Press Conferences

Foreign Press Secretary KITAMURA Toshihiro: I have one announcement at the outset. I would like to encourage everyone to register with our overseas travel registration service (Tabi-Regi).

As you are aware, since the attacks against Iran on February 28, our diplomatic missions in the Middle East region have been making every effort to ensure the protection of Japanese nationals, based on the security situation on the ground and their needs.

If you are experiencing difficulties or require assistance, please contact your nearest diplomatic mission. Assistance is available even on holidays and outside regular business hours. For contact information, please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website and our official social media accounts.

Our diplomatic missions in the Middle East region are currently sending out updates on security conditions and the status of airports and flights to those who have submitted Overseas Residential Registration and those registered with Tabi-Regi, both regularly and as needed. By registering with Tabi-Regi, you can receive timely and up-to-date information directly from the diplomatic mission serving your area. We strongly urge Japanese nationals who are stranded in the Middle East due to airport closures or other circumstances to register with Tabi-Regi as soon as possible to obtain the latest information.

Please note that family members in Japan can also register for Tabi-Regi and will receive the same information provided locally. Registration is also possible via LINE. We encourage you to register for Tabi-Regi as your “lifeline” when traveling abroad.

Yomiuri Shimbun, KITAMURA: Excuse me for bringing up a matter separate from your opening remarks, but I would like to ask about some criticism directed at Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs ERI Arfiya in China. Since February 27, videos originating from local Chinese media that personally attack the Parliamentary Vice-Minister, accusing her of continually disparaging China over the Xinjiang issue, have been spreading on the internet. Amid deteriorating Japan-China relations, China has been increasingly engaging in propaganda that portrays Japan as militaristic. How does the Ministry view the spread of such personal criticism directed at the Parliamentary Vice-Minister?

Press Secretary KITAMURA: We are aware of the videos and other content from Chinese media that you mentioned.

Content that personally disparages Parliamentary Vice-Minister ERI on the basis of her background is highly inappropriate, and we are deeply concerned about this.

We have lodged a demarche with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels and have requested that appropriate measures be taken.