Press Conferences

Foreign Press Secretary KITAMURA Toshihiro: At the outset, I would like to make two announcements.

The first concerns the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)’s efforts to build networks of experts on Japan overseas.

The 6th Japan Alumni Conference, a gathering of representatives from Japan alumni associations—organizations of former international students who studied in Japan—will be held at MOFA headquarters on March 2 and March 3. Former international students who have returned to their home countries after studying in Japan play active roles in a wide range of fields, including promoting study in Japan and supporting events organized by Japanese embassies and consulates general and they contribute to raising awareness of Japan. They are invaluable partners for Japan.

While Japan alumni associations have primarily focused on expanding their networks within their respective countries, since 2021 MOFA has been hosting the Japan Alumni Conference with the aim of broadening horizontal links among these associations and mutually sharing their activities and expertise.

This year’s conference will feature the in-person participation of representatives of Japan alumni associations from 17 countries, with sessions planned to introduce each associations’ activities and to exchange views. The conference will also be streamed online. State Minister for Foreign Affairs HORII Iwao will attend the opening ceremony, at which a video message from Prime Minister TAKAICHI Sanae will be delivered. We hope to further enlarge the circle of “Japan's friends” through this conference.

Press Secretary Kitamura: The second announcement concerns the Japan International MANGA Award Ceremony.

As I announced at the press conference on December 24 last year, the award ceremony for the 19th Japan International MANGA Award will be held next week on Wednesday, March 4, at Iikura Guest House.

The Gold Award was won by one work from Brazil, and the Silver Award was given to three works from Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

The four Gold and Silver Award winners will be invited to the ceremony, where Minister for Foreign Affairs MOTEGI, who serves as the chair of the executive committee, will present the awards.

Kyodo News, MATSUURA: President Trump of the U.S. has just concluded his State of the Union address. I would like to ask about three points in this regard.

First, regarding tariffs, the President reaffirmed his intention to continue his tariff policy and stated that any alternative measures would be even stronger. President Trump has already announced measures to replace the “reciprocal tariffs” that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unlawful, and his remarks were widely interpreted as signaling a further strengthening of high-tariff policy.

He also referred to securing U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere and indicated that military options would not be ruled out regarding Iran's nuclear issue. These remarks underscored the importance of Japan’s diplomatic efforts to ensure continued U.S. engagement in East Asia and to resolve the Iran nuclear issue through dialogue.

With that in mind, could you share your assessment of these points and elaborate on the Government of Japan’s response, including Prime Minister TAKAICHI’s planned visit to the United States?

Press Secretary Kitamura: A short while ago, although it is still February 24 local time in the U.S., President Trump delivered a State of the Union Address before a Joint Session of the U.S. Congress.

The Government of Japan would like to refrain from commenting on each and individual statement made by President Trump. We understand that his address reflects his views on his priorities and achievements, among other matters, across a wide range of domestic and foreign affairs.

With that said, in response to the three questions you have raised, especially regarding tariffs, allow me to outline Japan’s basic position. As has been explained on numerous occasions by the Chief Cabinet Secretary and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, we intend to continue examining the substance of the recent Supreme Court ruling and implications of relevant measures. We will also continue to closely monitor other related developments, including the U.S. Government's response and any implications for the agreements between Japan and the United States, with great interest.

With regard to Prime Minister TAKAICHI’s visit to the United States that you mentioned, it goes without saying that the Japan-U.S. Alliance is the cornerstone of Japan’s diplomacy and security. We will continue to work, at various levels, to build a strong relationship of trust and cooperation and, looking ahead to the upcoming Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting, to elevate the Japan-U.S. Alliance to an even higher level.