Press Conferences

Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi: Today, I held the first Japan-Bahrain Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with H.E. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, who is visiting Japan.

Cooperation between Japan and Bahrain has extended beyond the energy sector to encompass a wide range of fields, including politics and security, environment, information and communications technology, space, and culture. During the Strategic Dialogue, we confirmed our shared commitment to further strengthen these bilateral relations.

We also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, including the situation in Gaza and the Iranian nuclear issue, as well as on the Indo-Pacific situation. We concurred on the importance of continuing to work closely together on these issues.

Additionally, as I have been stating before, diplomacy must not be allowed to stagnate due to the domestic political situation. I will continue to devote my utmost effort until the very end of my mandate to pursue stable and consistent foreign and security policies, as well as “diplomacy of dialogue and harmony.”

That concludes my opening remarks.

Kyodo News, AYUKAWA: I have a question regarding the Japan-Bahrain Strategic Dialogue you mentioned in your opening remarks. Please share with us what recognition or thoughts you conveyed regarding the situation in Gaza and the Iranian nuclear issue?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Both issues, understandably, came up in the discussion.

Regarding the situation in Gaza, during today’s Strategic Dialogue, I conveyed our concern over the further worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as Japan’s position of consistently supporting a two-state solution. Japan and Bahrain also agreed to continue working closely together.

We recognize that the current devastation in Gaza cannot be ignored, and that any acts that undermine the foundation of a two-state solution are unacceptable. I conveyed the position of Japan before we exchanged views. As this is diplomatic communication, I would like to refrain from disclosing further details.

We discussed the Iranian nuclear issue as well. While emphasizing the importance of resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue, I conveyed that Japan is urging Iran to resume consultations with the U.S. as early as possible and resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Bahrain also explained various diplomatic efforts it is making.

On this Iranian nuclear issue as well, I would like to refrain from going into details. Japan intends to continue to make necessary diplomatic efforts and work closely together with Bahrain.

Nikkei Shimbun, BABA: I have a question regarding the LDP presidential election and diplomacy. As you briefly mentioned in your opening remarks, the LDP is making arrangements to hold a full-scale presidential election on October 4. The Prime Minister will be elected thereafter through the Diet’s designation process. However, now that the LDP is a minority ruling party in both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, it is not necessarily the case that the LDP President will become the Prime Minister. Please share your thoughts on how the continuing political vacuum, in which we do not know who will be the next Prime Minister, will affect diplomacy.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: With issues and challenges mounting both at home and overseas, obviously, there must be no stagnation in politics, and there must not be any impact on diplomacy and security.

Japan currently faces the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II (WWII). Therefore, Japan needs to conduct proactive diplomacy to lead the international community toward dialogue and harmony. In this sense, it is necessary to establish a new administration as quickly as possible and carry out diplomacy in a stable manner.

So long as I remain in this position, I am determined to do my utmost until the very last second, in close coordination with our ally and like-minded countries, to achieve peace in Japan and regional stability, to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), and to rebuild the faltering international order.

Yomiuri Shimbun, UEMURA: On September 11, it will be 100 days since Mr. Lee Jae Myung became President of the ROK. How does the Government of Japan assess President Lee’s diplomatic approach toward Japan over this period? Additionally, Prime Minister ISHIBA announced his resignation the other day, and attention is now focused on whether Japan-ROK relations will remain favorable without any setback under the new Prime Minister. In this context, how do you intend to work on to ensure a smooth succession of diplomatic relations between the two countries?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Since its inauguration, the ISHIBA administration has followed the previous Kishida administration’s policy of working to improve Japan-ROK relations, and we understand that Japan-ROK relations are currently in an extremely favorable state. In June, the new administration in the ROK was inaugurated. In July, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun visited Japan, and last month, President Lee Jae Myung visited Japan as the destination for his first bilateral visit since taking office. I was present at the Summit meeting and felt that it was a very cordial and fruitful meeting.

I view it commendable, desirable and favorable that the Japanese and ROK Governments are communicating closely and maintaining a good underlying trend.

Furthermore, I am aware that yesterday, a defense ministerial meeting between Minister of Defense NAKATANI and Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-Back was held in the ROK.

On the occasion of the recent Japan-ROK Summit meeting, the two leaders concurred to significantly develop Japan-ROK relations in a future-oriented and stable manner, based on the foundation of Japan-ROK relations which have been established since the normalization of Japan-ROK relations in 1965.

