Press Conferences

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: I have just concluded all of my scheduled engagements for this visit to the Middle East. Please excuse me for the slight delay in starting this press conference, as my meeting with Minister Badr lasted until 3:00 p.m.

This visit to Saudi Arabia and Oman had three main objectives with respect to the situation in Iran. The first one was to work more closely with Saudi Arabia and Oman toward peace and stability across the region through this visit, which was the first since the situation surrounding Iran arose in February of this year. The second objective was to foster the conditions for resuming negotiations between the U.S. and Iran at an early date and reach a final agreement. The third was to reaffirm continued cooperation to ensure free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

In addition, with regard to the bilateral relations and relations with Middle East countries, this visit had two objectives: to further advance cooperation with the countries in a wide range of areas, including energy; and to demonstrate Japan’s intention to make its utmost contribution to strengthening the economic and energy resilience of the Gulf countries.

From these perspectives, in Saudi Arabia, I held the Third Foreign Ministerial Level Strategic Dialogue with Foreign Minister Faisal and paid a courtesy call on Chairman Al-Alimi of the Presidential Leadership Council, the de facto head of the Yemeni Government based in Saudi Arabia. In Oman, I just held a meeting with Foreign Minister Badr.

While challenging issues still remain in the situation surrounding Iran, I believe this visit was extremely timely and very fruitful considering its objectives.

Regarding the current situation surrounding Iran, in each of my meetings, I conveyed Japan’s consistent position that it is important to reach a final agreement, including on Iran’s nuclear issue, at an early date through further talks between the U.S. and Iran. I also stated that Japan intends to continue its diplomatic efforts to create the conditions for reaching a final agreement.

On the Strait of Hormuz, I stressed the importance of ensuring free and safe navigation without any additional costs, and, to this end, emphasized that we need to engage in thorough discussion with the international community, including the littoral states and the states using the strait.

Regarding the Red Sea, including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, I expressed Japan’s strong concern over the Houthis’ continued attacks against Saudi Arabia and the Government of Yemen, and conveyed that Japan condemned such attacks. I stated that Japan intends to work closely with the respective countries to ensure the security of the areas around the Red Sea.

Especially regarding the Strait of Hormuz, I held candid discussions with Saudi Arabia and Oman, and we were able to confirm that we will maintain close communication going forward.

With Yemen, given that stability in Yemen is directly linked to the stability of the entire Middle East, we concurred on strengthening cooperation aimed at the stability of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. In this regard, I believe this visit proved to be an extremely valuable opportunity.

Furthermore, despite the unstable situation in the Middle East, we held wide-ranging discussions aimed at further advancing Japan’s bilateral relations with the respective countries. During this visit, cooperation was confirmed in a broad array of areas ranging from the economy, particularly the stable supply of energy resources, such as oil and LNG, to security, cutting-edge technologies, education, and human resource exchanges. Going forward, we will work to steadily give concrete shape to each of these commitments.

In light of the recent situation surrounding Iran, I conveyed to Saudi Arabia and Oman that Japan is formulating a comprehensive cooperation plan aimed at strengthening the economic and energy resilience of the Gulf countries, including both countries. I stated that Japan intends to play an active role in ongoing projects in Saudi Arabia and Oman, including desalination, railway infrastructure, and environmentally friendly steel production. Both countries highly appreciated Japan’s initiatives.

I also explained about the issues facing the Indo-Pacific region, including policies toward North Korea, such as on the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue, and we were able to confirm our commitment to working together in addressing these issues.

I have held numerous telephone talks with both Foreign Minister Faisal of Saudi Arabia and Foreign Minister Badr of Oman. With the situation surrounding Iran, including the Strait of Hormuz, reaching a critical phase, the in-person meetings during the visit allowed us to exchange candid views that will lead to further cooperation. Although this was my first meeting with Chairman Al-Alimi of Yemen, we were able to have substantive discussions, including on the situation concerning the Houthis.

Building on longstanding relationships of friendship and trust with the countries of the Middle East, Japan will continue multilayered dialogue with these countries and play an active role toward the realization of peace and stability across the Middle East. That concludes my opening remarks.

