Prime Minister Kishida tried to shift the responsibility for Russia's invasion of Ukraine to Japan-Russia relations after the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced at the House of Councilors Budget Committee that it would suspend negotiations on a peace treaty including the Northern Territories issue with Japan. He slammed Russia's response, saying it was extremely unjustified and absolutely unacceptable.
On the 22nd of the House of Councilors Budget Committee, Prime Minister Kishida and all ministers attended and asked questions to conclude the budget proposal for the new fiscal year and the 4th fiscal year of Reiwa.
In this, Prime Minister Kishida said, "This situation was all caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine." The response to pass it on to Japan-Russia relations is extremely unreasonable and absolutely unacceptable. On the contrary, Japan strongly protests. "
In the Japanese government, Foreign Minister Yamada of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs protested against Russia's Ambassador to Japan, Galuzin.
He added, "The basic position of Japan to resolve the Northern Territories issue and conclude a peace treaty has not changed."
Also, regarding the G7 = summit meeting of the seven major countries to be held in Brussels, the capital of Belgium on the 24th, "We are currently coordinating with the intention of participating face-to-face. It is important to show that you have a strong attitude toward the world. "
He added, "As Japan is the only country participating in the G7 from Asia, I would like to share the situation judgment with the G7 countries by firmly inputting the situation in Asia based on the previous visits to India and Cambodia."
He expressed his desire to hold individual meetings with US President Joe Biden and others locally.
Regarding humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, Prime Minister Kishida said, "We would like to add more humanitarian assistance in light of the growing needs for humanitarian assistance and the difficult situation in neighboring countries."
In addition, regarding President Zelensky's speech at the Diet, which is being coordinated to be held on the 23rd, "I imagine that there are probably various expectations and requests in the speech, but if you support it, how concrete can you respond? I want to think about it firmly. "
On the other hand, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hagita called for cooperation in maximizing power saving over the tight supply and demand of electricity within the jurisdiction of Tokyo Electric Power Company.
On that basis, regarding the outlook for the restoration of thermal power plants that continue to be out of operation, "I heard that some power plants will take weeks to months due to equipment damage. I want to. "
Regarding the outlook for supply and demand for this summer, he said, "I would like to take systematic measures, including so-called flexibility."
In this regard, Prime Minister Kishida said, "From the perspective of energy security, Japan must firmly work on power supply."
The House of Councilors Budget Committee will soon vote on and approve the budget for the new fiscal year, and then the House of Councilors plenary session will also vote and pass it.