In the current strategic environment, the importance of both Japan-ROK relations and Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation is further increasing. Building on the outcomes of the recent Summit meeting, the Japanese and ROK Governments will communicate closely to ensure that the bilateral relationship continues to advance.

Jiji Press, CHIBA: I would like to ask about the UN General Assembly High-level Week. At yesterday morning’s press briefing, I believe you stated that you plan to attend the UN General Assembly with the Prime Minister. Could you explain again the current status of coordination as well as significance of your attendance? In addition, I understand that a conference on Palestine is scheduled to be held on the 22nd. Please tell us whether the Prime Minister will be attending this conference and explaining Japan’s position on recognizing Palestinian statehood.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: The UN General Assembly is an extremely important diplomatic opportunity so I believe we must respond to it appropriately.

The UN General Assembly High-level Week is a key occasion where many leaders, foreign ministers, and others have close communication and strengthen cooperation through in-person discussions on urgent international and regional challenges. As such, I believe Japan should not miss this opportunity.

My attendance is not yet decided, but I would like you to understand that arrangements are being made for me to attend the UN General Assembly if circumstances permit, and arrangements for Prime Minister ISHIBA to visit New York are also being made if various circumstances permit.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: My question is about the Middle East. Japan has called to disarm Hamas. What is the background of this request, and how do you think or do you suggest disarming Hamas should be conducted. At the same time, Israel has been bombing Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank and killing thousands of Palestinian children and babies without any provocation. So, do you think that Israel also should be disarmed? Thank you.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: First of all, the Government of Japan strongly condemns the terrorist attack against civilians in Jerusalem on September 8, local time. The Government of Japan reiterates its position that terrorism is not tolerated anywhere in the world.

Japan has consistently supported a two-state solution, whereby Israel and a future independent Palestinian state live side by side in peace and security. This has not changed at all.

At this July’s High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which Japan also attended, the “New York Declaration” was issued under the leadership of France and Saudi Arabia.

The declaration calls for the achievement of a ceasefire, the swift implementation of humanitarian assistance, and the end of Hamas rule in Gaza and handover of its weapons to realize a future Palestinian state. Japan has joined in this declaration, so this is the Japan’s position and views.

Japan once again strongly urges all parties, including Hamas and Israel, to work in good faith toward a ceasefire as soon as possible and the release of hostages.

In doing so, Japan will continue to work together with relevant countries and international organizations and make an active contribution toward the realization of a two-state solution.

TV Asahi, IIDA: A report revealed that three Japanese nationals were among the more than 400 people who were detained at a ROK company’s plant in Georgia, U.S. on suspicions of working or living in the U.S. illegally. Please tell us what facts the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has about this and how the Government of Japan would respond, including whether it will make requests to the U.S. side.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Regarding the incident you pointed out, the Government of Japan has confirmed that on September 5, U.S. local time, U.S. immigration authorities executed a judicial search warrant for the Hyundai Motor Company in Georgia and detained over 470 individuals, including three Japanese nationals. I would like to refrain from answering in detail in order to protect the privacy of those concerned.

On this matter, MOFA is working to gather information and assess the situation, including through consul meetings by the Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta. We will continue to respond to this incident appropriately from the perspective of protecting Japanese nationals.

Independent Web Journal, HAMAMOTO: I have a question regarding U.S. and Japanese foreign policy. Prime Minister Modi, in response to the diplomatic pressure on India by the Trump administration, has rapidly drawn closer to China and Russia, and China and Russia have welcomed this. As a result, U.S. pressure on India has backfired, with grand diplomacy unfolding between China, Russia, and India. Meanwhile, U.S.-India relations have deteriorated, and frameworks such as the Quad, the efforts to encircle China, already seem to be virtually defunct. Trump diplomacy, which applies pressure on allies including Japan as well as friendly countries, is amateurish. Some critique that the U.S. is destroying its own hegemony, and well-known intellectuals such as Professor Jeffrey Sachs of Harvard University have voiced strong criticism of the Trump administration’s diplomacy.

Is it all right that Japan’s security continues to rely solely on the U.S.? Additionally, should we regard that the Quad is already defunct? Please share your views on these two points.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Concerning the Quad, as you are aware, a Japan-Australia-India-U.S. or Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was hosted by the U.S. in January and July of this year. The Quad has reaffirmed the importance of cooperation among allies and like-minded countries and its commitment toward the realization of a “Free and Open Ondo-Pacific” (FOIP). I believe this basic view remains unchanged whether it’s India or the U.S.

