Press Conference by the Prime Minister regarding His Attendance at the 2024 Peace Memorial Ceremony in Hiroshima and Other Matters

(MC)
We will now start the press conference by Prime Minister Kishida. We accept representative questions from the Hiroshima City Press Club.

(Reporter)
Let me now ask representative questions from the Hiroshima City Press Club. The first question is about the abolishment of nuclear weapons. I understand that there have been high expectations of you as Prime Minister regarding the abolishment of nuclear weapons since your inauguration. However, there still remains a long way to go until realizing a “world without nuclear weapons,” which is your life’s work, and some say that the NPT (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons) regime based on nuclear deterrence is not working as intended. How do you plan to take the leadership in this issue as the prime minister of the only country that has suffered atomic bombings in wartime? In the meantime, do you intend to study the possibility of Japan attending as an observer the Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) scheduled for March next year, which is described as an exit to a world without nuclear weapons?

(PM Kishida)
As I mentioned a short while ago when I exchanged views with atomic bomb survivors, the ultimate goal of realizing a world without nuclear weapons is shared by those advocating the TPNW that you have just pointed out and the Japanese Government. Our approach is based on the idea that the reality would never change unless we involve nuclear weapon states in concrete activities and mobilize them toward the goal.

Responding to your remark that the NPT regime is not working, I would like to point out that the regime is a forum for concrete and realistic discussions with both nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states sitting at the same table. If it’s not working, we have to make it work. This is Japan’s basic stance in our efforts to involve nuclear weapon states in the discussions to change the reality.

Regarding how we plan to mobilize them to change the reality, let me repeat what I mentioned a short while ago. In the last NPT Review Conference that I attended, I proposed the “Hiroshima Action Plan” based on five pillars. In line with this proposal, as well as the G7 Leaders’ Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament we adopted in the G7 Hiroshima Summit last year, we will change the reality. I believe that this is what we are supposed to do.

One example is the summit-level meeting of the Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) that I proposed at the United Nations General Assembly in the year before last, which was eventually held under the initiative of Japan. In March this year, the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT) Friends was launched with nuclear weapon states like the U.S., U.K. and France, and Japan hopes to take the lead in realizing its high-level meeting this coming autumn. Regarding the goal of abolishing nuclear weapons, Japan’s basic approach is to seek to realize a world without nuclear weapons through concrete efforts such as a ban on nuclear tests or substances for nuclear weapons.

We hope that, as a result, our approach will bring nuclear weapon states as close as possible to a world without nuclear weapons that the TPNW also seeks to achieve. We hope to create such a momentum for achieving the ambitious goal. That’s all from me.

(MC)
Next question, please.

(Reporter)
Our next question is about your plans for the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing. As atomic bomb survivors become older, we face a significant challenge of how to hand down to younger generations their bitter experience. As we approach an era when there will be no such survivors, how do you intend to convey the realities of atomic bombing as a prime minister from the A-bombed city of Hiroshima. Tell us if you have any specific plans and ideas ahead of next year that marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing.

(PM Kishida)
I agree that it is becoming even more important to convey the realities of atomic bombing beyond national borders and different generations as the average age of nuclear bombing survivors is over 85 years ahead of next year that marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing.

To this end, there have already been increased efforts to extend assistance, such as those by the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to raise awareness using digital technology. The Government, for its part, also plans to provide steady support for such activities. With regard to how to convey the realities of atomic bombing, both the “Hiroshima Action Plan” and G7 Leaders’ Hiroshima Vision that I have mentioned include a call for primarily leaders and young people to visit A-bombed cities. Building upon those documents, the “Youth Leader Fund for a World Without Nuclear Weapons,” funded by Japan and launched by the United Nations last year, has started to play its role.

Starting August 26, participants from various countries are visiting Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It is also important to steadily promote a program that provides opportunities for such young leaders from around the world to see the realities of atomic bombing with the Government providing concrete support. Japan will continue to take the lead in promoting a more accurate understanding of the realities of atomic bombing beyond different generations and national borders. That’s all.

(MC)
As the time frame prepared for the Hiroshima City Press Club has expired, this concludes the session for their representative questions. We now accept representative questions from the Cabinet Press Club.

(Reporter)
I am Hirata, Jiji Press, currently the managing company in the Cabinet Press Club. Thank you for this occasion. Japan and the United States held a ministerial meeting regarding extended deterrence, including the provision of the nuclear umbrella, on the occasion of the meeting last month of Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (Japan-U.S. “2+2”), and agreed that they will strengthen their cooperation. How do you respond to those from A-bombed cities criticizing such agreement as running counter to your declared goal of realizing a world without nuclear weapons?

