Press Conferences

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: Today, I attended ASEAN-related summit meetings on behalf of Prime Minister TAKAICHI, specifically, the ASEAN Plus Three Summit, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit, and the East Asia Summit (EAS).

I stated Japan’s position clearly that, under the new administration, Japan will highly value ASEAN-led regional frameworks and promote a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP). First, at the ASEAN Plus Three Summit, I underscored the significance of Japan-led practical financial cooperation and food security cooperation and conveyed our determination to promote coordination among Japan-China-Republic of Korea (ROK) and ASEAN. Furthermore, at the EAS, we exchanged views on strategic issues with a focus on regional and international issues. In particular, I underscored that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion are unacceptable anywhere in the world, and conveyed Japan’s commitment to contributing to regional peace and stability through the promotion of FOIP. I also called for participating countries’ cooperation toward the immediate resolution of the issue of North Korea’s abductions. Additionally, at the RCEP Summit, which was held before the EAS, I stressed that the full and transparent implementation of the RCEP Agreement is crucial. I also emphasized the importance of upgrading the RCEP Agreement to address challenges such as non-market policies and practices, as well as the stable supply of critical minerals.

I also held two bilateral meetings. Yesterday, Prime Minister TAKAICHI held summit meetings with Australia and the Philippines. I held foreign ministers’ meetings with Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar of India and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam. With my longtime acquaintance, Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar of India whom I call “Jai,” we confirmed the direction of Japan-India cooperation for the next decade.

We shared recognition on regional issues and concurred on working together toward the realization of FOIP.

As for Vietnam, Minister of Foreign Affairs Trung has also just assumed office as Foreign Minister. We affirmed our intention to enhance cooperation in a broad range of areas, including economic security with Vietnam, which is experiencing significant economic growth. Through this visit, I felt keenly the increasingly severe international situation, and the high expectations placed on Japan’s diplomacy under these circumstances. I was reminded that evolving FOIP in accordance with the times and working together with various countries have become even more necessary than ever. I will be returning to Japan shortly. Upon returning to Japan on an overnight flight, a series of important diplomatic events lies ahead, including President Trump’s visit to Japan and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in the ROK. Tomorrow, I will attend the Japan-U.S. Summit meeting, which will be followed by a Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ meeting with Secretary of State Rubio. I intend to firmly support Prime Minister TAKAICHI and pursue “vigorous diplomacy with a broad perspective.”

That concludes my opening remarks.

Reporter: Thank you, Minister. This was your first overseas visit since assuming office as Foreign Minister in the TAKAICHI administration. I believe there is a lot of attention, both domestically and internationally, on the TAKAICHI administration’s diplomatic approach and your own. Were you able to demonstrate the diplomatic stance of the TAKAICHI administration to ASEAN countries and to the countries with which you held bilateral meetings? You have continuously emphasized the importance of diplomacy, saying that the government will collapse if economic policy fails, and that the nation will falter if foreign policy fails. What do you consider to be a failure in diplomacy?

Furthermore, to avoid diplomatic failures and achieve diplomatic successes, what points did you focus on during your visit here for the ASEAN meetings, and what kind of diplomacy do you intend to pursue going forward?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: I understand that there were mainly three questions. Through the series of meetings, I believe that I was able to clearly convey that, under the new administration, Japan will continue to highly value ASEAN-led regional frameworks and further promote FOIP, in addition to Japan’s position on regional and international issues. Furthermore, I believe I was able to build relationships of trust with my counterparts, which will serve as a foundation for future cooperation. Indeed, I have stated that the government will collapse if economic policy fails, and that the nation will falter if foreign policy fails. I also recognize that failures in diplomacy vary depending on the circumstances and ultimately history will judge. That being said, I believe what is required of foreign policy are proactiveness, continuity, and multifaceted development that adapts to changes in the international environment. If these are missing from diplomacy, a nation will ultimately take the wrong course and undermine its national interests or follow a course that goes against its national interests. I would consider this to be a diplomatic failure. The achievements of this visit and my intentions going forward are as I mentioned in my opening remarks. I intend to build on the outcomes of the recent multilateral and bilateral meetings for a successful Japan-U.S. Summit meeting, APEC meeting, and other future diplomatic engagements. Prime Minister TAKAICHI attended ASEAN-related meetings yesterday, and I understand the Prime Minister of Malaysia highly appreciated Prime Minister TAKAICHI’s attendance amid the various preparations being made just before President Trump’s visit to Japan. In this regard, I believe Japan was able to enhance its presence in ASEAN, which is located at the very center of the Indo-Pacific region.

Reporter: As you stated earlier in your opening remarks, you attended a series of meetings today on behalf of Prime Minister TAKAICHI. Firstly, what did you keep in mind when attending the meetings? Secondly, at today’s meetings, particularly at the EAS that you mentioned earlier, could you please share if there were any remarks with China or Russia in mind?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: I have been exchanging various views on diplomacy and security with Prime Minister TAKAICHI, and I believe our views are aligned. I firmly emphasized what I stated in my opening remarks, which is that Japan values ASEAN-led regional frameworks, and that above all, Japan intends to further evolve FOIP. At the EAS, in which China and Russia also participate, I clearly communicated Japan’s position on issues related to North Korea, including the nuclear, missile, and abductions issues, the situations in the East and South China Seas, and issues where Japan, China, and Russia have different positions, such as Taiwan and Ukraine.

Reporter: Thank you for taking my question. A summit meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister TAKAICHI is scheduled for tomorrow. As you have pointed out, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted Russia and North Korea to come closer and there is also China’s coercive behavior. Against this backdrop, what outcomes do you expect from the Japan-U.S. Summit meeting in Japan? Furthermore, under the second Trump administration, U.S. allies such as Japan and the ROK are being affected by U.S. tariff measures. Could you tell us how the Government of Japan will respond to the U.S. administration’s policies and what will be the Prime Minister’s message to President Trump?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: Regarding the Japan-U.S. Summit meeting, a Japan-U.S. Summit telephone meeting was already held yesterday, and I am informed that the atmosphere was very good, and that President Trump extended welcoming words to Prime Minister TAKAICHI, noting that “Shinzo” had greatly admired her. In any case, as this will be the first in-person meeting between Prime Minister TAKAICHI and President Trump, I expect that it will offer an excellent opportunity for the two leaders to build a personal relationship of trust, further strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance, and deepen cooperation toward the realization of FOIP. It is remarkable that a Japan-U.S. Summit meeting is taking place so soon after the new administration took office. Since the Japan-U.S. Alliance is the cornerstone of Japan’s diplomacy and security, I believe the meeting offers an excellent opportunity in that sense as well. Furthermore, this will serve as an opportunity for the two leaders to engage in broad and candid exchanges of views on regional and international challenges, and to align their perspectives on the international situation, although I believe there is no disagreement. On the economic front, while there is the issue of Trump tariffs, Japan and the U.S. have already reached an agreement on this issue. First, through the implementation of the Japan-U.S. agreement on tariffs, we aim to promote mutual benefits for Japan and the U.S., expand Japan-U.S. cooperation toward ensuring economic security, and contribute to Japan’s economic growth.

I expect that there will be an opportunity to thoroughly discuss Japan's approach at the summit meeting tomorrow. Japan will continue to make use of various opportunities to clearly convey Japan’s positions to the U.S. side and promote bilateral communication.