〔Jun 2〕Regular Press Conference：Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, MOTEGI Toshimitsu

Added: 2026-06-03

[00:00:14]This is a regular press conference by Minister Miki. Over to you Minister Miki.

[00:00:20]>> I have one point to make uh uh from that is regarding the visit of the foreign minister of Egypt to Japan. From the 2nd to the 5th of June, foreign minister Dr. Abdelati of Egypt will be coming to Japan as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On this occasion, we are scheduled to hold the Japan Egypt foreign minister strategic dialogue.

[00:00:41]Egypt presently as you know is uh performing a role as one of the major intermediary nations between the United States and Iran. In April, I had a telephone conversation with Minister Abdelati centering on the situation in Iran. This time, in addition to broad bilateral cooperation, I wish to center on collaboration on the Iran and Gaza situation and other issues uh on the stability of the Middle East as a whole and conduct thorough discussions.

[00:01:17]That is all for me.

[00:01:19]>> Those with questions, please raise your hand and uh once you're called, please proceed to the microphone and state your name and affiliation before asking questions. Kildo on the sun on the Kyodo Iranian situation.

[00:01:35]Iran says it has sus suspended the ceasefire negotiations with the United States while President Trump says that the negotiation is still ongoing. What is your take? Furthermore, Islamic Republic's news agency has reported that President Peskian told Prime Minister Takichi on the phone that he would try to make it easier for Japanese ships to transit the street. What are the steps you have in mind perhaps to further strengthen communications between diplomatic authorities?

[00:01:58]As you know, uh there are different press reports, announcements almost every day, including uh the press reports and uh comments. Uh Japan continues to closely watch developments around US Iran consultations with grave grave interest.

[00:02:20]It's not just that we are watching with a grave interest. Japan strongly hopes that that there will be an agreement as soon as possible.

[00:02:30]That is a strong hope and uh we are making diplomatic efforts and on the May 22nd I myself talked to Iranian foreign minister Raguchi on the phone which was our sixth phone call since the start of the situations during which I called on Iran to continue to exercise maximum flexibility and strongly urged Iran to resume consultations with the US as soon as possible so that we and all secure safety of navigation [gasps] in the state of Halmoose.

[00:03:05]Uh furthermore during the quote on the sidelines of the quote we had Japan US foreign ministerial last week on the 26 and I conveyed to Secretary Lubio that it was critical to realize US Iran deal including stability of moose and reaffirmed a close cooperation between our two nations.

[00:03:26]In addition, during the Japan Iran leaders conversation yesterday, Prime Minister Takahuchi once again demanded that ships of all countries including those of Japan and Asia be allowed to transit the strait of Holmus freely and safely as soon as possible.

[00:03:47]positive announcements and comments uh uh they uh expressed which I believe is a positive. Japan will continue to make necessary diplomatic efforts with patients including continued communications with Iran so as to restore free and safe navigation in the straight of Hamus.

[00:04:15]Thank you.

[00:04:17]>> Next question please.

[00:04:20]Ah Harisan Pan Orient News please news. I will stay in the Middle East about Lebanon. Israel has occupied a significant territories south of Lebanon and that includes the heritage citadel of al- Shuk where Israel has raised its flags there as if it considers it as territory of Israel which is which means annexation and France has condemned Israel for that invasion. what is Japan's position on that invasion and also Japan has a important principle regarding opposing the invasion of other countries and change the status quo by force. Uh does that apply to Israel or only to Russia?

[00:05:04]Thank you. [clears throat] The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon is being maintained and between the two countries. Further dialogue is advancing. But in despite of this uh there are continuing exchange of attacks between Israel and Hezbollah. There have been casualties among civilians and medical staff and civilian infrastructure destruction continues to occur. And I am seriously uh concerned and uh I am very strongly concerned about expansion of ground forces uh uh of ground operations by Israeli into Lebanon. I'd like to once again call that Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial real integrity be respected.

[00:05:51]In any case, all parties to completely implement the ceasefire agreement is something that we'd like to continue to call for.

[00:05:59]And was it the relationships with Russia with regard to the regional situation uh the situation differs from case to case so a simple comparison is difficult.

[00:06:21]Thank you very much for having me.

[00:06:23]NATO's uh framework to support Ukraine.

[00:06:26]Japan has and I have this question about Pearl. Japan has contributed approximately 2.2 billion yen to the NATO's pearl prioritized Ukraine requirement list initiative to cover non-lethal equipment purchases. What is the objective of joining the framework?

[00:06:40]Highranking officials of both Meti and MUA visited Russia on the 26th and 27th of May where they requested for protection of Japanese companies and affirmed with their counterparts the importance of continued dialogue with keeping sanctions in place while keeping sanctions in place. Why is it that the announcement of Japan's contribution to Pearl uh was announced right after government officials visit to Russia?

[00:07:00]What is the prospect for resuming Japan Russia dialogue on the political level when Japan continues to support continue its support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia?

[00:07:09]Why we made a decision to make a contribution?

[00:07:13]To respond to that question, Japan has promoted support to Ukraine, including such support as a part of Japan NATO cooperation in order to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible. It is in this context that Japan contributed approximately 2.2 2 billion yen to a package that cover non-lethal equipment under NATO's appear prioritize Ukraine requirements list initiative. For the timing of our announcement, uh we announced the announcement had nothing to do with the visit by the government officials to Moscow. Uh we announced because our coordination with NATO on the contribution was completed.

[00:07:57]It's not that the government officials were involved in this. As for uh Japan Russia contacts on the political level, we have no concrete plan at whatsoever at the moment.

[00:08:11]It is true that bilateral relations face some difficulties but uh communication is all the more vital when bilateral relations face difficulties to appro to appropriately manage our relations with Russia, our neighbor. Japan remains open to communications with Russia including between uh diplomatic authorities.

[00:08:35]That is our attitude which remains intact.

[00:08:39]Are there any other questions?

[00:08:41]If not, I would like to conclude the press conference at this point. Thank you.