Press Conferences

The two-day G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting has just concluded.

At this G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in addition to the situations in the Middle East and Ukraine, which are major challenges for the international community, we thoroughly discussed issues of particular importance to Japan, including the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) over the two days.

In addressing the challenges facing the international community, the role of the G7, which shares fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, as well as strategic interests, and functions in a timely and effective manner, is extremely important. I reaffirmed this with my G7 counterparts.

First, regarding the situation in Ukraine, the G7 countries underscored the importance of an immediate ceasefire and reaffirmed our commitment to work together as the G7 to achieve a just and lasting peace. I reiterated Japan’s consistent position of standing with Ukraine. We will continue to work on providing support to Ukraine and imposing sanctions against Russia in coordination with the G7 countries.

As for the situation in the Middle East, we reaffirmed the G7’s support for the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict and the importance of all parties constructively engaging in the Plan. I expressed Japan’s determination to play an active role in Palestinian state-building, including early recovery and reconstruction support, toward the realization of a two-state solution.

Regarding the situation in the Indo-Pacific, we discussed the situations in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, as well as North Korea’s nuclear and missile issues. In this context, we reaffirmed, as the G7, the importance of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) based on the rule of law. In addition, I once again asked for understanding and cooperation from the other G7 members for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.

Today, on the second day, with the participation of invited countries, we discussed issues concerning maritime security, energy security, and critical minerals. I reiterated the importance of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) based on the rule of law, which relates to maritime security, as well as the importance of strengthening the resilience of supply chains for critical minerals, including rare earths, and we concurred to coordinate efforts among the G7 and like-minded countries.

I also took this opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Canada, which holds this year’s G7 presidency; France, which will assume the presidency next year; as well as the UK and Ukraine.

Through the two days of discussions, we shared the recognition that the security environment is becoming increasingly severe across a broader range of fields, and confirmed that it is becoming even more important for the G7 to communicate closely and work together.

Finally, I would like to express my respect for Canada’s efforts as this year’s G7 presidency and my sincere gratitude to Foreign Minister Anand for her hospitality.

Reporter: I would like to ask about the discussion on FOIP at this G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Before your departure, you stated that you would like to “incorporate the Indo-Pacific perspective into the G7’s discussions and advance concrete cooperation.” Please tell us what kind of discussions took place regarding FOIP at this meeting, and how you assess those discussions.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: At this G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I not only outlined the fundamental concept of FOIP, but also introduced Japan’s practical cooperation under FOIP, such as enhancing connectivity and capacity building in the region, and emphasized the importance of coordination among like-minded countries. Next year marks the 10th anniversary since Japan launched FOIP, and I believe I was able to firmly incorporate Japan’s unique perspective on the Indo-Pacific into the discussions with the G7 and invited countries’ foreign ministers, and deepen discussions to advance more concrete cooperation going forward.

Considering the composition of the G7, it consists of countries from Europe and North America, with Japan as the only Asian member. While each country naturally has ties to the Indo-Pacific, as the country at the very center of the region, I explained various challenges, issues, and cooperation currently taking place in the Indo-Pacific.

Reporter: I would like to ask about the field of economic security, which you mentioned in your opening remarks. I assume it was a major topic at the meeting. Global concerns are growing over China’s export controls on rare earths and its coercive behavior in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. I would like to ask about what kind of discussions took place at the G7, including exchanges at bilateral meetings, on economic security and maritime security, what position Japan presented, and how Japan aims to deepen coordination with other countries in these fields.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: As I mentioned at the outset, today, on the second day, we spent considerable time discussing economic security with the foreign ministers of the G7 countries and invited countries, focusing on issues such as maritime security, energy security, and critical minerals. In particular, I underscored the importance of building resilient supply chains that do not depend on any single country, and received support from many countries.

Through the discussions at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and bilateral meetings, I provided detailed explanations regarding our assessment of the situation and shared our perspectives, while emphasizing the importance of a free and open international order based on the rule of law. Going forward, I intend to deepen coordination with our ally, like-minded countries, as well as with countries in the Global South on how to jointly address threats to maritime security, and on initiatives related to economic security, including strengthening supply chain resilience. There are some areas where we are still lagging behind and need to catch up considerably.