Reporter: I would like to ask about the situation in Iran, which was an important item on the agenda of this visit. A final agreement regarding the cessation of hostilities has yet to be reached, even after the original 60-day deadline set out in the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has passed. How do you assess this situation? Additionally, I would like to ask how the Government of Japan intends to contribute to stabilizing the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: It has been 60 days since the signing of the MoU between the U.S. and Iran, but unfortunately, despite the efforts of the countries involved, a final agreement has not yet been reached. Japan is concerned about this situation, and will continue to engage in multilayered dialogue with the countries concerned, including through this visit, and make every possible diplomatic effort toward the resumption of talks between the U.S. and Iran and the early realization of a final agreement, including on the nuclear issue.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Japan intends to work even more closely with the international community to ensure free and safe navigation without any additional costs. With regard to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Japan will maintain close communication with the parties directly involved, such as Saudi Arabia and Yemen, as well as with the states using the strait, and strengthen efforts to restore stability as early as possible.

Reporter: I would like to ask about the recovery and reconstruction of the Gulf region. Reports indicate that, during this visit, you discussed strengthening economic resilience, including supporting the reconstruction of the Gulf region affected by Iran’s attacks. What type of support did the two countries express interest in or expectations for, and what type of support does the Government of Japan believe it should prioritize? Please share with us if you have an outlook on the timing or scale of a formal decision on such support.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: First, with regard to recovery and reconstruction in the Gulf states, concrete efforts are already underway, including support by Japanese engineers. In addition to this, I explained during the visit that it is extremely important to strengthen the economic and energy resilience of the Gulf countries in the medium to long term, and that Japan is currently considering a comprehensive cooperation plan. Saudi Arabia and Oman highly appreciated Japan’s approach and policy, and it was decided that we would discuss specific areas of cooperation. I understand that various projects in fields such as energy, desalination, and infrastructure are now underway in the Gulf countries. Taking that into account, we intend to finalize the scale and other details of Japan’s plan and make a formal announcement at an appropriate time.

Next, as for Japan’s role in peace in the Middle East, Japan has built strong relationships of trust with countries across the region over many years. Japan is in a position to engage in dialogue with any country or region under any circumstances, and I believe this is one of strengths of Japan. To explain further, it was also with this strength in mind that I visited Israel, Palestine, and Qatar in January of this year, where I explained the role Japan can play in the Middle East peace process. With regard to the situation surrounding Iran, in addition to this visit, I have held nearly 80 meetings with various countries, including telephone calls, and Japan has been working toward an early de-escalation of the situation and a diplomatic resolution.

Japan is currently strengthening its capacity for mediation diplomacy. In the Middle East, we intend to make persistent efforts to play a uniquely Japanese role, building on the relationships of trust we have established with the countries in the region.

Reporter: I would like to ask about Japan-Russia relations. There have been various developments between Japan and Russia related to President Putin’s visit to Etorofu Island. Could you share your view on this incident, and how does Japan intend to respond to Russia going forward, including the possibility of countermeasures? I would also like to know what specific measures are being considered.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: The Northern Territories are islands over which Japan has sovereignty and are an inherent territory of Japan. President Putin’s visit is incompatible with Japan’s consistent position regarding the Northern Territories and is extremely regrettable. In response to this visit, the Government of Japan has lodged a strong protest against Russian, with Prime Minister TAKAICHI issuing a statement, and myself summoning the Ambassador of Russia to Japan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Japan will continue to further reach out to Russia at every opportunity, based on our consistent position regarding the Northern Territories. Japan has also consistently imposed sanctions against Russia. In light of this, with regard to how Japan should respond to Russa going forward, we intend to respond in a timely and appropriate manner, taking into comprehensive consideration what is necessary for Japan’s national interests. Needless to say, Japan’s policy of resolving the issue of the attribution of the four islands and conclude a peace treaty remains unchanged, and we will continue to make every effort to this end. In particular, we intend to persistently urge the Russian side to resume visits to graves in the Northern Territories as early as possible.

Reporter: I have a follow-up question. A short while ago, the Russian military announced that it had conducted a missile-firing exercise simulating an attack on warships navigating in waters off the Northern Territories. Could you share your view on this?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: We are aware of the Russia’s announcement, and are currently gathering necessary information. In any case, Russia’s military buildup in the Four Northern Islands, including missile exercises, is contrary to Japan’s position concerning the Four Northern Islands and is unacceptable.

Reporter: I would like to ask about the Trump administration’s actions regarding the ICC. The Trump administration announced that it has designated ICC President AKANE and one other official for sanctions. The Government of Japan has consistently supported the ICC as a permanent international criminal court. How do you view these measures? Does the Government of Japan intend to urge the U.S. to withdraw them?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: With regard to President AKANE of the ICC, it is as already stated in yesterday’s statement has already been issued yesterday. Japan has made various outreach efforts to the U.S. and has consistently attached importance to the rule of law in the international community. We will continue to maintain communication with the U.S. and relevant countries, and take appropriate action.