Press Conferences

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

The first is about the “Africa Youth Program,” an exchange program to promote understanding of Japan. As we published a press release yesterday, from June 29 to July 8, a total of 134 people will visit Japan. The delegation comprises 124 high school students and 10 accompanying staff from five African countries, namely Ghana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Mozambique.

At the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) held in August last year, Japan announced that it would accelerate its efforts in seven areas, including the promotion of investment in Africa. Human resource development and exchange focusing on youth and women is one of those areas, and this program embodies that commitment.

During their stay, the delegation will follow a program in Tokyo, and also will split into several groups to visit regional areas.

The exchange program is expected to promote mutual understanding between the younger generations of Japan and Africa, encouraging each participant to serve as a bridge and help strengthen ties between Japan and African countries in the years ahead.

Press Secretary KITAMURA: The second announcement concerns “Children’s Kasumigaseki Tour Day.” Today, we are joined by “Rabbit,” MOFA’s PR character. MOFA will hold the FY2026 “Children’s Kasumigaseki Tour Day” from July 22 to July 30.

This program is a collaborative effort among various government ministries and agencies, held during the summer vacation, with the aims of supporting children in gaining broader understanding of society, deepening their understanding of government policies, and strengthening the bond between parents and children through participation in activities.

MOFA will hold a variety of programs on Wednesday, July 29 and Thursday, July 30 to help participants deepen their understanding of MOFA’s work and the countries of the world. Specifically, the programs include the “MOFA Visit Program,” featuring job introductions and quizzes by Ministry staff, a lecture by “Sakana-kun,” a lecture on the United Nations and Japan, and a mini lecture at the Diplomatic Archives.

Rabbit and “Passpo-kun,” the mascot character of the Japanese passport, will also participate in the MOFA Visit Program.

In addition, various programs will be held at MOFA-affiliated organizations such as the Japan Foundation and the JICA Global Plaza, as well as other organizations including the Institut français du Japon à Tokyo, the United Nations University, the Japan Committee for UNICEF, the Liszt Institute - Hungarian Cultural Center, and the ASEAN-Japan Centre. Please refer to the websites of MOFA and the relevant organizations for details.

This is a valuable opportunity for children, who will shape the future, to experience foreign cultures and learn about Japanese diplomacy while having fun. We hope many people will participate.

That concludes my announcements.

Mainichi Shimbun, TADOKORO: This is a follow-up question regarding the development of gas fields in the East China Sea, which was raised at the Chief Cabinet Secretary’s press conference this morning. Chief Cabinet Secretary KIHARA stated that Japan lodged a protest through diplomatic channels in response to the new drilling moves by China in the gas fields in the East China Sea. Could you tell us the date of the protest and at what level it was made, such as the customary channel from Director-General KANAI of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau to Chinese Deputy Chief of Mission Shi Yong?

Press Secretary KITAMURA: Before answering your question, although the Chief Cabinet Secretary has already addressed this matter, allow me to explain the facts surrounding this issue and the basic position of the Government of Japan. First, it has been confirmed that China has recently anchored and fixed a mobile drilling vessel in waters to the west of the geographical equidistance line in the East China Sea. In response, the Japan Coast Guard issued a navigational warning on June 22 to ensure the safety of vessels navigating in the vicinity.

Moreover, it is extremely regrettable that China continues its unilateral development in these waters, or attempts to render it a fait accompli, despite Japan’s repeatedly lodged protests, in a situation where the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf in the East China Sea have not yet been delimited.

Based on this position, on June 22, Director-General KANAI Masaaki of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of MOFA lodged a protest with Deputy Chief of Mission Shi Yong of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo. On that occasion, Japan once again strongly urged China to promptly resume negotiations for the conclusion of an international agreement based on the “2008 Agreement” in which Japan and China agreed to cooperate on the development of natural resources in the East China Sea, and to implement that agreement at an early date.