Press Conference by Prime Minister Kishida on Attending ASEAN-related Summit Meetings and the G20 New Delhi Summit and Other Matters
[Provisional translation]
(On whether the Prime Minister intends to approach China on the issue with China over the discharge of the treated water, President Xi Jinping’s absence from the G20 Summit, and the meeting with Premier Li Qiang)
I will visit Indonesia and India to attend the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-related Summit Meetings and the G20 New Delhi Summit. First, at the ASEAN-related Summit Meetings, we will deepen discussions on regional affairs and international issues. In particular, as this year marks the major milestone of the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation and as we plan to hold the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo in December, I hope to take the opportunity of the ASEAN-related Summit Meetings to have discussions that will lead to the Summit Meeting in December. At the G20 Summit, I hope to work closely with India, G20 Chair, to ensure that the outcome of the G7 Summit will lead to the G20 Summit. At the same time, I would also like to ensure that the G20 Summit will serve as an opportunity to deepen discussions on international challenges, such as food security, development, insurance and digital technology.
Regarding your question about the participants from China, I would like to refrain from making any comments on the participants from other countries and how they respond. For the moment, no face-to-face meeting with China has been set. In any case, through various multilateral and summit meetings, I will make my utmost effort in providing explanations to obtain understanding and cooperation regarding the discharge of ALPS (Advanced Liquid Processing System) treated water, which Japan is carrying out with transparency in cooperation with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency).