Press Conferences

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: Although my schedule continues into tomorrow, I would like to share my reflections on this week-long overseas visit.

With the international order undergoing major upheavals, strengthening cooperation with like-minded countries and advancing relations with countries of the Global South has become more important than ever. Being this in mind, for my first bilateral overseas visit since assuming office as Foreign Minister in October last year, I visited Israel and Palestine, Qatar, the Philippines, and India.

As for Israel and Palestine, as I explained in my previous press conference, Japan has built good relationships with both sides. I frankly conveyed Japan’s view that there are things that both Israel and Palestine need to do toward the realization of peace in the Middle East. In the meantime, as the international community's efforts toward Gaza’s reconstruction gain momentum, I was able to directly convey Japan’s views and initiatives, including its unique “three-pillar approach to sustain peace” to both sides. I also reaffirmed that Japan is trusted by both Israel and Palestine.

I believe they took my frank advice as coming from a friend very seriously.

In Qatar, my next destination and a country that plays an important mediating role regarding the situation in Gaza, I held a candid exchange of views with their Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed, with whom I have a longstanding relationship, focusing on the situation in the Middle East. We also concurred to further develop bilateral relations in various fields, including, but not limited to, the economy and energy.

In the latter half of the trip, I visited Asia. Amid continuing and intensifying unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force and economic coercion, I shared recognition of the current severe regional and international situation with both the Philippines and India, which are important partners for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP). Building on that, I confirmed future cooperation, including through frameworks such as Japan-U.S.-Philippines and Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad).

In the Philippines, which marks the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations with Japan this year, we signed the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and exchanged notes for the Official Security Assistance (OSA). We concurred on further strengthening cooperation toward peace and stability in the region, welcoming further progress in security and maritime cooperation. We also confirmed the need for cooperation in the field of economic security, in addition to our existing cooperation in disaster management. I understand this includes areas such as critical minerals and semiconductors.

The Philippines is serving as the ASEAN Chair this year, and I believe we were able to make a very good start in advancing our diplomacy with ASEAN.

In India, as a follow-up to Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Japan last August, we were able to deepen our discussions, particularly from the perspectives of ensuring economic growth through economic security cooperation and innovation. The meeting with Prime Minister Modi, initially scheduled for 30 minutes, was extended significantly to about 50 minutes. Subsequently, my meeting with Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar lasted over two hours. We concurred on holding a “Private-Sector Dialogue on Economic Security” and establishing a “Joint Working Group (JWG) on Mineral Resources.” In the IT field, we also concurred to establish the “Japan-India AI Strategic Dialogue.”

Furthermore, given that 2027 will mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and India, we concurred to designate 2027 as the “75th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and India,” with a view to further deepening exchanges. I discussed this with both Prime Minister Modi and Minister Jaishankar.

Through this visit, I gained a strong recognition that the cooperation and contributions Japan has made with like-minded countries and countries of the Global South have led to expectations for Japan, and that amid the increasingly severe international situation, there remains substantial room and great potential for further cooperation toward maintaining the international order.

In 2026, I intend to continue to proactively pursue “vigorous diplomacy with a broad perspective.” I have renewed my determination to continue exercising firm leadership on the frontlines of diplomacy.

I would like to express my gratitude to the ambassadors and staff at our embassies in each region, as well as to the MOFA staff accompanied me from Tokyo, for their various forms of support, including advance preparations.

That concludes my opening remarks.

Reporter: While the U.S. is increasingly focusing its attention on the Western Hemisphere, I understand that you held discussions on the Japan-U.S.-Philippines framework in the Philippines and the Quad framework in India. Based on the outcomes of this overseas visit, what role do you believe Japan should play in maintaining U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific region?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: While you mentioned the U.S. is focused on the Western Hemisphere, I believe the documents also clearly state their engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. The Philippines and India are partners that share fundamental values with Japan and also face common challenges.

