wrong precedent, which would have extremely serious consequences for the security of the Indo-Pacific and the entire world. Japan will continue to strongly call on Russia to take positive actions toward the realization of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as early as possible and will make efforts in close coordination with the international community.

Reporter: I would like to ask about political issues. To confirm intentions for holding an early Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election, the LDP Presidential Election Administration Committee decided at today’s meeting that it will ask Party Diet members and representatives of Prefectural Party Federation branches who support an early election to submit signed responses, and that it will publicly disclose the names afterward. This confirmation of intentions is scheduled to take place in early September, after the joint plenary session of both houses of the Diet on September 2, at which the review of the result of the recent House of Councillors election will be reported. The Prime Minister’s diplomatic schedule in the coming months includes Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Japan, the UN General Assembly in September, and the APEC Leaders’ Meeting in October. What are your views on the advisability of moving the presidential election forward and its impact on the upcoming diplomatic schedules?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: The presidential election will be conducted in accordance with the LDP Constitution, and I believe the discussions will proceed in a steady manner. Therefore, I would like to refrain from responding in my capacity as Foreign Minister.

That being said, President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea recently visited Japan, and Prime Minister Modi of India will visit Japan from August 29 to August 30. Furthermore, the UN General Assembly will convene in September. The APEC meeting will also be held in October. Important diplomatic events will continue to take place. In this context, I strongly believe that we must not cause any stagnation in domestic politics or in diplomacy. The security environment surrounding Japan is at its most severe and complex since the end of World War II, and the international situation is changing day by day. In these times, I believe pursuing stable and consistent foreign and security policies is the highest priority for the nation and the people, and therefore, I intend to do my utmost to fulfill this mission.