Press Conferences

Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi: Although my visit is through tomorrow, I would like to share my impressions of my visit so far at the outset.

During the United Nations (UN) General Assembly High-Level Week, I attended various thematic meetings, including the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. In addition, I attended multilateral meetings, such as the Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, along with individual meetings with respective foreign ministers. In total, I took part in approximately 30 conferences and meetings. As you can tell, it has been a very productive and fruitful stay. I would like to highlight four major outcomes that have been achieved through this visit.

The first is strengthening of cooperative relations with Japan’s ally and like-minded countries. At the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I had a candid discussion with Secretary of State Rubio of the U.S. and other G7 counterparts regarding regional issues, including the situations in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific. I firmly conveyed Japan’s views, and we concurred on maintaining close communication and coordination as the G7.

Furthermore, at the first Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting since the inauguration of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the ROK Cho Hyun, we reaffirmed to strengthen the solidarity among the three countries, and in particular, to further advance our cooperation in dealing with North Korea and in the fields of security and economic security in light of the increasingly severe strategic environment surrounding the three countries.

The second outcome is strengthening cooperation with the Global South. On this point, I explained Japan’s position in my keynote address at the Japan Society on September 22. Additionally, at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, we discussed the reciprocal relationship between peace and sustainable development, the strengthening of collaboration between the G20 and international organizations, including the UN, to solve various global issues, and confirmed that we would enhance our cooperation towards a successful G20 Summit in Johannesburg. Furthermore, at the Foreign Ministers’ meeting of the extended Troika of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), we held a candid exchange of views on strengthening relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries that share common values and principles, as well as cooperation in the international arena.

The third outcome is initiatives for rebuilding global governance and restoring trust in the rule of law and in multilateralism, including the UN. At the Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the G4 Countries on UN Security Council Reform, which I chaired, Japan, along with Brazil, Germany, and India, confirmed that the G4 would cooperate closely toward realizing Security Council reform, building on the achievements of last year’s Summit of the Future and the fact that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the UN. I also held a meeting with the President of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. I conveyed expectations for the President’s leadership toward strengthening the UN’s functions, including Security Council reform, and we confirmed that we would strengthen our collaboration.

The fourth is how to respond to the tense Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, I expressed Japan’s determination to play a realistic and proactive role in moving even a single step closer toward the goal of a two-state solution, and communicated to the international community that Japan intends to conduct diplomatic efforts in a substantive manner towards that direction.

Based on these perspectives, Japan and like-minded countries, including France, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Spain, issued a foreign ministers’ joint statement today on the establishment of the Emergency Coalition for the Financial Sustainability of the Palestinian Authority in response to the financial crisis confronting Palestine. Japan will provide further support for Palestinian state-building and continue to conduct diplomatic efforts we consider most appropriate and effective for realizing a two-state solution and ensuring peace and stability in the Middle East, while also considering Japan’s national interests in the international community.

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, I attended the Crimea Platform Summit. As the message from Prime Minister ISHIBA, I expressed Japan’s determination to actively engage in the discussions and to play an appropriate role in bringing peace to Ukraine going forward, while calling on countries concerned to work together. In addition, I attended meetings on important themes, such as maritime cooperation, nuclear disarmament, women, and peacebuilding, where I conveyed Japan’s position and views and called for cooperation of the international community.

Today, division and confrontation in the international community are deepening, starting with the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East. Furthermore, the security of regions such as Europe, the Middle East, and Asia is becoming increasingly inseparable. Precisely for this reason, Japan needs to conduct “diplomacy of dialogue and harmony” and guide the international community from division toward harmony and from confrontation toward cooperation. I believe Japan must co-create solutions with other countries, and act together. Through this visit, I believe I was able to make further strides in Japan’s “diplomacy of dialogue and harmony,” actively leveraging the relationships of trust we have established with various countries.

This has been somewhat lengthy, but that concludes my opening remarks.

Reporter: I would first like to ask about the issue of Palestine. In both Prime Minister ISHIBA’s statement at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly and your statement at the High-Level International Conference which you attended, it was mentioned that, should Israel take further actions that block the path to the realization of a two-state solution, Japan would be compelled to introduce new measures in response. Regarding the new measures, you have cited or suggested measures such as sanctions against Israel or recognition of Palestinian statehood. Please tell us what specific situations Japan envisions as “actions that block the path to a two-state solution.”

Foreign Minister IWAYA: While I would like to refrain from going into details based on speculation at this stage, as I have stated, Japan absolutely cannot accept Israel’s unilateral actions, such as expansion of military operations, restrictions on humanitarian assistance, and moves towards annexation of the West Bank. Should these actions be judged to undermine the foundation of a two-state solution, then Japan will be compelled to introduce new measures in response.

