«We are worried about China rearming itself. I fight to give women the role they deserve” – ​​-

It is the face of a Japan that is changing, albeit at its own age-old pace. Yoko Kamikawa, 71 years old, has been Foreign Minister in Fumio Kishida’s government since last September. But it is whispered about her, under the cherry blossoms of the Tokyo parks, that she could become the first female prime minister of the Rising Sun. From today he is in Capri to participate in the G7 Foreign Ministers. We interviewed her.

Mrs. Kamikawa, how do you judge the state of relations between Italy and Japan? What remained of Prime Minister Meloni’s visit to Tokyo last February?
«In view of the important anniversary of the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Italy, which will fall in 2026, relations between the two countries have recorded a notable leap forward: as strategic partners we are in fact carrying out concrete projects of collaboration in various sectors. We can also expect a further intensification of the flows of people between the two countries, thanks to the major events scheduled in Japan and Italy, such as Expo Osaka 2025 and the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. On the occasion of your visit to Japan, the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has expressed her firm desire to continue the results obtained in the year of Japan’s presidency of the G7, and I, personally, was strongly encouraged. Prime Minister Kishida in turn conveyed Japan’s intention to offer all its collaboration for the success of the G7 summit in Puglia, confirming the common desire to continue to cooperate closely. As regards bilateral relations, they also agreed to work in close synergy in various fields, starting with collaborations in the security sector, which includes the joint development of new generation fighters and the port of call in Japan of Italian military ships, including a battle aircraft carrier group, and in the economic sector, with the recent entry into force of the Social Security Agreement. Also on the occasion of the upcoming foreign ministerial meeting, in addition to carrying forward a firm debate aiming for the success of the G7, it is my intention to personally work to cooperate with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, in order to further promote bilateral relations between the two countries.”

Japan remains (like Europe) dependent on the United States in terms of being able to respond to a serious threat from outside. Is it conceivable to transform one’s military force from a purely defense instrument to an instrument capable of “helping” the allies?
«States characterized by an imposing military force are concentrated around Japan; then consider the development of nuclear warheads and missiles by North Korea and the sudden strengthening of Chinese military strength, lacking in transparency: our country finds itself facing, from a security point of view, the most difficult and complex context from the post-war period to today. I therefore believe that for Japan, on the basis of the “National Security Strategy” adopted in December 2022, it is necessary to proceed, in addition to implementing an active foreign policy, by carrying out a radical strengthening of defense capacity and collaborating with allied countries, United first and foremost, or “like minded”. From this perspective, therefore, it is necessary that between Japan and the United States there is not a country that “depends” on the other but that, on the contrary, the two countries work “together” to consolidate the force of containment and action of one’s alliance. To this end, in addition to radically strengthening Japan’s defense capacity and significantly increasing military spending, which constitutes the premise, we are working to deepen the respective roles and tasks of the two countries, strengthening our joint capabilities.”

China is, today, the country that, together with Russia, seems to have chosen a path of confrontation with the democratic West – of which Japan is undoubtedly part. What can Japan do to help prevent the diplomatic crisis, in cases such as the Taiwan emergency, from turning into open conflict?
« Finding itself experiencing, in fact, the most difficult and complex security context since the post-war period to date, our country, on the basis of the “National Security Strategy”, carries out an incisive foreign policy, capable of preventing crises, and actively contribute to creating an international context of peace and stability. China, while continuing to raise its defense budget to increasingly higher thresholds, without due transparency, in addition to extensively and rapidly strengthening its military force, including the war potential of nuclear warheads and missiles, is intensifying and expanding military activities both in the Sea of ​​Japan and in the Pacific, including collaboration with Russia. On every occasion in which it was possible, first of all the summit meeting last November, we have continued to openly express to China our concern for its military activities. I myself, during the bilateral meeting with my Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, conveyed our concerns to him personally. At the same time, to pursue the peace and stability of the international community, including the Indo-Pacific region, I believe it is important, in synergy with the various countries involved, and through various forms of dialogue and exchange in the security sector, exercise our influence on China to demonstrate greater transparency regarding defense policies and military strength, and respect international standards of conduct.”

In Italy, characterized, like Japan, by a society with a high aging rate, many believe it is appropriate to welcome foreigners and are open to immigration. Japan, on the contrary, appears unwilling to encourage the arrival of foreigners. What is your opinion on the matter? And what is Japan’s position?
«Currently the Japanese government is open to welcoming foreign resources according to two principles. Firstly, foreigners coming from specialized or technical sectors are actively welcomed, with a view to contributing to the revitalization of our economy and society. However, as regards the other sectors, it is the government as a whole that evaluates – subject to the consent of the citizens – from a broad perspective that takes into account, for example, the social context of the Japanese, from the occupation to the consequences on industrial structure, education, social security, or even factors such as public order. On the other hand, we are aware that the demographic decline and the decrease in the working age population will continue to have serious and enormous consequences on the lives of citizens: further measures to combat the decrease in the workforce therefore become an urgent issue. In line with this orientation, we are therefore aware of the importance of welcoming resources from abroad”.

What diplomatic initiatives have you undertaken as Foreign Minister to promote gender equality? Do you think a Japanese woman can become prime minister? And do you intend to become one, the first in Japanese history?
«Since I took on the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs I have constantly and energetically promoted the advancement of gender equality, especially as regards the “Women, Peace and Security” (DPS) agenda. In a context of progressive lack of transparency within the international community, the mentality underlying the DPS agenda becomes increasingly important. In addition to the commitment to protect and safeguard women and girls, based on the principle of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of “leaving no one behind”, a front-line and personal participation of women in conflict prevention, reconstruction and brings sustainable peace ever closer to peacebuilding. In this perspective, last January I first created a DPS task force within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aiming for transversal synergy between the various directorates and offices. Secondly, I have missed no opportunity, in bilateral and multilateral meetings, to comment on the importance of the DPS agenda. In February, during the Japan-Ukraine conference promoting Ukraine’s economic reconstruction, I organized a “DPS session,” strongly emphasizing support for a recovery and reconstruction that reflects its views. Thirdly, in the current year, 24 years after the adoption of the first UN resolution on the DPS agenda, to raise it to a new dimension through innovation, during official visits abroad or similar occasions, I have so far organized five editions of the forum on “DPS+I (Innovation)” policies, managing to concentrate the knowledge and skills of numerous professionals. By advancing the DPS agenda based on the knowledge and suggestions acquired through the initiatives implemented so far, our country intends to continue to contribute to the further promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment, as well as the building of a peaceful international community . At the same time, to advance women’s participation and increase the percentage of female candidates, we intend to proceed firmly, soliciting, for example, specific initiatives from the various parties, giving “visibility” to the numbers of parliamentarians and councilors both in the national government and in local authorities, publicizing good practices to increase the percentage of women in politics. Since I was first elected in 2000, I have dedicated myself to my political responsibilities, based on my beliefs. Today, as a member of the government, in order to hand over to the next generation a Japan full of prosperous and bright prospects, a Japan respected and considered indispensable by the rest of the world, I do my best, with determination and passion, to fulfill the role which was granted to me.”