Given that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force and coercion in the Indo-Pacific region continue and are intensifying, during this visit I discussed with both countries the strategic importance of further deepening not only bilateral efforts but also cooperation with our ally and like-minded countries through frameworks such as Japan-U.S.-Philippines trilateral cooperation and Quad, and we shared this understanding.

Peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region are critical to the international community as well. As you know, the region accounts for more than half of the world’s population and economy, making it an extremely vital area. With this understanding, we have repeatedly confirmed cooperation with the U.S. toward the common goal of FOIP on multiple occasions. Japan will continue to work closely with the U.S., the Philippines, India, and other relevant countries toward ensuring peace and stability in the region.

Reporter: This year marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the FOIP vision. As China intensifies its hegemonic moves and maintains pressure on the Senkaku Islands, and in light of your discussions in the Philippines and India, which likewise face territorial issues, how do you intend to evolve this vision?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: FOIP is a vision to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world as a whole by maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law in the region.

FOIP was launched exactly ten years ago. Compared to then, the international situation and security environment have indeed become even more severe. Moreover, over the past decade, new challenges, such as economic security and international competition over emerging technologies, have emerged and grown. I believe we need to evolve FOIP in response to these changes in the times in the most appropriate manner.

Keeping these points in mind, during my visits to the Philippines and India, and in my meetings with their Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers, we held meaningful discussions on cooperation in areas such as regional connectivity, maritime security, and economic sectors, including economic security.

Going forward, I intend to further examine how to evolve FOIP, building on these discussions with relevant countries.

Reporter: During this trip, you visited ODA project sites, including flood control projects in Manila, and tomorrow, on the final day of your trip, you will visit the Delhi Metro. Could you please elaborate once again on the diplomatic objectives of providing assistance to these countries?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: Tomorrow, I will be visiting the Delhi Metro in India. On January 14, I visited the River Channel Improvement Project site in the Philippines. The construction of such high-quality infrastructure has greatly inspired the recipient country. Although the entire river project and disaster risk reduction measures have not yet been completed, even at its current stage, damage has been reduced by 15% compared to before the project began. Furthermore, the number of people affected by disasters has decreased from 1 million to 30,000, representing a reduction of 97%. We have received high praise and appreciation for advancing such projects in cooperation with the Philippines through Japan’s excellent technology and human resources. I would like to further strengthen cooperation with both India and the Philippines, which are important partners in the realization of FOIP. Through these efforts, among other initiatives including disaster risk reduction projects, efforts to strengthen connectivity, capacity building, and human resource development, Japan’s ODA contributes to peace and prosperity in the international community while building trust in Japan. These efforts serve Japan’s peace and stability, as well as Japan’s national interest of enhancing its presence in the international community. They also contribute to the realization of FOIP, which Japan advocates. Going forward, we intend to utilize ODA strategically and effectively, not only by responding to requests from partners but also through co-creation for common agenda, to address important issues such as economic security and advance tailor-made cooperation with the Global South.

Reporter: Prime Minister TAKAICHI recently informed senior ruling party officials of her intention to dissolve the House of Representatives early in the ordinary session of the Diet. While there has been little progress in improving relations with China, and the U.S. is actively pursuing diplomacy regarding Venezuela and Iran, this will create a political vacuum in Japan. How do you, as a diplomatic authority, perceive this?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: As the dissolution of the House of Representatives is an exclusive right of the Prime Minister, I would like to refrain from commenting on that matter. That said, whatever the circumstances may be, I am determined to ensure that there is no stagnation in diplomacy. During the House of Representatives election two elections ago, I was serving as Foreign Minister. On the first day of the campaign, North Korea launched a ballistic missile. I immediately returned from the campaign trail to the Prime Minister’s Office and held a meeting of four Ministers, responding firmly to the situation. I intend to act in the same manner this time. Should various situations arise or should meetings and other diplomatic engagements become necessary, I will respond accordingly. I intend to fulfill my duties and responsibilities as Foreign Minister, including during the election period.