Japan-Mongolia Relations
Japan-Mongolia Summit Meeting
November 29, 2022
Japan-Mongolia Summit Meeting
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
Japan-Mongolia Summit Meeting
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
Joint Press Conference
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
On November 29, commencing at 7:30 p.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Summit Meeting with H.E. Mr. Ukhnaa KHURELSUKH, President of Mongolia, who is on an official visit to Japan . The summary of the meeting is as follows.
1. Introduction
- (1) At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida stated that he was delighted to welcome President Khurelsukh in the year marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Mongolia, and that during the past half century, the bilateral relations have developed dramatically, with the two countries now being partners that share universal values. Prime Minister Kishida also mentioned the need for both countries to work together to address challenges in the international community under the new strategic environment.
- (2) President Khurelsukh reiterated his gratitude for the warm welcome extended by the Japanese side during his official visit to Japan, and also expressed his strong expectation that Japan-Mongolia relations will be expanded and deepened between him and Prime Minister Kishida into the future.
- (3) The two leaders agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship from a “strategic partnership” to a “special strategic partnership for peace and prosperity” in order to strengthen cooperation and collaboration in solving global challenges under the vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
2. Bilateral relations
- (1) The two leaders agreed to launch a study on the promotion of cooperation in defense equipment and technology as part of efforts to strengthen relations on the security front. On the economic front, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan will continue to cooperate in improving the energy situation in Mongolia, including the provision of electricity storage systems, and also requested that Mongolia develop an investment environment to strengthen the private sector-based economic relations. With regard to people-to-people exchanges, while appreciating the various events marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two leaders agreed to continue to further promote such exchanges.
- (2) President Khurelsukh reiterated his gratitude for Japan's past support to Mongolia, and expressed his expectations for strengthening relations with Japan as Mongolia’s “third neighbor country” in various forms, including through politics, security, economic relations and people-to-people exchanges. With regard to environmental issues, in response to the explanation regarding the “One Billion Tree Planting Campaign ” in Mongolia, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan will provide support to the idea, for which President Khurelsukh expressed his gratitude.
3. Global challenges
Signing Ceremony
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
Signing Ceremony
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
- (1) Prime Minister Kishida stressed the importance of fully defending the free and open international order based on the rule of law and the need to strengthen the functions of the United Nations, including by reforming the Security Council, and expressed his hopes for collaboration and cooperation with Mongolia. In response, President Khurelsukh expressed his support. The two leaders also confirmed once again that any unilateral change to the status quo by force must never be tolerated anywhere in the world.
- (2) The two leaders also discussed regional affairs, including the situation in Ukraine. They agreed that any threat of nuclear weapons must never be tolerated, let alone their use.
- (3) The two leaders shared strong concerns over North Korea’s provocations, including its repeated ballistic missile launches which are unprecedented both in their frequency and their manner, and President Khurelsukh reiterated his strong support for the importance of the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.
- (4) President Khurelsukh expressed his strong support for the “Hiroshima Action Plan,” which Prime Minister Kishida announced at the NPT Review Conference in August of this year.
After the meeting, the two leaders signed the “Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Special Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity between Japan and Mongolia ,” while Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and H.E. Mr. Bold JAVKHLAN, Minister of Finance of Mongolia, exchanged notes on Grant Aid “The Project for the Improvement of Power Supply in Mongolia.”