Press Conferences

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: This is the first press conference of the year. I look forward to working with you all again this year.

First, I have an announcement about my overseas visit.

I will visit Israel, Palestine, Qatar, the Philippines, and India from tomorrow, January 10, to January 18.

Last year, I made three overseas visits to attend international meetings, including the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and held bilateral meetings with my counterparts on the sidelines. For my first overseas trip this year, I will visit the Middle East and Asia. This will be my first bilateral visit since assuming office last year.

At a time when the existing international order is greatly shaken, I believe working with like-minded countries and strengthening relationships with countries known as the Global South is becoming more important than ever in order to maintain a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

On these grounds, I will first visit the Middle East, a key region for international stability.

First and foremost, the robust implementation of the “Comprehensive Plan” is crucial for improving the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine, and Japan will continue to play a proactive role. Furthermore, to de-escalate tensions and build peace in this region, I believe it is necessary to overcome the longstanding mutual distrust. To this end, it is important for both Israel and Palestine to take concrete actions, rather than simply making forward-looking statements.

Japan has maintained good relations with both Israel and Palestine. The primary purpose of my visit to the Middle East is to convey Japan’s candid views on future concrete measures to both sides, based on this foundation of trust, and to explain how Japan will cooperate.

First, it is important to steadily implement the “Comprehensive Plan” to realize peace in the Middle East. In considering the next steps, resolving mutual distrust is crucial as this will lead to regional stability. In this light, there are things that Israel needs to fulfill. There are things Palestine needs to fulfill. I will convey Japan’s candid views on this matter and explain that Japan intends to cooperate toward this end.

I will also be visiting India and the Philippines, both of which are important partners for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP). I will have in-depth discussions with their foreign ministers and other high-level officials regarding regional and international situations and strengthen cooperation in various fields, including security and the economy.

This year marks exactly ten years since Japan launched FOIP and its importance is increasing. Given that the environment surrounding the international community is changing, FOIP must evolve in response to these changes, and I hope to discuss this as well. I would like to deepen discussions on this, among others with India and the Philippines, both of which are vital countries for the realization of FOIP.

That concludes my opening remarks.

Kyodo News, ONDA: I would like to ask about China’s export control measures. China announced that it would tighten export controls on dual-use items destined for Japan in accordance with its regulations, and investigate a material used for semiconductor production from Japan on suspicion of dumping. It appears that China is ramping up economic coercion. Could you please share your thoughts on this as Foreign Minister? Additionally, the designation of dual-use items could be interpreted as a constraint on Japan’s security sector. Do you consider that China’s countermeasures to Prime Minister TAKAICHI’s response in the Diet have entered a new phase?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: First, China’s recent export control measures are targeted only at Japan. They deviate significantly from international practice and are absolutely unacceptable and deeply regrettable. We have already made a demarche to the Chinese side, strongly protested and demanded the withdrawal of these measures.

I would like to refrain from commenting on each individual measure of another government, such as investigations into anti-dumping duties. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will take necessary measures, including a thorough examination of possible impacts in coordination with relevant ministries and agencies.

While the Government is not in a position to explain China’s intentions regarding these measures, Japan intends to continue taking a calm, resolute, and necessary approach in view of our national interests, in close coordination with the U.S., G7 members, and other relevant countries.

In any case, strengthening the resilience of supply chains is an urgent issue, and there are measures that Japan can take. Also, we can strengthen supply chains in cooperation with our ally, like-minded countries, and the Global South, which I mentioned earlier. We will firmly uphold a truly free and open trading system.

Sankei Shimbun, NAGAHARA: While you have just announced your visit to the Middle East and Asia, it was also announced today that Prime Minister TAKAICHI will hold Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan-Italy Summit meetings next week. They are drawing significant attention, as the Japan-ROK Summit meeting is scheduled to take place in Prime Minister TAKAICHI’s hometown and the Japan-Italy Summit will feature female leaders. Please share with us the objectives and expectations for the meetings as the MOFA.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: Japan will host summit meetings with the ROK and Italy right away this January. Regarding the former, President Lee Jae Myung will visit Japan from January 13 to January14, for a summit meeting in Nara. It will mark this year’s first “shuttle diplomacy” meeting, which has been agreed upon between the two countries.

Considering the current strategic environment, it is becoming more important to strengthen the Japan-ROK relations and Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation. The Governments of Japan and the ROK have concurred on continuing close communication to develop the Japan-ROK relations in a future-oriented and stable manner.

The first “shuttle diplomacy” meeting of the year will take place in Nara, following last year’s meeting in the ROK. MOFA will undertake thorough preparations so that President Lee’s visit to Japan becomes an important opportunity for shuttle diplomacy.

