Press Conferences

Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi: I visited the State of Kuwait to attend a Foreign Ministers’ meeting with the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The Japan-GCC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held for the second time since September 2023. The GCC is playing an increasingly vital role in ensuring regional stability amid a tense regional situation, including the situation in the Gaza Strip and the Iranian nuclear issue. I underscored this point in particular at the Japan-GCC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting yesterday.

During the meeting, I emphasized the growing importance of cooperation between Japan and the GCC in ensuring international stability, including the situation in Gaza. In response, the GCC member states expressed gratitude for Japan’s long-standing support for Palestine over many years, including the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD), and also voiced their expectation for Japan to play an even greater role.

In addition, Japan and the GCC confirmed that both sides would enhance dialogue in the fields of humanitarian and development assistance as well as in the political and security fields. Furthermore, Japan and the GCC confirmed that we would work together for the early conclusion of the Japan-GCC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which is currently under negotiation.

Additionally, on this occasion, I held individual meetings and conversations with the ministers of Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait. I also held a telephone meeting a short while ago with H.H. Prince Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, who was unable to attend the meeting due to urgent duties.

My counterparts and I had candid exchanges of views on bilateral relations and regional situations, including those concerning Iran, Gaza, and Syria. Regarding Iran, we agreed on the importance of resolving the nuclear issue through dialogue. Regarding Palestine, we confirmed that we would work together toward the realization of a two-state solution, which Japan has consistently supported.

In the host country, Kuwait, I held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Yahya and made courtesy calls on H.H. Sheikh Sabah Khalid, Crown Prince of Kuwait and H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah, Prime Minister of Kuwait. Kuwait is Japan’s third largest supplier of crude oil and an important energy security partner for Japan. H.H. the Crown Prince and I confirmed that our two countries would further strengthen relations in a wide range of areas, based on the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” to which bilateral relations were upgraded during H.H. the Crown Prince’s visit to Japan this May.

Japan will continue to cooperate closely with the GCC and its member states in order to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Reporter: Through meetings with the GCC member states, which have a significant influence on the Middle East situation, how do you feel about Japan’s position and role in addressing the situation in Gaza? Please also share with us how Japan intends to contribute to regional stability at the upcoming United Nations (UN) General Assembly and subsequent international conferences. I understand that all GCC member states recognize Palestinian statehood. In particular, please tell us whether there were any statements urging Japan to recognize Palestinian statehood at the conference to be co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France in conjunction with the UN General Assembly in September.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: I engaged in frank exchanges of views with the GCC member states throughout this visit. During the discussions, these countries highly commended the CEAPAD, Japan’s support for Palestine, and Japan’s diplomatic efforts. They also expressed their expectations for Japan to play an even greater role.

As a nation that maintains relationships of trust with both Israel and Palestine, Japan has renewed its determination to play an even greater role in addressing the various issues of the Middle East and, by extension, in ensuring peace and stability in the region.

During the international conference for the implementation of the two-state solution, which was co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France at the UN headquarters in July, Japan together with Norway co-chaired a thematic roundtable session on the economic self-reliance of Palestine. At the follow-up international conference to be held on the occasion of the UN General Assembly in September, Japan intends to continue to make a proactive contribution to international discussions.

We also discussed the situation in Gaza at my meetings with the GCC member states. During the discussion, some countries mentioned the issue of recognizing Palestinian statehood. As for the specific exchanges in the series of meetings, I must refrain from going into details, since they are matters of diplomatic communications. That being said, regarding the recognition of Palestinian statehood, based on Japan’s consistent support for the two-state solution to the Israel- Palestine issue, Japan will seriously consider what would be most appropriate and effective with a view toward fostering peace, and will continue to make a comprehensive assessment, including the appropriate timing and modality.

Reporter: What corporation has been developed with the GCC member states regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, another outstanding issue in the region? The UK, France, and Germany have initiated procedures to restore UN sanctions against Iran. With less than 30 days remaining until the resolution enters into force, please tell us how Japan intends to deal with this matter.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: We devoted considerable time for discussions on this issue as well. I believe that the GCC is also playing an increasingly vital role in addressing the Iranian nuclear issue. Under these circumstances, at the recent Foreign Ministers’ meeting, Japan confirmed that it would further strengthen cooperation and maintain close communication with the GCC member states in order to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue.

Japan has been strongly conveying to the Iranian side the importance of resuming consultations with the U.S. as early as possible as well as the need to immediately resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Peace and stability in the Middle East, as well as the maintenance of the international non-proliferation regime, are extremely important to Japan. Japan will continue to work together with the international community and strengthen its diplomatic efforts regarding the Iranian nuclear issue as well.

Reporter: On another note, I would like to ask about the developments surrounding the LDP. A report reviewing the House of Councillors election was delivered at the Joint Plenary Meeting of Party Members of Both Houses of the Diet. The report states that the Party would undertake a fundamental overhaul and cites the issue surrounding politics and money, among other issues, as factors that affected the election result. What are your thoughts on this? In addition, procedures to determine the advisability of holding an LDP presidential election will begin. Please tell us again how you intend to respond.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Regarding the review of the House of Councillors election, as I am overseas, I was unable to attend the joint plenary meeting. However, I am aware that the report was approved by the Party’s House of Councillors Election Review Committee. I have read the draft text while I was here. Regarding the LDP presidential election, I understand that the procedures will be carried out by the Presidential Election Administration Committee in accordance with the LDP Constitution. Accordingly, I would like to refrain from responding to either matter in my capacity as Foreign Minister.

That being said, we are facing a turbulent international situation and are still in the middle of dealing with the U.S. tariff policy. We also need to address the situation in the Middle East. The Ukraine issue also remains. With such urgent diplomatic issues mounting, important diplomatic engagements will continue in the days ahead. Under these circumstances, I believe we must not cause a stagnation in diplomacy. In order to advance stable and continuous foreign and security policy, I will continue to fully fulfill the mission entrusted to me under the ISHIBA administration.

Regarding the hypothetical question of moving forward the presidential election, I personally believe this is unnecessary, and we do not have time for it. What the LDP must do now is to engage in persistent dialogues with opposition parties and arrive at the right answers for the nation and the people without causing a political stagnation at this critical juncture. I believe fulfilling this responsibility is what is most urgently required of the LDP now, and the most suitable leader for doing this is none other than Prime Minister ISHIBA, who has been carrying out politics based on careful deliberation through persistent dialogue.

Reporter: During the joint plenary meeting, the Prime Minister acknowledged his responsibility for the Party’s defeat in the House of Councillors election and made it clear that he would determine how to take responsibility once the issues are on course to be resolved. Furthermore, while the top four Party executives, including the Secretary-General, have expressed their intention to step down, the decision has been left to the Prime Minister. Some Party members are pointing out that this will create a political stagnation. How do you view the current situation?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: I believe this will be determined appropriately by Prime Minister and the LDP President ISHIBA who holds the authority over personnel appointments.