• Register Email Updates

• Advanced Search
• Help

Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers' Meeting
Summary

August 1, 2002, Bandar Seri Begawan

On 1 August from 9:00 a.m. local time (10:00 a.m. Japan time), the Japan - U.S. Foreign Ministers' Meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and Secretary of State of the United States of America Colin L. Powell was held on the occasion of the ASEAN Regional Forum Post-Ministerial Conference (ARF-PMC) held in the State of Brunei Darussalam. The summary of the meeting is as follows:

1. Asian Affairs:

(1) Regarding the Japan - North Korea Foreign Ministers' Meeting which took place on 31 July, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that she had a very meaningful dialogue with the North Korean Foreign Minister in a good atmosphere, with discussions covering a wide range of issues, and that she understood the reaction of the North Korean side to be forward-looking. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi further stated that Japan and North Korea reached an agreement that a Director-General level Consultation and Japan-DPRK Red Cross Talks would be held in August, adding that she encouraged holding a dialogue with the United States. Secretary of State Powell responded that he also held an interesting dialogue with the North Korean Foreign Minister Paek yesterday albeit a brief one of 15 minutes. The Secretary also stated that he would like to further study how to proceed in the future in Washington, and that he would like to continue the close cooperation with Japan in dealing with this issue.

(2) Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that it was crucial to make the travel towards democratization in Myanmar an irreversible one and, to this effect, intended to make an appeal to high-ranking officials of the government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on her visit to Myanmar scheduled from the day after tomorrow.

(3) Secretary of State Powell stated that the situation in India and Pakistan has significantly improved and is not at a critical state near an outbreak of war. The Secretary also said that further reduction of the tension between the two countries was necessary and that the United States would continue to encourage dialogue between them. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi responded by saying that she had met with Minister of External Affairs of India Yashwant Sinha yesterday and encouraged further efforts to alleviate the tension.

2. Japan - U.S. Relations

(1) Foreign Minister Kawaguchi said that she was considering a visit to the United States on the occasion of the General Assembly of the United Nations in September and that she would like to coordinate a visit to Washington D.C. on that occasion.

(2) Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that it was gratifying to hold a Vice Minister Level Strategic Dialogue at the end of August in Japan with the presence of Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage.

3. Situation in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Middle East Peace

(1) Iraq
To Foreign Minister Kawaguchi's remark on the dialogue between the United Nations and Iraq which ended without any achieves, Secretary Powell responded that although President George W. Bush's view of the Hussein Regime is dear, the President is carefully following the state of affairs and has not made any decisions yet. The Secretary also said that he would continue to consult closely with Allies including Japan on this matter.

(2) Afghanistan
Secretary of State Powell expressed his great appreciation for the refueling activities by the Japan Self-Defense-Force vessels in the Indian Ocean.

(3) Middle East Peace
Secretary Powell expressed his appreciation for the participation of Japan to the Task Force on Palestinian reform. The Secretary stated that the terrorist attack in Israel which also claimed U.S. lives, was extremely distressing and that the cycle of violence was still continuing. Both sides agreed to keep in close touch with each other on this issue.

4. Johannesburg Summit (WSSD)

Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that she intended to attend the WSSD and would continue the close cooperation with the U.S. side for its success. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi added that this Summit should aim for concrete actions rather than creating new objectives. To this, Secretary Powell agreed, and stated that he too intended to attend the Summit if the situation permits.

5. "The Koizumi Reforms"

Foreign Minister Kawaguchi explained that the Cabinet Ministers concerned were to compile proposals for the structural reform by the end of August in order to further promote Koizumi Reforms, and expressed her strong support for the Koizumi Reforms.