Press Conferences

Foreign Press Secretary KITAMURA Toshihiro: I have two announcements at the outset. First, I would like to introduce the High School Students Summit on “World Tsunami Awareness Day.”

On November 27 and November 28, the seventh High School Students Summit on “World Tsunami Awareness Day” will be held at the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) of Tohoku University, co-hosted by Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA), among others.

This event is held in conjunction with “World Tsunami Awareness Day” on November 5, which was designated by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly at Japan’s initiative. It provides an opportunity for high school students, who will lead the next generation, to learn about the threats of earthquakes and tsunamis, discuss disaster risk reduction, and deepen their mutual bonds. This seventh summit will bring together approximately 88 high school students from 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan.

Tomorrow, November 27, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs ERI will attend the opening ceremony. Through this High School Students Summit, the Government of Japan aims to relay disaster memories and experiences to young people and continue to communicate the importance of disaster risk reduction to the world.

Press Secretary KITAMURA: Second, from December 2 to December 4, the “South Asian Counter Terrorism Workshop: Building Cooperation and Coordination to Promote the Rule of Law” will be co-hosted by MOFA, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI), and the European Union (EU).

From the MOFA, a State Minister or a Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs is scheduled to attend the opening session on December 2 at the Mita Conference Hall (Mita Kaigisho).

Government officials and private-sector representatives from India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka will participate, along with representatives from international organizations and companies in the social media and gaming sectors. This workshop will focus on the Role of Youth in Upholding the Rule of Law and Enhancing Strategic Communications in the Digital Space to Prevent Violent Extremism in South Asia. Under this theme, the workshop is expected to enhance the capacities of participants from each country.

NHK, KAWAMURA: I would like to ask about Japan-China relations. Regarding the resumption of imports of Japanese aquatic products, the Chinese government has requested additional measures from the Japanese government. Could you tell us if there has been any progress toward resuming imports since then?

Press Secretary KITAMURA: First, I would like to explain the basic stance of the Government. Regarding China’s import restrictions on Japanese aquatic products, we believe that what is most important is the steady implementation of the “Shared Recognition between Japan and China” announced by the Governments of Japan and China in September last year. Based on this understanding, as I have explained previously, following China’s announcement of the resumption of imports and the implementation of the first shipment, we have been continuing technical exchanges with the Chinese side. I would like to refrain from disclosing the details.

In any case, the Government will continue to urge the Chinese side to facilitate exports from Japan, including through the prompt re-registration of Japanese export-related facilities, and will strongly call for the lifting of import restrictions on aquatic products from the remaining 10 prefectures.

Mainichi Shimbun, TADOKORO: I would like to ask about infographics, which also relates to Japan-China relations. I understand that the MOFA is utilizing infographics to help more people read about its policies and communications. Could you tell us about its aim and your view on its effectiveness?

Press Secretary KITAMURA: We believe it is extremely important to clearly explain and communicate Japan’s foreign policy and efforts to gain accurate public understanding and support for diplomacy. In the external communication, in addition to communication through the press, we are focusing on direct communication from MOFA via the Internet, including so-called social networking services.

In doing so, as you pointed out, we are actively using infographics, generally referred to as a method of organizing and presenting information using not only text but also diagrams and illustrations in an easy-to-understand manner, as well as short videos to communicate in a more accessible format. Through these efforts, we aim to reach a wider range of people with information about diplomacy and help them understand it.

Going forward, we will continuously examine better communication methods, taking into account the various evolving technologies and modalities in cyberspace. We will continue to make efforts for timely and appropriate communication through such effective methods, not only domestically but also internationally.