Press Conferences

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: Last week started with the ASEAN-related summit meetings, followed by President Trump’s visit to Japan, and then the APEC Ministerial Meeting and Economic Leaders’ Meeting in the ROK. I myself held nearly ten bilateral meetings. Since I have already shared the details and my assessment of these meetings, I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Sankei Shimbun, NAGAHARA: I would like to ask again about APEC. Photos taken in the APEC waiting room of Prime Minister TAKAICHI actively talking with other leaders and putting her arms around her counterpart’s shoulder have drawn a lot of attention on social media. The video of your coffee break has also attracted over four million views. What are your thoughts on the considerable attention the TAKAICHI administration’s diplomacy has been receiving on social media?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: Before the meeting started and at other occasions, I saw Prime Minister TAKAICHI actively going over to leaders and having conversations with them. Similarly, I also engaged in informal talks with various countries, as time permitted. In the course of these diplomatic events, I believe that Prime Minister TAKAICHI held candid talks and built personal relationships of trust with the leaders of Japan’s ally, like-minded countries, and regional neighbors. Such relationships lay down a foundation for advancing summit diplomacy and Japan’s diplomacy.

I myself conducted a series of important multilateral and bilateral meetings. I have held 13 bilateral meetings since assuming office as Foreign Minister, and it was a very significant achievement that I was able to deepen my relationships with numerous counterparts.

I believe it is of utmost importance to continue providing detailed explanations and information about Japan’s diplomatic efforts and front-line activities to obtain public understanding of our diplomacy.

Needless to say, the relationships of trust with my overseas counterparts are essential to diplomacy. Equally important, however, is gaining the trust of the public. From this perspective, we will continue sharing our social media posts, and I am grateful that the recent diplomatic activities, including these posts, have received many positive responses.

I was pleasantly surprised that the coffee break video introducing Korean coffee has been viewed more than four million times. I will continue to protect our national interests and enhance Japan’s presence in the international community by advancing vigorous diplomacy with a broad perspective that is unique to Japan.

Yomiuri Shimbun, UEMURA: On the sidelines of the APEC meeting in Gyeongju, the ROK, Prime Minister TAKAICHI held a meeting with Mr. Lin Hsin-i, Taiwan’s Leader’s Representative at APEC and former Vice Premier. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China has expressed its firm opposition to this meeting. What are your thoughts on the protests and criticism by the Government of China?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: APEC is comprised of 21 countries and economies, and I recall that previous Japanese prime ministers have met with Taiwanese officials on the margins of APEC meetings. In my view, the meeting you mentioned does not conflict with the position of the Government of Japan, which is to maintain a working relationship on a non-governmental basis with Taiwan based on the 1972 Japan-China Joint Communique.

As I just stated, my understanding is that meetings of this kind have been conducted many times on the margins of previous APEC Economic Leaders’ Meetings.

In response to China’s démarche following the meeting, Japan once again explained its position on Taiwan to China and objected to its démarche.

In any case, there is no change in the Government of Japan’s basic position on Taiwan.

Asahi Shimbun, MIYAWAKI: At yesterday’s citizens’ rally to demand the return of abductees to Japan, Prime Minister TAKAICHI stated that Japan has requested a meeting with the North Korean leader. Please tell us about the facts and arrangements being made related to this matter. What diplomatic efforts do you think are necessary for realizing a Japan-North Korea summit meeting?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: I am aware that Prime Minister TAKAICHI made this remark yesterday.

Japan has been reaching out to North Korea through a range of channels. However, due to the nature of the matter, I would like to refrain from responding in detail.

In any case, Prime Minister TAKAICHI has said that she is ready to hold a summit meeting with Chairman Kim Jong-un, and the Government of Japan is committed to exerting all possible efforts to realize the return of all abductees to Japan as quickly as possible.

Kyodo News, HIGA: I have a question on U.S. President Trump’s announcement on social media that he had instructed the Department of War to start testing nuclear weapons. Secretary Wright of the Department of Energy expressed the recognition that the President’s instruction would involve subcritical nuclear tests that do not produce nuclear explosions. While subcritical nuclear tests have also been carried out under the Biden administration, there are concerns that if the U.S. increases the frequency of the tests, it would intensify competition with Russia and China over nuclear modernization. Additionally, on October 31, local time, a draft resolution submitted by Japan aimed at the elimination of nuclear weapons was adopted by a majority vote at the First Committee of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, on which you have issued a statement. The U.S. voted in favor of the same draft resolution last year but abstained this year. What are your thoughts on this, or how do you analyze it? Additionally, how do you view President Trump’s instruction on the start of nuclear weapons testing, which I mentioned earlier? Can you tell us how the Government of Japan intends to approach the U.S. side on this matter?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: I am aware of President Trump’s statement that you referred to. However, I would like to refrain from commenting.

Japan has been maintaining and will continue to maintain close communication with the U.S. on Japan’s position regarding the issue of nuclear disarmament.

As for the resolution on the elimination of nuclear weapons, on October 31, a draft resolution entitled “Steps to building a common roadmap towards a world without nuclear weapons,” submitted by the Government of Japan, was adopted with the support of 145 countries, which is quite a lot.

Amid the deepening division over approaches to nuclear disarmament and an increasingly severe security environment, it is highly significant that the draft resolution gained the broad support of states with diverse positions.

It is often the case with the UN resolutions that some countries consistently vote in favor or against, while others change their stance, voting in favor or abstaining depending on the year. I believe that the Government of Japan is not in a position to explain the intentions behind each vote. In any case, it is an undeniable fact that Japan and the U.S. consistently maintain close communication in this field.

As the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during war, Japan remains committed to leading international efforts while consolidating the opinions of each country as much as possible.

Shanghai East Television, Song: The closeness between Prime Minister TAKAICHI and President Trump have drawn much attention. Some reports showed Prime Minister TAKAICHI jumping up and down, leading some to question whether it was too much. What are your views on this?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: On the occasion of President Trump’s visit to Japan last week, I also attended the Japan-U.S. Summit meeting at which the two leaders held substantive exchanges of views in a friendly atmosphere. I believe it was a highly productive meeting between the two leaders, marking the beginning of a NEW GOLDEN AGE for the Japan-U.S. Alliance.

It was indeed a very substantive meeting in a truly relaxed and cordial atmosphere, which did not appear to me as if it were their first meeting.

The close exchanges of views between the leaders during the series of events, including the Japan-U.S. Summit meeting, and the Prime Minister’s behavior were in harmony with the atmosphere of the occasion and contributed significantly to building a relationship of trust between the two leaders. That was the impression I was left with.

Yomiuri Shimbun, UEMURA: I would like to ask about the passing of a North Korean senior official. North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim Yong Nam, former President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, passed away on November 3 at the age of 97 due to multiple organ failure. Described as a living witness to North Korean diplomacy, he had ties to Japan to some extent, including contact with then-Prime Minister ABE during an event at the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang Olympic Games. Please share your thoughts on his passing. Thank you.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: I am aware of the announcement made by North Korea.

You have just mentioned the various activities he undertook over the years, and I would like to offer my sincere condolences.