Press Conferences

Kyodo News, ONDA: I have a question related to the U.S.-China Summit meeting. The White House released an outcome document summarizing the agreements reached at the meeting. The document states that the two countries will “build a constructive relationship of strategic stability on the basis of fairness and reciprocity.” It did not mention the Taiwan issue. President Trump has described U.S. arms sales to Taiwan as a very good negotiating chip, making U.S. defense support for Taiwan uncertain. Should the U.S. not follow through with the arms sales, it could have significant implications for the regional situation. Please share your thoughts on this.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: I am aware of the announcement and the remark you mentioned. However, I would like to refrain from commenting on them individually.

That being said, peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are important for the international community as a whole. It has been the consistent position of Japan that it expects that the issue surrounding Taiwan will be resolved peacefully through dialogue.

Yomiuri Shimbun, FUKUDA: Prime Minister TAKAICHI is visiting the ROK today. The ROK side has explained that she will receive “honors equivalent to those accorded during a state visit.” First, could you please share your thoughts on this welcome the ROK is extending to the Prime Minister? Second, as the visit is taking place as part of the two leaders’ shuttle diplomacy, what significance do you see in continuing reciprocal visits between the two leaders? I would appreciate it if you could answer these two points.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: We greatly appreciate the warm welcome that is being extended.

Under the current strategic environment, the importance of the Japan-ROK relations, as well as trilateral relations and coordination among Japan, the U.S., and the ROK, has grown even more. Amid these circumstances, in order to develop the Japan-ROK relations in a future-oriented and stable manner, the Governments of Japan and the ROK have concurred on maintaining close communication, including the promotion of the “shuttle diplomacy.” I believe Prime Minister TAKAICHI’s visit to the ROK will serve as an important opportunity to that end.

Amid the current severe international situation, particularly the situations in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, I believe that cooperation among like-minded countries, including energy cooperation, is of utmost urgency.

In light of these aspects, I believe this visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to engage in more extensive discussion on cooperation between our two governments and the direction for further developing Japan-ROK relations.

Chugoku Shimbun, SHIMOTAKA: I would like to ask about the Japan-ROK cooperation on DNA tests of the human remains found at the Chosei coal mine in Yamaguchi Prefecture, as announced by the Government of Japan yesterday. It was reported that the two governments will cooperate on DNA tests in this case. However, many more human remains are still believed to be inside the coal mine. Please tell us whether the Government of Japan plans to conduct an investigation of the coal mine and whether it intends to coordinate with the ROK on this matter.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: Regarding your question on the Government’s future course of action, I understand that the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is currently gathering expert opinions on safety and other matters related to the coal mine investigation.

We will continue to respond appropriately in coordination with the relevant ministries and agencies.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: My question is on the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has reportedly formulated a new policy that terminates the free passage through the Strait of Hormuz and imposes fees on ships, similar to the fee structures applied by other countries worldwide. May I ask if Japan supports or opposes this new policy enacted by Iran to impose fees on ships? And did you cooperate with other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, in this regard?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: While we are closely monitoring with great interest the developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, including the reports you referred to, I would like to refrain from commenting on individual reports.

That being said, it has been Japan’s consistent position that it is important to ensure free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz for all vessels, including Japan-related vessels.

In particular, Japan has repeatedly conveyed this position to Iran, and as a result, Japan-related vessels safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz on April 29 and May 14. We did not pay any transit fees during this process.

In our communications with various countries, we have consistently emphasized the importance of ensuring free and safe navigation for vessels of all countries, including Japan. Japan has been communicating closely with the Gulf States as well, such as Saudi Arabia, which you mentioned, including at the leaders’ and foreign ministerial levels. Japan and the respective countries concur that it is important that stability in the Strait of Hormuz be restored as soon as possible.