Press Conferences

Foreign Minister Mr. IWAYA Takeshi: President Boluarte of Peru is currently visiting Japan from August 6 to 10 on the occasion of the National Day of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. This evening, I will hold a Foreign Ministers’ meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Schialer, who is accompanying the President on her visit to Japan.

Japan and Peru have enjoyed amicable relations for over 150 years and are strategic partners that share values and principles. On this occasion, with a view to further strengthening Japan-Peru relations, I look forward to discussing our bilateral relations, as well as regional and international affairs, among other matters.

That concludes my opening remarks.

NHK, KAWAMURA: I have a question on tariff measures. The U.S. has imposed a uniform 15% tariff rate on top of existing rates, without reflecting the agreement recently reached between Japan and the U.S. Regarding this situation, Minister AKAZAWA, during his visit to Washington, D.C., revealed that the U.S. side explained it would take measures to correct the executive order in a timely manner. Minister AKAZAWA explained that he has also confirmed that another executive order would be issued to reduce tariffs on automobiles and other items at the same time. Please share your views on this.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Minister AKAZAWA, who is currently visiting the U.S., reconfirmed the contents of the recent bilateral agreement with his U.S. counterparts and confirmed the importance of implementing the agreement swiftly and in good faith.

A new executive order on reciprocal tariffs has been in effect since August 7. Throughout the consultations, there have been no discrepancies in understanding between Japan and the U.S. regarding the contents of the agreement on reciprocal tariffs. In other words, the 15% tariff rate will not be imposed on items with an existing tariff rate of 15% or higher. For items with a tariff rate under 15%, a 15% tariff rate, including the existing tariff rate, will be imposed. The tariff rate will be aligned at 15% for all items. There are no discrepancies in understanding on this between Japan and the U.S. Minister AKAZAWA repeatedly confirmed this point with U.S. officials.

It is extremely regrettable that, during internal administrative procedures on the U.S. side, an executive order on reciprocal tariffs that was not in line with the Japan-U.S. agreement was issued and put into effect. On this point, U.S. officials have also expressed their regret over the recent U.S. procedures.

Furthermore, the U.S. side explained to Minister AKAZAWA during his visit to the U.S. that it would take measures to correct the executive order on reciprocal tariffs in a timely manner, and that, in doing so, any reciprocal tariffs collected since August 7 in excess of the rate agreed between Japan and the U.S. would be refunded retroactively to the 7th. In other words, the correction would have a “retroactive effect.”

It was also confirmed that, at the same time as taking measures to correct the executive order on reciprocal tariffs, the U.S. side would issue an executive order to reduce tariffs on automobiles and automobile parts.

Japan will continue to urge the U.S. side, through every possible means, to take corrective measures on the executive order on reciprocal tariffs as soon as possible, and to issue an executive order to reduce tariffs on automobiles and automobile parts.

Sankei Shimbun, MATSUMOTO: Tomorrow, August 9, will mark 80 years since the former Soviet Union opened war with Japan. Please tell us once again how the Government of Japan perceives this military action, which violated the Japan-Soviet Neutrality Pact at the time. In addition, the Four Northern Islands continue to be illegally occupied by Russia. While Japan-Russia relations are in a difficult situation due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, what efforts does Japan intend to make toward resolving the Northern Territories issue?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: The former Soviet Union’s entry into the war against Japan on August 9, 1945, constitutes a clear violation of the Japan-Soviet Neutrality Pact, which was still in effect at the time. Furthermore, following its entry into the war, the Soviet Union continued its offensive even after Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration and made clear its intent to surrender, and occupied the Northern Territories, which are an inherent territory of Japan.

In light of these circumstances, any attempt by the Government of Russia to justify the Soviet Union’s entry into the war against Japan is totally unacceptable.

The Government of Russia’s self-righteous claims regarding the Soviet Union’s unreasonable declaration of war on Japan are unacceptable.

