Press Conferences

Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi: President Mulino of Panama is visiting Japan from September 2 to September 7 on the occasion of Panama’s National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. On September 8, I will hold a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Martínez-Acha, who is accompanying the President on his visit.

Japan and Panama have maintained friendly relations for 121 years. Located at the crossroads of the South and North American continents and of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Panama—which hosts the Panama Canal—is an important like-minded partner of Japan.

Together with Panama, with whom we have laid the foundation of a free and open ocean, we will confirm our cooperation toward maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law, including maritime order.

That concludes my opening remarks.

Jiji Press, CHIBA: I would like to ask about tariff measures. President Trump signed an executive order that explicitly states reduction of automobile tariffs and special treatment on reciprocal tariffs under the Japan-U.S. agreement. First, please tell us your views, having held discussions with the U.S. as a member of the negotiation team of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). In addition, please share with us your assessment of the joint document and the memorandum on investment, which have been confirmed in writing.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: The Government of Japan has strongly urged the United States through every possible channel to issue an executive order concerning tariffs applied to Japan at the earliest possible time, in line with the agreement between Japan and the United States announced on July 22.

As a result of these efforts, President Trump signed the executive order on September 4 (U.S. time).

Accordingly, with respect to reciprocal tariffs, it was formally established that a uniform tariff of 15% would not be applied in addition, with retroactive effect from August 7, when the previous executive order entered into force. In other words, items already subject to a tariff rate of 15% or higher will not be affected, while items subject to a tariff rate of less than 15% will be subject to a uniform tariff of 15%, including the existing rate.

In addition, tariffs on automobiles and automobile parts will be reduced from 25% to 15%. For these products as well, the 15% rate will not be applied in addition to the existing rate.

Furthermore, aircraft and aircraft parts will not be subject to reciprocal or sector-specific tariffs.

Japan welcomes this executive order as marking the steady implementation by the United States of the bilateral agreement reached on July 22.

Concerning the investment initiative agreed upon on July 22, under which Japan will invest USD 550 billion in the United States in sectors such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and energy, Secretary of Commerce Lutnick and Minister AKAZAWA have signed a memorandum to confirm the common understanding between Japan and the United States.

We expect that investments made in line with this initiative will promote the mutual interests of Japan and the United States, namely, contributing to the further strengthening of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, ensuring economic security, and significantly boosting Japan’s economic growth.

I believe that the issuance of these documents is meaningful from the perspective of providing detailed explanations to ensure the broad public understanding.

Nikkei Shimbun, BABA: I would like to ask about the “Sado Island Gold Mines” memorial ceremony. The Republic of Korea (ROK) has announced that it would not attend this month’s memorial ceremony, following on from last year. In inscribing this site on the UNESCO World Heritage List, one of the items agreed upon with the ROK side was this ceremony. Do you think that the ROK’s decision to not attend the ceremony for the second consecutive year will create a rift in Japan-ROK relations? How will Japan be reaching out to the ROK side to attend this ceremony? Furthermore, it has been reported on the ROK side that the ROK is not attending because the forced mobilization of workforce from the Korean Peninsula was not mentioned in Japan’s memorial address. If there is a gap in the positions and perceptions between Japan and ROK, does Japan plan to make efforts to bridge this gap going forward?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: The memorial ceremony you referred to will be organized by the local Executive Committee, in accordance with the statement made by the Japanese delegation at the session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO last year, where it was decided to inscribe the “Sado Island Gold Mines” on the World Heritage List.

The Government, in coordination with the local Executive Committee as the host of the ceremony, has been communicating closely and carefully with the Government of the Republic of Korea. I am not in a position to comment on the ROK side’s decision, and I would like to refrain from further comment. That being said, President Lee Jae Myung visited Japan recently, and the Summit meeting was conducted in a cordial atmosphere. I believe that overall, Japan-ROK relations are on a positive trajectory.

In this context, to advance Japan-ROK relations in a stable manner, I believe, it is essential that thorough and careful communication be maintained between the two sides. With regard to this matter as well, we have been engaging with the ROK in that spirit. Going forward, Japan will continue to strive to communicate carefully and closely with the ROK side.

Yomiuri Shimbun, KURIYAMA: I would like to ask about Japan’s current assessment on the issue of recognizing Palestinian statehood. A leaders’ meeting on the question of Palestine is scheduled to be held in New York, U.S., in conjunction with the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. Does Japan have any intention to express its position on such occasions? In addition, do you consider that Palestine meets the requirements for the recognition of statehood? Thank you.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: We are closely following the developments of the international discussions on the question of recognizing Palestinian statehood, including the meeting which will coincide with the UN General Assembly in New York that you mentioned with serious concern.

Japan has consistently supported a two-state solution to the issue of Israel and Palestine. We have not changed our position. On this basis, with a view toward fostering peace, Japan is conducting a serious and comprehensive assessment of what would be most appropriate and effective and what would truly lead to a two-state solution. Japan is continuing a comprehensive assessment of the issue of recognizing Palestinian statehood, including the appropriate timing and modalities.