The Japan-U.S. Alliance is the cornerstone of Japan’s diplomacy and security and the keystone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Japan and its only ally, the U.S., are now working together closely to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Alliance, which was also confirmed at the Japan-U.S. Summit meeting this February.

Regarding the U.S.-India tariff negotiations, while we are not in a position to comment, there might naturally be some differences in the approaches toward tariff policies, economic relations between the U.S. and India and security cooperation in a broader sense. Therefore, I do not think your comment that the Quad may have become virtually non-existent is accurate. In addition, Japan, Australia, India, and the U.S. have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the lead-up to the Leaders’ Meeting to be hosted by India in the latter half of this year and the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to be hosted by Australia in 2026.

Furthermore, at the recent Japan-India Summit meeting, which I also attended, Prime Minister Modi stated that India would like to deepen cooperation with Japan in wide-ranging fields, including the Quad. In this regard, I believe that India’s position remains unchanged.

Yomiuri Shimbun, UEMURA: The “Sado Island Gold Mines” memorial ceremony is scheduled to be held in Sado City, Niigata Prefecture, this Saturday, September 13. The ROK Government has expressed its intention not to attend the ceremony this time. This will be the second consecutive year that the ROK Government is not attending. How does the Government of Japan intend to address the gap in the positions between Japan and the ROK on this issue?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: As I stated earlier, I believe overall Japan-ROK relations are in a very favorable trend. Accordingly, regarding the issue of the “Sado Island Gold Mines” memorial ceremony you mentioned, the Government has been communicating carefully and closely with the ROK Government in coordination with the local Executive Committee, which is hosting the ceremony.

Therefore, it’s not that there was any confrontation or conflict, but rather it’s the result of communicating carefully and closely with the ROK. I would appreciate it if you could understand it this way.

In order to stably advance Japan-ROK relations, communication be maintained I believe the two sides need to communicate even more thoroughly and carefully. Based on this basic position, Japan intends to continue communicating closely and carefully with the ROK.

Asahi Shimbun, SASAYAMA: I would like to ask about the message on the 80th year since the end of WWII. When asked at the Chief Cabinet Secretary’s press conference this morning, the Chief Cabinet Secretary responded that a decision has not been made as to whether a message would be issued. Now that the Prime Minister has announced his resignation, If the Prime Minister were to issue a message on the 80thyear since the end of the war, how would you assess this as Minister?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: First of all, the ISHIBA Cabinet maintains overall the position held by previous administrations with regard to the recognition of history, including the official statements made by Prime Ministers over the years. We would carry that into the future. As for what the message for the 80th anniversary year would entail, as of right now, nothing has been decided in concrete terms. However, as the Prime Minister has stated in his press conferences and the Diet, I believe the Prime Minister will make an appropriate decision on the matter giving due consideration to the official statements released by prime ministers over the years.

If the Prime Minister were to release a message, needless to say, we consider it important to come from the perspective that we must not allow memories of the war to fade, and that such a war must never be repeated. On the occasion of the 80th year since the end of the war, I believe it is important for the Prime Minister of Japan to deliver a certain message to people both at home and abroad.

Kyodo News, AYUKAWA: I would like to ask two more questions. In relation to the question Jiji Press asked regarding your and the Prime Minister’s attendance at the UN General Assembly, could you please tell us whether the Prime Minister intends to attend the conference on Palestine and express Japan’s position. My second question is about the detention of the three Japanese nationals in Georgia. Is it correct to understand that consul meetings have already taken place? Furthermore, it has been reported that the ROK Government is coordinating with the U.S. Government toward the release and repatriation of around 300 detained individuals. How will the Government of Japan be responding to this matter?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: First, attendance at the UN conference on Palestine is currently being coordinated. In the process of coordinating the schedules of the Prime Minister and myself, I intend to carefully consider how Japan should respond, and nothing has been decided yet. As it is an important conference, we consider the commitment of the Government of Japan is essential.

As for the incident in Georgia you pointed out, since the situation is still developing, I would like to refrain from going into details. As a matter of course, we are taking the necessary measures and are currently engaged in various discussions on repatriation from the perspective of protecting the Japanese nationals.