Reporter: I would like to ask about Japan’s political situation and its impact on diplomacy. Although Prime Minister ISHIBA delivered the General Debate address, his stay in New York was brief and his schedule was rather minimal as he did not participate in any multilateral meetings. Furthermore, Prime Minister ISHIBA’s resignation means that the Japanese Prime Minister attending the UN General Assembly will be replaced for the second consecutive year. What are your thoughts on the impacts of Japan’s precarious political situation on its diplomacy?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: As I have stated before, diplomacy must not be allowed to stagnate due to the domestic political situation at a time when the international situation is changing rapidly. Regarding Prime Minister ISHIBA’s statement at the General Debate, I was listening in the same room, and my impression is that it resonated deeply with the participants from various countries. I believe Prime Minister ISHIBA clearly expressed Japan’s position of aiming to rebuild the international order through “diplomacy of dialogue and harmony,” and I think this message was effectively conveyed. In addition, although Prime Minister ISHIBA’s stay was brief, he actively held meetings and talks with UN Secretary-General Guterres, President Trump, and the leaders of the State of Kuwait, Finland, and the Netherlands. I believe it was a highly meaningful visit. I myself took part in a total of approximately 30 conferences and meetings. At the Crimea Platform Summit, where President Zelenskyy and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sybiha also attended, I made sure to convey Prime Minister ISHIBA’s message. I believe that Prime Minister ISHIBA’s and my attendance at the UN General Assembly served as a meaningful opportunity to firmly express Japan’s position and to reaffirm our cooperation with various countries.

I think it is not desirable for the minister in charge of diplomacy to change frequently, but I sincerely hope that the broad diplomatic vision laid out by Prime Minister ISHIBA will be maintained stably, and that Japan’s “diplomacy of dialogue and harmony” will continue to be pursued in the future.

Reporter: Regarding the situation in Ukraine, U.S. President Trump made a shift in his position and said that Ukraine, with the support of Europe, could win back the occupied territories. At this week’s UN meeting, you delivered a message on territorial integrity in front of President Zelenskyy. Please share with us your thoughts on the latest view expressed by President Trump.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: I am aware of the statement made by President Trump you pointed out. However, I would like to refrain from commenting on it one by one. I understand the latest statement is aimed at achieving a breakthrough in the current situation, as the U.S. has been consistently working to bring peace to Ukraine as soon as possible in close communication with Ukraine and Europe, and reemphasized the importance of coordination among Ukraine, Europe, and the U.S.

I attended the fifth Crimea Platform Summit I mentioned earlier and expressed Japan’s consistent support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. I also conveyed that we would stand united together and work together to bring a just and lasting peace to Ukraine, that we must draw a swift and positive response from Russia, and that we must work together to this end. I highlighted the importance of these points. Seizing these occasions of meetings, Japan intends to coordinate closely with the international community, including the U.S., Ukraine, and Europe, and play a role in restoring peace in Ukraine as soon as possible.

Reporter: Yesterday, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced the withdrawal of its Africa Hometown program. Please share your thoughts on this matter and also tell us about the measurers that the Government is considering to take in the future.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Regarding the JICA Africa Hometown initiative, as President of JICA explained in his press conference, I understand that the very nature of this initiative—namely, the term “hometown” and the fact that JICA would designate Japanese local governments as “hometowns”—led to misunderstandings and confusion within Japan, placing an excessive burden on the four municipalities. We regret that this occurred. Considering this situation, and after consulting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) as well as other relevant organizations and parties involved, I understand that JICA announced the withdrawal of this initiative.

Meanwhile, we believe that promoting international exchanges with countries, including those in the African region, remains extremely important, and we will, as a matter of course, continue to implement initiatives to support such international exchanges. At the same time, international exchanges cannot be promoted without the understanding and support of the Japanese public. Therefore, MOFA will make efforts to obtain broad public understanding of the significance of Japan’s international exchanges with various countries. In addition, we will ensure that partner governments are provided with more detailed and thorough explanations about the exchange programs than ever before.

Reporter: I would like to ask about political affairs, specifically on the LDP presidential election. The election was officially announced on September 22, and it is now confirmed that five candidates will be competing. Please tell us and the reasons why which candidate you will be supporting.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: I have not made my decision yet. As I have been attending meetings throughout the UN High-Level Week during this time, to be honest, I have not yet fully grasped the views of each candidate. I will make a final decision once I have carefully reviewed their thoughts. As I outlined in previous press conferences, the important thing is to thoroughly implement political reforms, to carry forward and advance the agenda of the ISHIBA administration, and to further advance politics based on careful deliberation as the LDP remains a minority ruling party. In terms of diplomacy, to make Japan a country open to the world, drawing a clear line against exclusionism. I would like to choose a candidate who aligns with these directions.