Immediately after President Lee returns to the ROK, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy will visit Japan from January 15 to January 17 and hold a meeting with Prime Minister TAKAICHI, among other events. On this occasion, Japan would like to strengthen bilateral relations, including in the areas of security and the economy. Japan, Italy, and the UK are currently collaborating on the development of a next generation fighter jet. I expect that the two leaders engage in candid discussions on a wide range of issues, including regional and international situations, to further strengthen bilateral relations and to contribute to enhancing the unity of the G7, of which Italy is a member.

This year marks the 160th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Italy, and we expect that Prime Minister Meloni’s visit to Japan will further deepen the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: Happy new year, Minister. My question is what is the main challenge or priority for Japan’s diplomacy in this new year, 2026. Thank you.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: The prevailing international order is being destabilized and challenged in various regions and sectors. At the same time, there are growing and expanding issues that need to be addressed, including economic security and climate change.

We are witnessing an intensification of concerning developments, such as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the unstable situation in the Middle East, China’s diplomatic posture and military activities in Japan’s periphery, North Korea’s nuclear and missile development, and military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

Amid these circumstances, I strongly feel that expectations for Japan as a reliable partner are growing even stronger. Last year, through a series of diplomatic opportunities, I forged relationships of trust with many counterparts from our ally and like-minded countries.

This year, building on the diplomatic efforts undertaken last year, I intend to continue working proactively on, first, deepening the Japan-U.S. Alliance and the broad cooperative relationship between Japan and the U.S.; second, advancing multifaceted cooperation with like-minded countries; and third, strengthening relations with countries of the Global South.

As I mentioned earlier, this year marks ten years since the launch of FOIP. I am committed to robustly promoting FOIP as a pillar of Japanese diplomacy and evolve it in line with changing times.

This year, I will continue to proactively pursue vigorous diplomacy with a broad perspective, including through my overseas visit starting tomorrow.

Bloomberg, NOHARA: I would like to ask about China. Regarding China’s diplomacy and military activities, which you mentioned earlier, China has just recently repeatedly argued through think tank reports and other channels that Japan’s plutonium production exceeds the amount necessary for civilian nuclear power generation, and that Japan is stepping up efforts to manufacture nuclear weapons. Please share your views on this. Thank you.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: I have also previously served as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Having been involved in this field in various capacities, I can state that there is absolutely no truth to such claims.

Independent Web Journal, HAMAMOTO: I have a question on the U.S. invasion of Venezuela. The U.S. has detained a foreign head of state and his spouse under U.S. laws, forcibly brought them to the U.S., and is putting them on trial. This constitutes an infringement of state sovereignty under international law. For example, if Prime Minister TAKAICHI and her spouse were to face a similar situation at the hands of the U.S., would any Japanese citizen find it acceptable? The U.S. invasion of Venezuela is unprovoked aggression and is a unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force. The Government of Japan’s silence, even as members of the international community successively voice condemnation over the appropriateness of this incident, contradicts considerably with the stance Japan demonstrated toward Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Could you please explain the reasons for this inconsistency, and share your thoughts on how Japan intends to contribute to addressing this issue?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: I believe there is no inconsistency in Japan’s responses or statements. Allow me to explain in detail.

Japan has consistently respected fundamental values, such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. As a matter of course, Japan believes that the principles of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations (UN), must be respected.

Regarding Venezuela specifically, a concerning situation has persisted under the Maduro regime for a long time. It includes, as you are aware, human rights issues, untransparent elections, and the outflow of refugees fleeing Venezuela.

Based on our consistent position that restoring democracy in Venezuela as soon as possible and stabilizing the situation is essential, Japan has continued to provide assistance to the Venezuelan people, including those fleeing Venezuela, and extend support to neighboring countries affected.

A G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting was held recently. I believe it was the shared view of the ministers that it is important for democracy to be restored and for the situation to stabilize in Venezuela.

Japan will continue to advance diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring democracy and stabilizing the situation in Venezuela, while working closely with G7 members and relevant countries.

Since immediately after the onset of this incident, we have taken the necessary measures while prioritizing the safety of Japanese nationals. During the recent G7 Foreign Ministers’ telephone meeting, I called on the G7 members to work together to ensure the safety of their nationals.

MOFA has been providing information to Japanese nationals in Venezuela, including issuing consular emails and spot information. We have also contacted all Japanese nationals in Venezuela and confirmed their safety. At this point in time, we have received no reports of any harm to Japanese nationals.

It is true that the assessment of the recent incident under international law is being discussed within the international community, including by the UN, governments, and experts. However, since it is difficult to obtain the accurate and detailed facts on this incident in a sufficiently objective manner, Japan would like to refrain from making a legal assessment.

Regarding your question on Russia, Russia has unilaterally invaded Ukraine and violated its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and this situation continues. These are the facts, obviously, and Japan views Russia’s aggression against Ukraine as a clear violation of international law.