Press Conferences

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: The two-day G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held over yesterday and today has just concluded. As we have already issued press releases on the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the individual meetings, I believe the trip has yielded a variety of outcomes and was quite a tight and packed schedule. I would like to highlight three outcomes.

First, the first point is that we were able to confirm the need for the G20 to work closely together. The G20 brings together major developed nations and many countries of the Global South. I believe each of these countries needs to play an important role. I emphasized the importance of strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law and a free, fair, and rules-based international economic order. In response to the current energy crisis, including destabilization in the Strait of Hormuz, the G20, which accounts for 80% of global GDP and energy consumption, confirmed the need to work closely together to address this crisis. This was a significant achievement.

Second, I explained and emphasized that Japan is working with like-minded countries to advance concrete initiatives for ensuring autonomy and resilience of the countries under the updated “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).” One of the pillars of these initiatives is strengthening economic and energy resilience. I conveyed that Japan, as a nexus connecting the oil-producing countries in the Middle East with consuming countries in Asia, is determined to contribute to ensuring a stable global energy supply. I also clearly pointed out the challenges posed by arbitrary export restrictions and overcapacity resulting from non-market policies and practices, which are making the supply chains of critical goods vulnerable. On this point, I believe many countries shared the opinion that overcapacity is a major issue that must be addressed.

Third, to further strengthen coordination with our ally and like-minded countries and strengthen relations with the Global South, I proactively held meetings with foreign ministers of various countries. Specifically, as we have announced, I held a Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, a Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and bilateral meetings individually with Türkiye, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Australia, and was able to confirm that we would cooperate for the stability of the region and the international community.

In addition, yesterday, a foreign ministers’ meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov was held for the first time in five years. I conveyed Japan’s position firmly on various issues, including the detention of a Japanese national.

I strongly feel that Japan should continue to work closely with various countries, including G20 members, and play an active role in promoting stability in international affairs and the global economy.

Reporter: At the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting attended by countries with differing positions, you communicated the importance of freedom of navigation and Japan’s initiatives to ensure a stable energy supply. I imagine there were mixed reactions from member countries. I would like to ask how Japan intends to cooperate with member countries on these challenges going forward.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: There is now a global energy crisis unfolding. I believe there is a basic shared view that it is essential to restore free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and other waterways. Going forward, Japan intends to continue working with other G20 members toward the early de-escalation and stabilization of the situation across the entire Middle East region.

Of course, when it comes to specific issues, there are various challenges, such as the situation in the Red Sea. There are also issues that concern countries outside the G20. Even then, I believe many countries basically share the recognition that ensuring free, stable, and safe navigation as before is extremely important for both the global economy and the economy of each country.

Against this backdrop, as I mentioned earlier, Japan is committed to ensuring a stable global energy supply as a nexus connecting the oil-producing countries in the Middle East with consuming countries in Asia. Japan has already launched “POWERR Asia,” and going forward, through comprehensive cooperation with the Gulf countries and other initiatives, we intend to strengthen energy stockpiling systems in Asia and develop energy-related infrastructure in Middle Eastern countries. While I imagine that various countries are making a range of efforts to realize a stable energy supply and freedom of navigation, on this occasion of the G20 meeting, I once again explained in detail “POWERR Asia” and Japan’s other initiatives. I believe the participants got the impression that Japan is leading the way in this area.

Reporter: I would like to ask about the Quad and Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ meetings. With President Trump expressing interest in holding a U.S.-China-Russia Summit meeting, how do you assess the significance of convening the Quad and Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ meetings at this time? In particular, with regard to the Quad, this was the third Foreign Ministers’ meeting this year. In the lead-up to the Quad Leaders’ Summit that Secretary of State Rubio indicated would take place in November, I would like to ask how you intend to translate the latest discussions into outcomes.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: The Quad [Foreign Ministers’ meeting] was held for the first time on the margins of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly session in September 2019, during my first tenure as Foreign Minister. Therefore, the meeting has a special place in my heart. As this was the third meeting held this year, all of us confirmed that we would steadily advance concrete cooperation toward the realization of FOIP. I believe we were able to demonstrate the strategic importance of Quad cooperation and its strong momentum.

Furthermore, at the meeting, we shared expectations for the convening of the next Quad Leaders’ Summit. With that Summit in mind, I intend to maintain close communication among the foreign ministers as we move forward with preparations.

As for the Japan-U.S.-ROK, this was the fourth Foreign Ministers’ meeting this year. We reaffirmed that the solidarity among our three nations is pivotal to regional peace and stability. We also confirmed that we would continue not only discussing concrete cooperation among the three countries, including the Memorandum of Cooperation regarding the Trilateral Arctic Pacific Partnership signed at the meeting, but also delivering tangible outcomes and identifying and implementing specific cooperation projects. We were able to reaffirm our commitment to building on these efforts. The three countries intend to hold action-oriented discussions and pursue concrete actions.

Reporter: During the Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ meeting, I understand you strongly demanded Minister Lavrov the immediate release of the detained Japanese national. Did he provide any explanation about the reason for the detention?

Please also share Russia’s reaction to your demand for the release. Furthermore, in light of the Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ meeting, the first in five years, I would like to ask for your thoughts on the future prospects for Japan-Russia relations.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: Of course I strongly demanded the immediate release of the detained Japanese national. This Japanese national must be protected as soon as possible. Under these circumstances, the meeting took place at a delicate time. I would like to refrain from disclosing the details of our exchanges, as this is a matter that concerns the protection of the individual. Minister Lavrov was my counterpart during my previous tenure as Foreign Minister, and this was our sixth meeting. During that tenure, we first met on the margins of the UN General Assembly session, followed by the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Nagoya. In December 2019, I visited Moscow, where we held eight hours of discussions. Given that we have a record of engaging in candid exchanges, I believe we were able to have a candid exchange of views this time as well, although I must refrain from going into the details of the meeting. It is true that Japan-Russia relations are currently in a very difficult state. However, as we are neighboring countries, there are various issues to address, and I believe it is extremely important that, to resolve these challenges, we maintain close communication and persistently press Russia on Japan’s demands.