Press Conferences

Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi: I have one announcement at the outset.

H.E. Mr. Prévot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of Belgium, will visit Japan from September 15 to September 17. On September 16, I will hold a Foreign Ministers’ meeting and a working lunch with the Minister.

In addition, on September 14, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Agriculture Clarinval and Minister of Public Action and Modernization Matz, who will also be visiting Japan, are scheduled to attend the Belgium National Day event at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

In anticipation of the 160th anniversary of Japan-Belgium friendship in the coming year, Japan intends to seize this opportunity of the ministers’ visits to Japan and the Foreign Ministers’ meeting, to further strengthen relations with Belgium, a strategic partner with which we share values and principles.

That concludes my opening remarks.

Nikkei Shimbun, BABA: I would like to ask two questions regarding the Japanese nationals detained in the U.S. The first is about consular administration. The Japanese nationals detained in the U.S. are thought to have arrived in the Republic of Korea (ROK) on its chartered flight What arrangements were in place between the Japanese and ROK consular authorities, and how were they able to cooperate thanks to the current improving trend of Japan-ROK relations? Secondly, the trigger for this incident was the U.S. visa restrictions, an issue that could also affect Japanese companies expanding into the U.S. Please tell us how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) approached the U.S. side regarding this unusual situation in which Japanese nationals were detained.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: I am aware that the three Japanese nationals detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) departed the U.S. on a chartered flight arranged by an ROK company at around noon on September 11, local time, and arrived in the ROK in the afternoon on September 12, Japan time.

Following the occurrence of this incident, we have been in close contact with our ROK counterparts, both in Atlanta and Seoul, and have been working to address the situation. We would like to express our gratitude to all those involved on the ROK side for their cooperation.

Japan and the ROK are consistently in close communication with each other, including in the consular field. The Consular Consultation between Japan and the ROK is held on annual basis. In addition, last year, the two sides signed the Memorandum of Cooperation on the Protection of Japanese and Korean Nationals in Third Countries. Under such frameworks, Japan intends to continue strengthening coordination with the ROK.

Furthermore, needless to say, we are also communicating with U.S. authorities. However, as these are diplomatic exchanges, I would like to refrain from disclosing the details. In responding to this incident, we have also been in close communication with the U.S. from the perspective of protecting Japanese nationals.

While we sincerely hope that such incidents will not occur, should anything happen, the relevant authorities will coordinate closely and respond appropriately.

Yomiuri Shimbun, UEMURA: I have a question on the issue of recognizing Palestinian statehood. Yesterday, you received a written request from a parliamentary group on humanitarian diplomacy that seeks Japan’s recognition of Palestinian statehood. On that occasion, you stated, “Japan will recognize Palestinian statehood eventually. The question is when.” You also touched on the fact that Israel is hardening its position significantly. A conference on Palestine will be held during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in the latter half of this month. Considering the latest Israeli moves and other factors, I would like to ask your views on the Government’s current position on recognizing Palestinian statehood. Thank you.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Regarding international discussions on the issue of recognizing Palestinian statehood, including the conference to be held in conjunction with the UN General Assembly in New York that you mentioned, Japan is closely following these developments with serious concern.

As I have been stating for some time, Japan has consistently supported a two-state solution to the issue of Israel and Palestine. This position has not changed. In this sense, I have stated that Japan will recognize Palestinian statehood eventually, and it is just a matter of when. That is fundamentally what the question is.

Fostering peace, and indeed peace itself, is of utmost importance. Therefore, we must carefully assess what would be most appropriate and effective to achieve this end.

Japan is continuing to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the issue of recognizing Palestinian statehood, including the appropriate timing and modalities. At this stage, our position is as I have just stated.