Regarding efforts toward resolving the Northern Territories issue, in March 2022, after Russia began its aggression against Ukraine, the Russian side unilaterally announced that it would not continue the negotiations for a peace treaty. Since then, Russia still has not agreed at all to the resumption of negotiations. Therefore, regrettably, the current circumstances do not permit us to provide clear prospects for the peace treaty negotiations.

Nonetheless, the Government of Japan will uphold its policy of resolving the issue of the attribution of the Four Northern Islands and concluding a peace treaty. While Japan-Russia relations remain in a difficult situation, Japan intends to continue the necessary communication with Russia. We will continue persistent communication with the Russian side to resolve the situation.

Nikkei Shimbun, BABA: I would like to ask about TICAD. Japan launched a development conference with Africa ahead of other countries, and the conference now has a history of more than 30 years. Amid concerns over issues such as “debt traps” caused by massive investments in Africa, Japan has continued to provide assistance tailored to each country. Please share your views on the weight of this history and on strengths unique to Japan. In addition, TICAD is becoming a forum not only for intergovernmental collaboration but also for business matchmaking. I would also like to hear your views on the role that TICAD can play in promoting the entry of Japanese companies into African markets and cooperation between Japanese and African companies.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: TICAD 9 is fast approaching. I believe TICAD, which Japan launched in 1993, was among the first initiatives to draw an international attention to Africa.

In addition, I consider TICAD to have played a pioneering role as an international conference on African development. While various countries have since launched similar conferences, I recall that it was Japan that first initiated such efforts. Based on Africa’s ownership and partnerships with the international community, Japan has provided tailored support, as you mentioned, toward the achievement of Africa-led sustainable development for more than 30 years. This, I believe, is indeed a strength unique to Japan’s TICAD.

I visited Senegal this April. There, I visited the Vocational and Technical Training Center. During the visit, our hosts expressed high appreciation for Japan’s assistance, describing Japan’s development model as an exemplary ― teaching people how to fish rather than simply giving them fish. Japan does not only provide funds and supplies. Japan also develops human resources, which are important above all else, and works together with recipient countries to solve problems and challenges. I believe these are the characteristics of Japan’s initiatives.

We hope that TICAD 9, which will commence on August 20, will serve as an opportunity to jointly create innovative solutions that contribute to the prosperity of both Japan and Africa, leveraging Japan’s technology and expertise, including AI and digital transformation, under the theme of “Co-create Innovative Solutions.” This is not about unilaterally providing aid or assistance to African countries. Rather, as African countries continue to grow, we want to make it an opportunity for Japan and African countries to co-create solutions to challenges. Throughout the conference, we would like to coordinate with many private companies to support sustainable growth led by the private sector.

Through the “Public-Private Business Dialogue,” ceremonies for the numerous cooperation documents to be signed, and the approximately 300 exhibition booths and more than 200 thematic events, among other events, to be held during the conference, we would like to provide diverse opportunities that bring together the public and private sectors from both sides, as well as private companies. We hope to make the upcoming TICAD 9 an opportunity to strengthen new partnerships and business development between Japan and Africa.

Kyodo News, SAKAGUCHI: August 15 of next week will mark 80 years since the end of World War II. In conjunction with this anniversary, do you have any plans to visit Yasukuni Shrine or make a ritual tamagushi offering? Thank you.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: I have no plans to either visit Yasukuni Shrine or make a ritual offering of tamagushi.

NHK, KAWAMURA: The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will convene a Joint Plenary Meeting of Party Members of Both Houses of the Diet today. What kind of discussions are you expecting? Will you be attending the meeting today? If so, what kind of remarks will you be making?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: First of all, I will be attending the meeting. However, since I am a member of the Cabinet, I intend to refrain from making remarks in principle. That being said, if I may speak outside of my capacity as a Minister, I expect that all responsible LDP members will arrive at a shared understanding that political stagnation cannot be allowed in Japan at this critical juncture.