In addition, while more than a year have passed since the announcement of the G7 Leaders’ Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament, we have not yet seen any strengthened momentum for the vision. How do you plan to approach and urge the leaders of other countries on occasions like the United Nations General Assembly scheduled for late September in New York that you are supposed to attend?

(PM Kishida)
With regard to extended deterrence, as Japan is said to face the most complex and severe security environment in the post-war era, I believe that it is extremely important for Japan and the U.S. to share the realities of the environment and enhance the relations of trust through the Extended Deterrence Dialogue to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people. You said that such efforts contradict those for realizing a world without nuclear weapons, but I do not see it that way.

Sharing the severe realities with the U.S. and other nuclear weapon states and building relations of trust with them both serve as foundation for Japan and the U.S. to work together to realize a world without nuclear weapons, as the leaders of the two countries have confirmed that they will seek to achieve such a goal.

In fact, I myself published a book titled “Toward a World without Nuclear Weapons” before becoming prime minister. In the book, I proposed to draw a path for Japan and the U.S. to share an accurate understanding of the realities of nuclear weapons and build relations of trust to work together toward a world without nuclear weapons. In line with this, it is important to draw a path for the two countries to work together toward the future to realize a world without nuclear weapons.

Regarding what efforts need to be made toward autumn, I think that in a specific manner, it is important to revitalize the frameworks of CTBT and FMCT as I mentioned a short while ago. As for FMCT, which was proposed thirty years ago by then U.S. President Clinton, Japan proposed to revitalize its framework to launch in March this year FMCT Friends with the participation of nuclear weapon states including the U.S., U.K. and France, which we intend to transform into high-level consultations through efforts to be made toward autumn. That’s all.

(MC)
Next question, please.

(Reporter）
Our next question is about the LDP presidential election scheduled for September. Following the slush funds scandal involving intra-party factions, there are increasing calls for less costly politics. The LDP Youth Division has proposed setting an election campaign period that is not bound by precedent and holding debate sessions at local levels, as well as holding debate sessions in a two-way format. In reaction to such voices, what do you think would be the ideal form of the presidential election? Also, are you considering running to seek another term? By when do you intend to decide whether or not to run?

In the meantime, I would like to ask about the Nikkei Stock Average. Yesterday, it fell by 4,451 points, the largest daily drop in history. There are concerns about the rapid appreciation of the yen and the deterioration of the U.S. economy. What are the Government’s views and response?

(PM Kishida)
First, regarding the LDP presidential election, as you have pointed out, I understand that various people concerned, including those in the LDP Youth Division, have made proposals and recommendations on what the election should be like. However, as you know, the specific details of the LDP presidential election are to be set in a neutral and fair manner by the LDP presidential election management committee. I believe that this committee will decide on the appropriate date and election format, among other things, but in any case, the LDP, as the ruling party, must fulfill its responsibility through implementing various policies from this autumn onward.

On the other hand, it goes without saying that trust in politics is fundamental. We therefore must continue to deepen discussions to reform the LDP. In addition, this election is an extremely important one, where fundamental policies, including those regarding diplomacy, economy and social issues, must be seriously discussed. I believe that an open presidential election should naturally be desirable.

As for whether I myself will run or not, as I have mentioned so far, I am currently devoting myself to producing results on issues that cannot be postponed, including economy and diplomacy. I have nothing to tell you other than that for the moment.

You also asked about stock prices. Regarding trends in the domestic and international economy and financial markets, firstly, real wages for June, which were announced this morning, increased by 1.1 percent, the first increase in 27 months. In addition, as a result of the spring labor offensive, we have achieved the highest wage increase in 33 years. The minimum wage also saw its largest-ever increase. Furthermore, capital investment and corporate earnings have also increased to their highest levels ever. Given those figures, I believe that the Japanese economy is making a strong transition to a new stage.

Just like yesterday when you asked about the trends of stock markets, stock prices are fluctuating again today. I think it is important to keep a cool head to assess the situation. We will continue to closely monitor the situation with a sense of urgency and work closely with the Bank of Japan to manage economic and fiscal policies. That’s all.

(MC)
Time is up and this concludes the representative questions from the Cabinet Press Club. This also concludes the entire press conference by Prime Minister Kishida. Thank you.

(Prime Minister Kishida)
Thank you.