Japan-Chile Relations

On November 15, commencing at 8:38 a.m. (local time; 7:38 a.m. the same day, Japan time) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is visiting Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, to attend the APEC Ministerial Meeting, held a Foreign Ministers' Meeting with H.E. Mr. Roberto Ampuero, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Chile. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. At the beginning, Minister Kono stated that a meaningful exchange of views was achieved at the Foreign Ministers' Meeting held when Minister Ampuero visited Japan in September this year, and that Minister Kono intended to actively contribute to the success of APEC next year which Chile will  host. In response, Minister Ampuero remarked that he was very pleased to be able to meet again and his visit to Japan in September was an extremely meaningful visit which reaffirmed that Japan is an important partner, and then stated that Chile, as a country that promotes free trade, considers the APEC Summit it will host next year to be extremely important and the summit is a top priority of the current administration, and therefore he hoped to make the APEC Summit a success, obtaining the cooperation of Japan. 
2. Furthermore, Minister Kono pointed out the importance of the TPP 11 Agreement while also stating that the TPP 11 Agreement is planned to enter into force on December 30, so he expressed his hope that Chile would also complete the domestic procedures and give notification as soon as possible. In response, Minister Ampuero explained that the TPP 11 Agreement had been submitted to the Chamber of Deputies while also stating that he hoped to continue to closely cooperate regarding the promotion of free trade.
3. Both ministers shared the view regarding relations between the two countries that initiatives were proceeding in a wide range of areas, not just the economy, and that they would strengthen relations further going forward. Moreover, they held exchanges of views regarding the importance of the establishment of the follow-up mechanisms for the Japan-Pacific Alliance Ministerial Meeting and regarding the regional affairs, including Venezuela, and shared the same view that they would cooperate closely in these areas.