NHK, KAWAMURA: I would like to ask about the attack in Qatar. Israel carried out an attack in Qatar targeting leaders of the Hamas Islamic group, and Prime Minister Netanyahu has not ruled out the possibility of another attack. Please share your thoughts with us.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: I issued a statement on this matter on September 10, and our position is as I set out in the statement. The realization of the ceasefire proposal in Gaza and the release of hostages are urgent priorities, and serious diplomatic efforts are being pursued by relevant countries, including Qatar. Japan strongly condemns this attack. Israel’s action undermines those efforts, and threatens Qatar’s sovereignty and security, and consequently jeopardizes regional stability.

Japan expresses its solidarity with Qatar and will once again strongly urge Israel to immediately return to negotiations and to work in good faith toward the realizing the ceasefire and the release of hostages.

Peace and stability in the Middle East are of the utmost importance to Japan. Japan will continue to strongly urge all parties concerned to refrain from any actions, including acts of terrorism, that could undermine regional stability, and to strongly call on all parties to work toward the de-escalation of tensions.

In addition, the Government of Japan will make all necessary diplomatic efforts in order to prevent any further deterioration of the situation, while taking all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals who are traveling or residing overseas.

Kyodo News, AYUKAWA: I have a follow-up question regarding what you stated earlier on the issue of recognizing Palestinian statehood. On September 22, France and Saudi Arabia will co-host a conference on this matter. At the conference, will the Government of Japan be expressing the position you mentioned earlier? Or is the Government continuing its assessment leading up to the conference? Let me clarify these points.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: As I stated earlier, please understand that we are currently making an assessment regarding this issue.

Kyodo News, AYUKAWA: If I may continue, I have two questions regarding the memorial ceremony for the workers to be held at the “Sado Island Gold Mines” UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site on September 13. First, when this site was inscribed as a World Heritage, the Government of Japan expressed its commitment internationally to hold a memorial ceremony for all the workers annually in the site, while sincerely remembering all the workers, especially those from the Korean Peninsula. I understand that the Government of Japan aimed to hold the ceremony with the ROK’s attendance, in order to promote favorable relations and reconciliation between Japan and the ROK. However, the ROK will not be attending this year either, following on from last year. Please share your candid thoughts on this. Second, last year, Parliamentary Foreign Vice-Minister IKUINA Akiko attended and gave a speech on behalf of the Government. Who will be attending on behalf of the Government this year? If the political level of representative is different from last year’s, I would like to ask if there is any reason for that.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: First, Director-General for Cultural Affairs and Assistant Minister OKANO, the director-general in charge at MOFA, is scheduled to attend the memorial ceremony on behalf of the Government. This is based on a comprehensive judgment made by MOFA.

Since last year, Japan has continued to coordinate with the ROK side, based on the view that it is desirable to hold the ceremony with the ROK’s attendance. Japan has coordinated closely and carefully this year as well based on that approach, but regrettably it didn’t turn out that way. This is the result of close and careful dialogues between the two countries. So, while regrettable, Japan will continue to communicate carefully with the ROK to advance Japan-ROK relations in a stable manner.

Asian News International, ITAGAKI: The Japan-India Summit meeting concluded successfully, and Ambassador Sibi George, who served as India’s Ambassador to Japan for three years, has returned to India, where he will assume duties as Deputy Minister at the Ministry of External Affairs. I had the opportunity to interview him two days before his departure. While he talked about a variety of topics, what he emphasized most at the end was the Quad. He stated that the Quad is a very important framework for the peace, stability, security, and prosperity of not only Japan and India, but also various countries in the Indo-Pacific, and expressed his wish to further strengthen such cooperation. Please tell us your response to that message, as well as your views on the future outlook for the Quad.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Ambassador George also visited me before his departure. I would like to once again pay sincere tribute to the Ambassador’s efforts during his tenure to develop Japan-India relations. I believe it was thanks in part to his efforts that Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Japan concluded successfully. The two leaders issued the “Japan-India Annual Summit Joint Statement,” which sets out a concrete roadmap for Japan-India cooperation over the next decade.

