Press Conferences

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: Just a short while ago, I held a telephone meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Sa’ar of Israel. A press release will be issued shortly, but to give you an overview, at the outset I clearly reiterated Japan’s position as stated in the Foreign Minister’s statement of March 1 and also explained the meetings I held with regional countries this week.

I then conveyed Japan’s grave concern that the exchange of attacks continues and the regional situation is deteriorating, and stated that I strongly hope for the early de-escalation of the situation. Furthermore, I requested Minister Sa’ar to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in the region and to provide support for their departure. In response, the Minister affirmed that Israel would lend its full cooperation.

The second announcement is about assistance for the departure of Japanese nationals in the Middle East. We will begin transporting Japanese nationals in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates as early as tomorrow. The Government will provide assistance by arranging ground transportation for Japanese nationals to regional countries where airports are open, and by transporting them from those countries to Tokyo on private chartered planes.

In preparation for unforeseen situations, including the possibility that a private chartered plane cannot operate, we are also proceeding with preparations to transport Japanese nationals by Self-Defense Forces aircraft as a precautionary measure. Today, I requested the Minister of Defense to commence these preparatory actions.

The situation is constantly changing, but we will continue to take all possible measures to ensure the protection of Japanese nationals, while taking into account the situation on the ground and their needs.

That concludes my opening remarks.

Kyodo News, ONDA: I would like to ask about the evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Middle East, which you mentioned earlier. Please give us an update on the situation, such as the number of people subject to evacuation and the detailed schedule. In addition, at the meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs today, you disclosed that two Japanese nationals are currently detained in Iran. Please share with us the efforts being made to secure their early release.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: At present, the Government of Japan and our embassies in the region are working to ascertain the number of people who wish to receive departure assistance, as well as their specific circumstances, such as whether they have young children, or whether they are elderly or pregnant. Based on this assessment, we will begin transporting Japanese nationals by land to Riyadh and Muscat as early as tomorrow.

At this point, it is difficult to provide an outlook for the future. We will continue to take all possible measures to ensure the protection of Japanese nationals and to assist those who wish to return to Japan, taking into account the situation on the ground and their needs.

With regard to the two Japanese nationals currently detained in Iran, the Government is strongly urging their early release and is continuing to take all possible measures to ensure their safety. On March 2, I held a meeting with the Iranian Ambassador to Japan and directly urged the Ambassador to secure their early release.

We will continue to maintain close communication with the Japanese nationals themselves, as well as their families and others, and will provide as much support as possible from the standpoint of protecting Japanese nationals.

Tribune News, Susilo: Regarding a visit to Japan by the Indonesian President, could you tell us how far preparations have progressed on the Japanese side? Thank you.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: As for the visit you mentioned, nothing has been decided at this stage.

In any case, Japan and Indonesia, as Comprehensive Strategic Partners, are strengthening cooperation in the areas of security, economy, and people-to-people exchanges, and are also working together in the international arena. Japan intends to continue cooperating closely with Indonesia at all levels, including the high level.

Independent Web Journal, HAMAMOTO: My question is about the situation in Iran. If the war with Iran were to escalate into a full-scale and prolonged conflict, the countries that would face difficulties are those in East Asia, including Japan, which depend on oil and natural gas from the Middle East. For example, wouldn’t it be necessary for Japan, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and others to make diplomatic efforts to jointly urge the U.S. to bring about an early end to the fighting and to avoid an oil crisis? If the U.S. were to refuse such a request, I believe another option might be to lift the economic sanctions against Russia, seek a reconciliation with Russia, and begin negotiations to import oil and natural gas from Russia. In any case, if an oil crisis were to occur, logistics and transportation would be disrupted, bringing the entire national economy to a standstill. To avoid such a situation, which could be described as a survival-threatening situation, I believe the fundamental shift in Japan’s conventional diplomatic policy would be necessary. I would like to hear your thoughts on this matter.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: Peace and stability in the Middle East is indeed an issue of critical importance for the people of the region.

At the same time, it is also a vital issue for Japan from the standpoint of energy security. We will coordinate with the international community and undertake all necessary diplomatic efforts toward the early de-escalation of the situation.

As you are aware, since the outset of the situation on February 28, I have been holding a wide range of meetings throughout the week, including over the weekend. Beginning with the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I have been engaging in daily communications with various countries and relevant parties, even in between parliamentary sessions, to realize the early de-escalation of the situation.

While you may have suggested your approach as a possible solution in pursuing these diplomatic efforts, it does not align with my own views.

Voice of Vietnam, Tuan: I will not ask about the situation in Iran. My question concerns a different matter. May I proceed? Japan has set a target to attract approximately 60 million foreign visitors per year by 2030, yet it is planning to tighten its visa issuance regulations. I would like to ask for your thought on whether this may impact the likelihood of reaching that target. Thank you.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: First, the term “visa issuance regulations” may be somewhat misleading. With regard to visas, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is examining revisions to the visa fees in accordance with the “Comprehensive Measures for the Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and for Well-Ordered and Harmonious Coexistence,” which was approved this January. The details will be determined after the completion of the required procedures, including the public comment process.

MOFA will take steps to ensure the optimal implementation of the system overall, taking into account the impact on inbound tourism to Japan, alongside conducting appropriate and stringent visa examinations.