Press Conferences

Foreign Press Secretary KITAMURA Toshihiro: I have two announcements at the outset.

The first is about an exhibition featuring materials related to Australia at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

This year, 2026, marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Japan and Australia, and the establishment of the Australia-Japan Foundation. In commemoration of this occasion, the Diplomatic Archives of MOFA will hold a special exhibition in co-sponsorship with the Australian Embassy in Japan, from Wednesday, June 17 to Saturday, August 1.

The Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Japan and Australia, signed in Tokyo in June 1976, was aimed at expanding and strengthening relations between the two countries across a wide range of fields, and has played a crucial role as the foundation for the development of Japan-Australia relations. Japan and Australia are like-minded countries that have the will and capability to play a leading role in advancing “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP),” which was proposed by Japan, under the “Special Strategic Partnership,” and their bilateral cooperation has become even more important. Furthermore, during Prime Minister TAKAICHI’s visit to Australia in May, both countries reaffirmed the strengthening of relations across all areas, including security and economic security.

This special exhibition will feature the original Treaty documents held by MOFA, as well as panels that introduce the wide range of themes related to Japan-Australia relations. We hope you will visit the Diplomatic Archives Exhibition Room at Azabudai Hills.

Press Secretary KITAMURA: The second concerns MOFA’s mid-career recruitment.

MOFA will conduct mid-career recruitment and accept applications from Friday, July 31, to Monday, August 31. Positions are available in two categories, career-track personnel and specialist personnel.

As the international environment changes at an unprecedented pace and diplomatic challenges grow and become more complex, MOFA seeks individuals with abundant experience and diverse backgrounds.

Starting this fiscal year, MOFA will introduce our own recruitment process for specialist positions, transitioning from recruitment through the National Personnel Authority to an independent recruitment process. Specifically, we have revised recruitment process so that applicants will proceed to in-person interviews after passing document screening and online interviews. This revision will make it easier for many people, including those living overseas or based in regional areas, to apply.

Please refer to the recruitment guidelines on the MOFA website for details. We welcome applications from those who are eager to work with us at the forefront of diplomacy.

Press Secretary KITAMURA: I have one additional announcement. We will shortly issue a Press Secretary's statement, on the latest situation in Israel and Lebanon. As the key messages were already conveyed by Foreign Minister MOTEGI at the press conference yesterday, I will not repeat them here, but please refer to the statement to be issued shortly for details.

That concludes my announcements.