Press Conference by Prime Minister TAKAICHI Sanae regarding the Situation in Iran

(Reporter)
I am Oshiyama from TV Asahi. President Trump of the United States announced that U.S. forces have begun attacks on Iran. Could you share the Japanese government’s response?

(Prime Minister Takaichi)
Today, Israel and the United States announced that they carried out attacks against Iran. Given prior developments, we have continued to take precautionary measures, including facilitating the early evacuation of Japanese nationals, in preparation for any contingency. Upon receiving the initial reports today, I immediately instructed the relevant ministries and agencies to thoroughly gather information and to take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals who remain there.

In addition, at 4:00 p.m. today, we established an Information Liaison Office at the Prime Minister’s Office concerning the situation in Iran and are gathering information. Although I had been traveling on party business until shortly before, I received reports on an ongoing basis while en route, was kept informed of the situation, and issued additional instructions as necessary.

In response to the subsequent escalation of the situation, I also instructed that we ascertain information regarding the safety of Japanese nationals not only in Iran and Israel, but also in neighboring countries such as Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, and ensure the safety of those Japanese nationals.

At this point, we have not received any reports of harm to Japanese nationals. I also instructed that we ascertain the status of sea and air routes, provide information to the relevant operators, and identify potential economic impacts going forward.

Following this, we will analyze the information obtained thus far and convene a meeting of the National Security Council to hold discussions among the relevant ministers regarding our response going forward. That is all. Thank you.