Reporter: You held individual meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Canada, the UK, and France on the margin of this meeting. While the alliance with the U.S. remains the cornerstone for Japan, security cooperation with Europe and Canada has deepened in recent years. How do you view the importance of security cooperation with Europe and Canada, and how do you intend to work on this?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: I have repeatedly emphasized that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine shakes the very foundation of the international order, and this goes beyond Europe. I believe that what is happening in the Euro-Atlantic and the security of the Indo-Pacific are inseparable. Under these circumstances, I believe it is important for Japan to advance security cooperation not only with the U.S. but also with European countries and Canada, with whom we share fundamental values.

Regarding the UK, with whom I held a meeting this time, the UK’s Carrier Strike Group 25 made a port call in Japan this summer, and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) among Japan, the UK and Italy is also making progress. As for Canada, the Japan-Canada Information Security Agreement was signed in July this year, and yesterday Foreign Minister Anand and I concurred on the early signing of the Agreement concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, demonstrating that cooperation in the security field is steadily progressing. For Japan, with FOIP as a pillar of our diplomacy and evolving it in accordance with the changes of the times, I believe that while the U.S. is of course our closest ally, strengthening cooperation with European like-minded countries and Canada, which share our fundamental values, is becoming extremely important.

Reporter: I would like to ask about information dissemination on social media. Since you reassumed the position of Foreign Minister in October, you have been filming and posting short videos on the occasion of international conferences. Some have attracted over 4 million views, and the video of your arrival at the airport for this G7 meeting has also exceeded 1 million views. What is the purpose of these efforts, and how do you view the big response they have received?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: It is not that I suddenly started using social media upon assuming the role of Foreign Minister. I believe that providing detailed explanations and information about Japan’s diplomatic activities and efforts on the front lines is extremely important for gaining public understanding of diplomacy. Having used social media for quite some time, I have noticed that videos that are occasionally humorous, highly engaging, and easy to understand tend to attract more views. Since returning to office as Foreign Minister, I have been trying to communicate as much as possible in my own words, taking opportunities during foreign visits, for example at airports, train stations, between engagements, or when summarizing the meeting after the conclusion of all sessions. I am very pleased that many people appreciate this.

In the sense that diplomacy can only be built on public understanding and trust, I intend to continue strengthening communication efforts.

Reporter: I would like to ask about Prime Minister TAKAICHI’s responses in the Diet. Regarding the Prime Minister’s response that a Taiwan contingency could constitute a survival-threatening situation, the opposition parties have called for a correction or retraction. China revealed that it had lodged a protest with the Japanese side over Japan interfering grossly in its internal affairs. I would like to ask about your understanding of the Prime Minister’s statement, and in relation to this, regarding the social media posts by China’s Consul General in Osaka, the LDP’s Foreign Affairs Committee and others have urged the government to take measures including designating the Consul General as persona non grata (an undesirable person). Similar concerns have been raised by some opposition parties. Could you tell us about the government’s future response and your view on how this might affect Japan-China relations?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: First, whether any given situation constitutes a survival-threatening situation is determined by the Government comprehensively, based on all available information and the specific circumstances of each individual case that occurred. I understand that the Prime Minister’s statement was made in this context.

In any case, peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are important not only for Japan’s security but also for the stability of the international community, and it is the consistent position of Japan to expect that the issue surrounding Taiwan will be resolved peacefully by dialogue.

Additionally, I believe the post by China’s Consul General in Osaka you mentioned is extremely inappropriate as a communication from the head of a diplomatic mission. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs （MOFA） and the Embassy of Japan in China have made démarches to the Chinese side, stating that such posts are extremely inappropriate, lodged a strong protest, and demanded the prompt deletion of the relevant posts, and strongly urged appropriate responses. I understand that some of the posts in question have since become inaccessible.

The multiple inappropriate communications by China’s Consul General in Osaka are regrettable, and we will continue to strongly call on the Chinese side to take appropriate action so that this does not affect the broad direction of Japan-China relations, as confirmed at the Japan-China Summit Meeting and the Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ telephone meeting at the end of last month.