Press Conference by Prime Minister TAKAICHI Sanae regarding Her Attendance at the G20 Johannesburg Summit and Other Matters

Reporter:  Prime Minister, thank you for your time. I am Hiramoto, with Nippon Television. I appreciate the opportunity. First, I would like to ask about the overall outcomes of the G20. The importance of the G20 has only continued to grow in recent years, yet this time we saw an unprecedented situation in which the leaders of the United States, Russia, and China did not attend. Although a Leaders’ Declaration was adopted, backlash from the United States may be anticipated. This was your first G20 meeting as Prime Minister; how do you assess the outcomes of the G20 as a whole, including the Leaders’ Declaration, and what do you see as the challenges going forward?

Second, regarding your bilateral meetings: we understand that you held a number of individual meetings today as well. Could you tell us about the results of each of these meetings and the nature of the discussions you had?

Finally, I would like to ask about China. Premier Li Qiang attended the G20 this time. Did you have any contact with Premier Li? If so, what kind of exchanges took place? If not, did you seek such contact yourself? In light of the current circumstances, do you anticipate that efforts to improve Japan–China relations may require a longer-term perspective, and are you prepared to address the situation with that in mind? I would appreciate your thoughts.

Prime Minister Takaichi:  Thank you very much. I would also like to extend my gratitude to all of you in the press for accompanying us on this demanding four-day, one-night schedule; I appreciate it.

Over the past two days, I attended the G20 Johannesburg Summit, the first G20 meeting to be held on the African continent. At this summit, in addition to discussions on the global economy, I highlighted concrete initiatives that Japan has been leading within the G20 framework—such as disaster risk reduction, debt sustainability, critical minerals, and AI. I emphasized that, rather than division and confrontation, it is essential to identify common ground and points of convergence, and to advance practical cooperation and collaboration toward resolving global challenges in a manner that all G20 members jointly shoulder responsibility. I was pleased that many members expressed their support for this approach.

At this summit, the leaders gathered in Johannesburg issued a Leaders’ Declaration that reflects the points of consensus achieved under South Africa’s presidency. Japan will continue to work closely with the United States, next year’s G20 chair, as well as with all G20 members, and will contribute proactively to addressing the many challenges facing the international community.

In addition, on the occasion of my participation in the G20 Summit, I held bilateral meetings with leaders of the United Kingdom, Germany, and India. We affirmed that we would continue to work closely together on security cooperation and economic security in pursuit of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. I also held a bilateral meeting with South Africa, the chair of this year’s summit, and we agreed to further advance our cooperation in light of the outcomes achieved at the G20.

Furthermore, I attended a Leaders’ Meeting on peace in Ukraine, where we also discussed the recent proposal presented by the United States. We confirmed that we will continue to work in close coordination with both Ukraine and the United States.

In addition, I had talks with the leaders of South Korea, Egypt, France, as well as with heads of several international organizations, including the Managing Director of the IMF and the President of the World Bank. With more than 60 countries and international organizations gathered, including many from the Global South, I was able to meet directly with numerous leaders; including brief exchanges, we had many opportunities for dialogue, making this a highly meaningful visit.

Notably, the Managing Director of the IMF offered congratulations on the completion of Japan’s comprehensive economic package. After reviewing the details, the Managing Director conveyed to me the view that fiscal risks are being appropriately addressed and expressed the IMF’s sense of reassurance towards our initiative.

We did not engage in prior coordination with China, and during this G20 Summit I did not have an opportunity to speak with Premier Li Qiang. In any event, my administration’s policy ever since taking office has been consistent: to comprehensively advance the “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests” and to build a “constructive and stable relationship” with China.

At the same time, precisely because there are outstanding issues and challenges between Japan and China, it is all the more important to reduce these points of concern and to increase mutual understanding and cooperation. Japan remains open to various forms of dialogue with China. We have never closed the door. Within that openness, it is of course essential that Japan clearly articulates the positions it needs to assert.

Under this approach, we will continue to respond appropriately going forward. That would be all from myself. Thank you.