As India is a key partner for realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP), Japan would like to continue deepening cooperative relations with India in wide-ranging fields.

Regarding your question on the Quad, as you know, a Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting was held twice this year, in January and July, both hosted by the U.S. The four Ministers confirmed the importance of cooperation among allies and like-minded countries and reaffirmed their commitment to realizing FOIP. We confirmed that we will further strengthen the cooperation and agreed to strengthen cooperation toward the Leaders’ Meeting hosted by India later this year and the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting hosted by Australia in 2026, next year. Japan and India will continue to work together closely and strive to further enhance and strengthen the Quad.

Nikkei Shimbun, BABA: I would like to follow up on my earlier question regarding Japan’s response to the detainment of Japanese nationals in the U.S. It is about the impact on Japanese investment in the U.S. President Lee Jae Myung has indicated that the current case of detention could affect the ROK’s direct investment in the U.S. Labor issues have emerged as a risk when Japan and the ROK aim at accelerating investment in the U.S. What requests will Japan make to the U.S. side regarding visa regulations, and what support will the Government provide to ensure the smooth business activities of Japanese companies in the U.S.?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Needless to say, as there are many Japanese nationals residing in the U.S., the Government of Japan has been closely following the developments concerning U.S. visas with serious concern. In addition, we have been conducting the necessary information gathering and maintaining close communication. We intend to continue responding appropriately.

Supporting Japanese companies operating overseas is an important mission of the Government. As such, the Government will continue to work to grasp the local situation, including the current case, and support Japanese companies, including by providing them with relevant information.

MOFA has established offices to support Japanese businesses at 18 diplomatic missions in the U.S. Staff responsible for Japanese business support, who are stationed in the U.S., have been actively responding to consultations, requests for support, and other needs from individual companies.

Furthermore, JETRO provides consultation services across the U.S. through experts and other specialists, and conducts activities such as disseminating information through holding seminars to support Japanese companies’ operations in the U.S. Through these various initiatives, the Government will continue its efforts to support Japanese companies in the U.S.

Yomiuri Shimbun, UEMURA: I would like to ask about the LDP presidential election. The date of the presidential election has been set. On what issues would you expect a deeper discussion in the lead-up to the presidential election? Furthermore, what areas do you consider necessary regarding the continuity of policies of the ISHIBA administration, what areas do you consider it necessary for ensuring the continuity of policies under the ISHIBA administration? Considering these points, what kind of leader do you think would be desirable as the next LDP President? Thank you.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: I would like to respond not in my capacity as Minister. My hope is that the next regime steadily carries forward the issues that are, in a sense, ongoing or remaining under the ISHIBA administration.

While we face various issues, I believe the primary reason for the LDP’s defeat was, for example, its failure to implement fundamental political reform, for example, was the primary reason for the LDP’s defeat. Therefore, it is first and foremost that the regime can fully address this issue.

Furthermore, follow-up on the Japan-U.S. tariffs agreement, which was discussed at the Diet today, will be one of the most important issues going forward. I also believe the ISHIBA administration’s achievements in raising wages, the policy to ensure wage increases exceeding inflation, must be carried forward. The policies advocated and pursued by the ISHIBA administration, such as the establishment of Disaster Management Agency and regional revitalization were not at all denied in the election. I believe the election results represented the people’s stern judgment on the organizational culture of the LDP. Accordingly, the desirable regime is one that can carry out fundamental political reform to transform the LDP’s organizational culture and further advance the challenges of the ISHIBA administration.

Fuji TV, MURAKAMI: Information is spreading on social media that a Japanese national has been harmed in Suzhou, China. Could you please tell us if MOFA has any information on this?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: I am aware of the social media information you are referring to. The Consulate-General of Japan in Shanghai is now confirming the facts by inquiring with local Chinese authorities. We will respond appropriately if an incident occurs that requires the protection of Japanese nationals. As soon as the facts are confirmed, we will provide information once again in an appropriate manner.