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Hong Kong National Security Law
Sankei Shimbun, Harakawa: I would like to ask about a criminal trial currently taking place in Hong Kong over work related to human rights issues in China and Hong Kong in 2020, in which Ms. KANNO Shiori, former member of the House of Representatives, has been named as the defendant’s co-conspirator. There have been discussions in the Diet that making the speech of a Japanese Diet member a subject of an overseas criminal trial constitutes an infringement of Japan’s sovereignty. Some are also calling on the Government to protest. At a meeting of the Budget Committee of the House of Councillors on March 6, you stated, “It is necessary to assess the individual specific circumstances, including whether it constitutes an infringement of sovereignty.” I would like to ask if the Government has since assessed whether it constitutes an infringement of sovereignty. Could you tell us the Government’s current understanding on this matter?
Minister Kamikawa: On the case you referred to, Japan is strongly concerned about the impact and the like that developments, including the imprisonment of Lai Chee-ying (Jimmy Lai), will have on the freedom of speech and the freedom of association and assembly in Hong Kong.
With regard to Ms. KANNO Shiori, former member of the House of Representatives, being named as the defendant’s co-conspirator, because the trial is ongoing, we are continuing to follow the proceedings at this time. We consider that it is necessary to assess the individual specific circumstances, including whether it constitutes an infringement of Japan’s sovereignty.
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The Case of a Missing Chinese Professor
Mainichi Shimbun, Moriguchi: It has come to light that a Chinese professor at Asia University has been unreachable since he temporarily returned to China last February. What do you know about this matter? In addition, there have been a series of similar cases in which the whereabouts of Chinese professors become unknown. Please share your thoughts on this.
Minister Kamikawa: We are aware of the reports you are referring to.
The professor has been a faculty member at a university in Japan for many years. As this case may concern the human rights of the professor, we are following it with close attention and interest, taking into account similar cases in the past. However, I would like to refrain from making further comments due to the nature of the matter.
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Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan
Speaker: Kamikawa Yōko, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Format: Press Conference
China Policy Research 