Press Conferences

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: I would like to make one announcement.

Today, the Government of Japan decided to provide an emergency grant of USD 3 million in response to the devastating damage caused by the recent large-scale flash flood and landslide in Nepal.

With this emergency grant, the Government of Japan will provide humanitarian assistance in such sectors as food and health through international organizations.

I once again offer my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives and extend my heartfelt sympathy to their families and all those affected.

On the ground, emergency relief goods, such as tents and blankets, have already been delivered, and the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Expert Team has commenced its activities to provide support for victim identification. Japan will continue to spare no effort in providing all necessary assistance for the earliest possible recovery and reconstruction of the affected areas in Nepal, a long-standing friend.

On this point, I called the Foreign Minister of Nepal the other day and conveyed my commitment that Japan would do everything we can do to support Nepal, a long-standing friend.

This concludes my opening remarks.

Asahi Shimbun, MIYAWAKI: China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on September 7 that it will impose anti-dumping measures following a preliminary ruling that a specialty gas from Japan used in semiconductor manufacturing was being dumped in China. Following the Prime Minister’s responses in the Diet regarding a potential Taiwan contingency, China has continued to exert economic coercion on Japan, and the latest measures could further affect Japanese exports. What are your comments on this?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: My understanding is that, yesterday, following an anti-dumping customs investigation conducted by the Government of China, a preliminary ruling was made to impose provisional duties of up to 99.2% on the Japanese companies subject to the investigation. I believe the measures will be imposed as early as today.

We will coordinate closely with the Japanese companies subject to the investigation, fully assess the impact and situation surrounding the investigation, and respond appropriately to ensure that business activities are not unduly affected.

Chugoku Shimbun, SHIMOTAKA: I have a question concerning the International Meeting on Nuclear Victim Assistance and Environmental Remediation, which was held at the United Nations (UN) on September 1. The Government of Japan attended the meeting and stated that it will continue to cooperate with relevant states in providing assistance to victims. What significance do you attach to this meeting that was held for the first time? Furthermore, the same theme is expected to be a major agenda item at the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) Review Conference, which will be held in November and December. At the September 1 meeting, the Government referred to the significance of drawing on the knowledge accumulated as a country that has suffered atomic bombings. On these grounds, please tell us whether Japan intends to attend the TPNW Review Conference.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: The meeting you mentioned was convened in accordance with related UN General Assembly resolutions which Japan voted in favor of. From the Government of Japan, Ambassador UMETSU, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the UN, attended and delivered a statement.

Japan has long provided assistance to the victims of the atomic bombings. Drawing on the experience and knowledge accumulated as the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during war, Japan has also actively provided assistance to victims of nuclear testing, and undertaken efforts for environmental remediation and for promoting an accurate understanding of the realities of atomic bombings.

In this regard, the Government attaches importance to this meeting, and in the statement delivered at the meeting, we presented examples of Japan’s efforts and expressed Japan’s commitment to the realization of “a world without nuclear weapons.”

We consider that the TPNW as an important treaty that could be regarded as a final passage to a world without nuclear weapons. With this understanding, Japan needs to assess developments in the international community and the increasingly tense regional situation around Japan, and based on this assessment, carefully consider its policy on the TPNW, including the Review Conference in November, in terms of what would be truly effective for ensuring the security of Japan and achieving substantive advancement towards nuclear disarmament.

Independent Web Journal, HAMAMOTO: On September 2, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized Ukraine’s attacks on Russia, saying that Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure were causing an energy shock worldwide and driving up prices. The Government of Japan has so far contributed more than JPY 3 trillion of taxpayers’ money in total to Ukraine, a country that is further aggravating the global oil crisis. Yet, it is Japan itself, an importer of crude oil, that is suffering from the worsening oil crisis. Is Japan not shooting itself in the foot? Please share with us what you thought of Secretary Bessent’s statement.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: I understand that most of Secretary Bessent’s remarks focused on the current measures to support low- and middle-income households in the U.S., as well as the administration’s intention to continue these measures. As a background to that, he referred to situations around the world. I believe the content was quite different from the point of your question.

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundations of the international order, and unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force can never be tolerated. Japan’s position on this remains unchanged.

Japan has been imposing sanctions against Russia and supporting Ukraine with a view to achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible. Japan will continue to advance these efforts in coordination with the G7 and other related countries.

Pan Orient News, Azhari: Japanese lawmakers and several other nations have condemned the U.S. sanctions imposed on ICC President Mrs. AKANE. The U. S., however, appears to ignore this criticism, because its sanctions were imposed on Mrs. AKANE in retaliation for the ICC’s decision against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces accusations of genocide in Palestine. The American sanctions seem to be made to protect Netanyahu. Based on that and based on your declared support for the ICC and President AKANE, do you believe Japan should serve justice and retaliate by imposing reciprocal sanctions against Prime Minister Netanyahu?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: Japan has consistently supported the ICC, which is a permanent international criminal court, in its efforts to prosecute and punish the most serious crimes of concern to the international community and to uphold the rule of law. Japan considers the sanction measures incompatible with its position.

We recognize that the U.S. takes a very severe stance toward the ICC and has suggested the possibility of further measures. Despite this challenging situation, Japan will continue to reach out to the U.S. and remain committed to strengthening the rule of law in the international community, while maintaining communication with related countries.