I do not intend to comment on requirements for the recognition, but I believe that Japan must make a comprehensive judgment, including such aspects.

Asahi Shimbun, KATO: I have a question on the spread of misinformation about “JICA Africa Hometown.” I believe MOFA has been making efforts to disseminate accurate information through press releases and an extraordinary press conference by the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs. How do you view the circumstances leading to the spread of such misinformation, in other words, the changes and trends in Japanese public opinion toward foreign nationals? Additionally, could you please explain MOFA’s policy on foreign countries and foreign nationals, particularly about how MOFA intends to disseminate information on Japanese development assistance and human resource exchanges?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: As I have always stated, I believe that Japan must be a country that is open to the world. Domestically, the birthrate is declining, and the population is aging and shrinking. In order to ensure Japan’s transition to a growth-oriented economy under these circumstances, it is important to incorporate overseas vitality, such as by accepting foreign human resources to a certain extent and expanding inbound tourism consumption.

At the same time, I am aware that there have been some instances in which crimes, disruptive behavior, or the inappropriate use of various Japanese programs by some foreign nationals have given rise to feelings of unease or unfairness among Japanese people.

Considering such perspectives, MOFA intends to work with relevant ministries and agencies and fulfill an active role for realizing an orderly, intercultural, and cohesive society with foreign nationals, a society where Japanese and foreign nationals respect one another and lead safe and secure lives.

Regarding the latter question on human resource exchanges, Japan has been implementing official development assistance (ODA) with the objectives of contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the international community, as well as contributing to the realization of Japan’s national interests, such as securing peace and security for Japan and achieving Japan’s economic growth and prosperity.

In particular, people-to-people exchanges, such as the dispatch of Japanese experts to developing countries and the acceptance of trainees from developing countries, play a part in “visible Japanese support.”

We have been making efforts to conduct easy-to-understand policy communications on the significance of ODA, including human resource exchanges, through social media, videos, and other means targeting a broad range of audience. We will redouble our efforts to obtain the understanding, acceptance, and empathy of the Japanese people.

Regarding “JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Africa Hometown”, we have already provided a full explanation. However, I would like to express my regret that our initial response was somewhat delayed.

Mainichi Shimbun, TADOKORO: My question is related to the first question on the tariff executive order. At the press conference following the House of Councillors election, Prime Minister ISHIBA gave the absence of an executive order on tariffs as one of the reasons for staying on as Prime Minister. Following the issuance of the executive order, some LDP members are calling on Prime Minister ISHIBA to announce his resignation as his grand finale. Do you view this argument to be valid? What is your assessment?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: I disagree with such arguments. We are at the starting point in a sense. Minister AKAZAWA stated that at last, during his 10th visit to the United States, the executive order has been issued formally and the documents, including the one on Japanese investment initiative, have been signed. The fact that the reciprocal tariff is set at a uniform 15% rate has positive aspects, but its impact on the Japanese economy will be very significant, affecting it broadly and extensively. From here on, we need to take measures to address such impact and respond to the U.S. tariff policy overall. I believe any delays in this process must not be allowed.

Kyodo News, AYUKAWA: I have a slightly related regarding political affairs. The Minister of Justice has expressed his support for moving the LDP presidential election forward, and he is the first Cabinet member to do so. First, I would like to ask again whether there is no change in your position that moving the election forward is unnecessary and that Party members should support Prime Minister ISHIBA, as you explained during the press conference in Kuwait. Second, with some Cabinet members and veteran Party members expressing their support for moving the election forward, how do you view the discussions within the Party over a presidential election? Third, it is rumored that Prime Minister ISHIBA may dissolve the House of Representatives if it is decided to move the election forward. Do you believe that such a move will gain the public understanding?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: First of all, regarding the matter of the Minister of Justice, I have not been directly informed and would like to refrain from making comments.

That being said, I would like to respond to your question outside my capacity as Foreign Minister. Needless to say, Japan is now in a situation that may rightly be described as a national crisis, and challenging issues are mounting at home and abroad. I believe what is required of politics is to grapple with these challenges and find answers. Even if a presidential election is held, it will not change the fact that the ruling parties are the minority in both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. In this severe situation, it is incumbent on us to move Japane’s politics forward. For the nation and the people, we need to grapple with challenging issues before us and find answers.

The raison d’etre of politics is to serve not the LDP but the nation and the people. In the current challenging situation, what is demanded of the LDP is to fulfill its responsibility as the leading party to move politics forward and not allow Japan to come to a standstill. Only by fulfilling this responsibility can the LDP regain the trust of the people. That is my opinion. Regarding the question on dissolution, that is certainly an exclusive right of the Prime Minister, and therefore, I would like to refrain from responding to your question.