Press Conferences

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: Although I still have engagements tomorrow, I would like to share my reflections on the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, which is my first time since 2021.

I believe there are three major outcomes from this year’s UN General Assembly. First, I underscored Japan’s commitment to multilateralism. Second, I led discussions on actions to address pressing issues such as maritime security, critical minerals, and climate change. Third, I was able to work toward strengthening coordination with our allies and like-minded countries and strengthening cooperation with the Global South.

On the first outcome, this year marks the 70th anniversary of Japan’s admission to the UN. Through this visit, I emphasized that Japan’s commitment to the UN and to multilateralism remains unwavering. At the same time, I strongly stressed the urgent challenges to restore trust in the UN through reform and enhancement of its functions.

I had an in-depth discussion with the newly elected President of the UN General Assembly, Dr. Rahman, about UN reform and enhancement of its functions. In addition, I was able to confirm that the G4 will coordinate closely through the Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the G4 Countries on UN Security Council Reform.

On the second outcome, by chairing or co-chairing ministerial meetings on important themes for the international community, such as ensuring maritime safety, nuclear disarmament, and global health, I believe I was able to clearly articulate Japan’s positions and views on how the international community should address pressing challenges.

Tomorrow, I will attend the High-Level Ministerial Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution concerning the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine. I plan to present Japan’s initiatives including CEAPAD (Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development), a framework for Asian countries to support Palestine.

On the third outcome, I believe I was able to strengthen coordination with the foreign ministers of our allies, like-minded countries, and countries of the Global South. The Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on September 21 was the third one of this year. Once again, we confirmed that we would further advance cooperation in areas such as addressing North Korea, security, and economic security, and issued a joint statement.

At the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I had in-depth discussions on critical regional situations, including Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific, and we issued a joint statement on the situation surrounding the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait.

Additionally, with regard to bilateral relations, I met in person for the first time with the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Nepal, Fiji, and the Maldives, the last of whom I just met a short while ago. It was highly significant that I was able to build and strengthen relationships of trust with the foreign ministers of these countries.

I believe Japan will continue to firmly support multilateralism centered on the UN while fully playing a role for peace and stability in the region and the international community.

Reporter: Yesterday, a Japan-U.S. Summit meeting took place, which you also attended. How do you view the significance of holding the Japan-U.S. Summit meeting at this time, ahead of the scheduled meeting between President Trump of the U.S. and President Xi Jinping of China? Also, you have been reappointed as Foreign Minister in the recent Cabinet reshuffle. It has been reported that Prime Minister TAKAICHI’s instruction letter to you included references to dialogue with China. How do you intend, as Foreign Minister, to steer Japan’s diplomacy toward China, which some say has stagnated, while keeping the alliance with the U.S., as the cornerstone?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: This already marks the third Japan-U.S. Summit meeting in less than a year into the TAKAICHI administration. I have attended all three Summit meetings, and from the first time, Prime Minister TAKAICHI and President Trump were already talking in a relaxed and cordial atmosphere. This time, in particular, I strongly felt sitting beside them that the relationship of trust deepened even further.

At this timing, just prior to the U.S.-China Summit meeting, Prime Minister TAKAICHI and President Trump shared their views on the situation in the Indo-Pacific, including China, and demonstrated a robust Japan-U.S. Alliance at home and abroad. I believe this was extremely significant. As the security environment becomes increasingly severe, it will become even more important to encourage the U.S. to maintain its commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and its constructive engagement in the international community. On this basis, with regard to relations with China, it is true that Japan-China relations are currently in a difficult situation. Nevertheless, there is no question that Japan and China both bear significant responsibility for peace and stability in the region. It is precisely because there are concerns and issues between Japan and China that it is all the more important to communicate with each other at various levels. From Japan’s standpoint, based on the strong relationship of trust with the U.S., our ally, Japan will encourage China to fulfill the responsibilities commensurate with its international standing.

Reporter: Today, September 23, you attended the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting “Reinforcing Maritime Cooperation to Achieve a Secure and Stable Maritime Domain” and conveyed Japan’s position on the importance of ensuring free and safe navigation, including through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. I would like to ask what the objective of this meeting was, and what role the Government of Japan intends to play. Additionally, please tell us what the reactions of the participating countries were.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: It was the third time this year that the meeting you mentioned was held, but this was the first time it was held amid the tense situation surrounding Iran that has continued since February 28. In light of the current situation in the Middle East, Japan joined the meeting this year as one of the co-chairs in order to lead the discussions toward resolving the issues. At the same time, taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the UN General Assembly session that brings together relevant countries, we encouraged a wide range of countries to participate, including countries in the Middle East. At the meeting, many participating countries affirmed the importance of ensuring free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Regarding the future of the Strait of Hormuz, I believe that we have reached a common understanding that it is extremely important to discuss this matter among the entire international community, including the user states and the IMO (International Maritime Organization).

Building on these outcomes, Japan intends to continue leading the discussions in the international community and to continue pressing forward with wide-ranging diplomatic efforts to restore stability in both straits as soon as possible.

Reporter: During your visit, you held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Nepal, Fiji, and the Maldives. I assume the significance of your meetings with the foreign ministers of these countries lies in Japan’s efforts to realize a FOIP (Free and Open Indo-Pacific), among other things, but could you please elaborate on the significance of these meetings?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: It is as you suggested. South Asia and the Pacific Islands are geopolitically important regions, and we believe strengthening these regions’ autonomy and resilience by working together with these countries is vital for the realization of FOIP. To elaborate on each meeting, first, with Pakistan, which is undertaking mediation efforts surrounding the situation in Iran, we were able to confirm our commitment to cooperate toward stabilizing the entire Middle East in light of this situation. With Nepal, which, as you are aware, was hit by a large flash flood, we exchanged views on support that will bolster the country’s recovery efforts. I stated that Japan remains ready to fully support Nepal, ranging from immediate assistance such as grant aid and DNA testing equipment, which we have already started providing, to medium- and long-term recovery and reconstruction assistance. My counterpart expressed deep gratitude for this. With Fiji, we confirmed cooperation toward the hosting the 11th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM11) in Yokohama next summer. As the ministerial interim meeting for PALM11 will be held in Fiji this year, we agreed to work together in preparing for PALM11, including the ministerial interim meeting.

Lastly, regarding the Maldives, next year will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Since opportunities to visit the Maldives are rare, we took advantage of this opportunity to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. We exchanged views and reaffirmed our commitment to working closely together to strengthen each other’s resilience and autonomy.