Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The issue of Russia in connection with the situation in Ukraine

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding the issue of Russia. It is reported that as early as tomorrow, Japan will decide on additional sanctions against Russia in connection with the situation in Ukraine. Can you tell us if this is true?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: First of all, Japan has no plans to decide on sanction measures tomorrow. As we have stated previously, Japan will continue to deal with the situation appropriately in view of the situation in Ukraine, including the situation surrounding the ceasefire, and the responses taken by the United States and the European Union (EU), while giving importance to our partnership with the G7.

REPORTER: I have a related question. It has been pointed out that Japan’s current sanctions are slightly watered down compared to the sanctions of other G7 countries, including the EU and the United States – for example, the scope of the ban on the entry into Japan and the extent of the sanctions affecting the financial sector. I imagine that the situation in Ukraine will of course be a key theme at the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN). Are such matters currently being reviewed within the Japanese Government? As you just mentioned Japan’s partnership with the G7, I would like to ask what you thought about Japan’s partnership in regard to sanctions.

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: First, it is true that the situation in Ukraine was discussed during the four ministers’ meeting at the National Security Council on September 16. While I would like to refrain from going into the details, I understand that an overall discussion took place on the four ministers’ understanding of the current situation in Ukraine and the responses taken by relevant countries, including the G7 countries. In any case, and I will be reiterating here, Japan will deal with the situation appropriately, by carefully taking into account the situation in Ukraine and the responses taken by the United States and the EU.

REPORTER: I have a related, or rather, one more question. I believe the Minister for Foreign Affairs will also be at the UN General Assembly. There have been reports about a meeting possibly taking place with Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov of Russia. What is the status of the arrangements and so forth for scheduling this meeting?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: The possibility of holding a Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly is under consideration. However, as the arrangements are still being made for the overall itinerary of Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida, a potential meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov has not yet been finalized.

(Abridged)