Press Conferences

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: Six sessions were held at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. While the overviews have already been announced in press releases, I would like to once again provide a summary of the highlights. Over the course of two days, I engaged in in-depth exchanges of views with the Foreign Ministers of the G7 countries on issues facing the international community, and, depending on the session, with those of the invited countries as well. The issues covered included the current tense situation in the Middle East surrounding Iran, regional situations such as those in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific, as well as cross-cutting issues such as maritime security and economic security.

First, regarding the situation in the Middle East, I emphasized in particular that ensuring the safety of navigation of all vessels in the Strait of Hormuz is an urgent priority for the entire international community. In order to mitigate the impact on the global economy, I stated that Japan would continue to take all possible measures to ensure a stable supply of energy. These measures include international efforts, bilateral engagement with Iran, including the telephone meetings and other exchanges I myself have held with Foreign Minister Araghchi on two separate occasions, and the collective release of oil stockpiles that were recently decided upon. I introduced Japan’s leading decision on the release of oil stockpiles, at a scale second only to the United States. Furthermore, just a short while ago, the G7 Foreign Ministers issued the Joint Statement of G7 Foreign Ministers on Iran.

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, we reaffirmed our commitment to work closely together as the G7 to achieve a just and lasting peace. I stated that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force must not be tolerated anywhere in the world, and that it is essential for the G7 and relevant countries to work together in solidarity to support Ukraine. I also introduced Japan’s efforts to support Ukraine, including recovery and reconstruction support through public-private partnership.

Regarding the situation in the Indo-Pacific, as Japan is the only G7 member from Asia, I explained Japan’s position on recent developments concerning China, including Japan-China relations, and also emphasized the importance of the complete denuclearization of North Korea. In addition, I once again asked the other G7 members　for understanding and cooperation, as they have always provided, toward the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.

We also devoted considerable time to cross-cutting themes such as maritime security and critical minerals supply chains. On maritime security, I emphasized the need to ensure safe maritime transportation, including in the Strait of Hormuz. I also introduced Japan’s initiatives under the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).” Furthermore, I stressed the importance of securing a stable supply of critical minerals and called for the need to strengthen efforts to diversify supply sources and develop appropriate markets. The G7 confirmed its intention to continue to work in close coordination on these matters.

Taking advantage of my visit to France and the G7 meeting, I also held bilateral Foreign Ministers’ meetings with France, the UK, and Germany, as well as the 3rd Japan-EU Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue. In addition, I visited UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, where I held a meeting with the newly appointed Director-General of UNESCO, H.E. Prof. El-Enany. Over two days of in-depth discussions on the issues facing the international community, we were able to share the recognition that the security environment is becoming increasingly severe across a wide range of fields. On that basis, we confirmed that close communication and strengthened cooperation among the G7 and like-minded countries are becoming more important than ever.

Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to Foreign Minister Barrot of France, representing the G7 Presidency, for his warm hospitality. That concludes my opening remarks.

Reporter: Although there may be some overlap with the remarks you just made, I would appreciate it if you could provide a more detailed explanation of what Japan, as the only G7 member from Asia, discussed about the G7’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific, as well as the outcomes of the discussion. The TAKAICHI administration has vowed to evolve FOIP. Please also share how Japan intends to work with the other G7 members to evolve FOIP initiatives.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: As I stated earlier, as Japan is the only G7 member from Asia, I took the lead in explaining the developments concerning China and North Korea. In addition, in light of the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, I believe maritime security, including freedom of navigation, was one of the priority themes. From this and other perspectives, I emphasized the principles of FOIP, such as freedom, openness, and the rule of law. During the discussion on maritime security, I introduced in particular Japan’s initiatives in the region under FOIP, including capacity-building assistance, and asked the other G7 members for their further cooperation. Throughout the discussions, I believe that the G7, as well as the invited countries, gained a deeper understanding of Japan’s views and its basic position.

As you know, this year marks exactly ten years since FOIP was launched. Since then, as I mentioned earlier, economic security challenges have emerged, and international competition over emerging technologies has intensified. The issues facing the international community are also becoming increasingly diverse and complex. We believe it is necessary to strategically evolve FOIP in response to these changes.

Reporter: Tomorrow, March 28, marks one month since the U.S. and Israel launched a military operation against Iran. Could you please share your views on this development? Additionally, as you mentioned in your opening remarks, the G7 Foreign Ministers issued a statement on Iran. Please tell us once again what specific outcomes were achieved at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting toward a de-escalation of the situation in Iran.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: Regarding the situation in Iran, the exchange of retaliatory attacks has continued for a month. During this period, human and material losses have expanded, including in neighboring countries, and concerns are growing over the stable supply of energy. We take seriously the fact that crude oil and other prices are rising. What is needed now, above all, is to work toward an early de-escalation of the situation. I emphasized this point during the meeting, and I think many countries, indeed, all countries, shared the view that an early de-escalation of the situation is of utmost importance. At the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, such discussions took place on the situation surrounding Iran. I emphasized in particular that ensuring the safety of navigation of all vessels in the Strait of Hormuz is an urgent priority. To this end, I explained that Japan is engaged in various international efforts, including efforts for issuing the joint statement. I also explained Japan’s bilateral engagement with Iran to the other G7 members. The other G7 members, including the U.S., likewise outlined their initiatives and positions. I did not see any discrepancies in the basic positions of the respective countries. Given the impact on the global economy, ensuring the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is an issue that needs to be addressed by the entire international community, not only by the parties concerned. On this point, we concurred on the need to continue communicating closely among the G7 and relevant countries.

Reporter: I would like to ask about the outcomes of the meeting from the perspective of economic security. On this occasion, during both the plenary sessions and your bilateral meetings, you conveyed the importance of economic security and the need to strengthen cooperation. Please share what you consider to be the outcomes achieved from these meetings with respect to strengthening economic security, as well as the significance of those outcomes.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: There is no doubt that addressing economic security challenges, including strengthening supply chain resilience and responding to economic coercion, is becoming increasingly important. In particular, amid the risk of disruptions to critical mineral supply chains, the stable supply of critical minerals is indispensable to the sustainable development of the global economy. This is an issue that affects a wide range of countries through supply chains that begin with critical minerals and rare earths, which are processed into components and ultimately into finished products. I explained this issue with concrete examples and gained understanding of the participating countries. Countries representing the Global South, such as India, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, were invited to participate this time. The G7 countries, like-minded countries, and countries of the Global South, such as those I just mentioned, include, for example, countries with capabilities in mining critical minerals and those possessing technologies for processing and refining them. It was significant that we were able to agree to work closely together to strengthen the critical minerals supply chains.