Countries & Regions
Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
On February 12, commencing at 2:30 p.m. (local time, 9:30 a.m. on February 13 Japan time) for approximately two hours, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, visiting the United States (Honolulu), held a Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with the Honorable Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States, and His Excellency Mr. Chung Eui-yong, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
After the meeting, Joint Statement on the Japan-U.S.-ROK Trilateral Ministerial Meeting (English (PDF)
/ Japanese (PDF)) was released.
1. North Korea
- (1) The three Ministers shared serious concerns over North Korea’s recent repeated launches of ballistic missiles including the latest launch of IRBM-class ballistic missile on January 30. Furthermore, based on a shared understanding that North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities pose a threat to the peace and stability of the region and the international community, they aligned their recognition on future measures.
- (2) In particular, the three Ministers agreed to further strengthen regional deterrence and concurred on the necessity of advancing security cooperation among Japan, the United States and the ROK. They also agreed that it is important to fully implement United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, and that they would coordinate even more closely at the UN.
- (3) At the same time, the three Ministers shared a recognition that diplomatic efforts are important, and they affirmed that Japan, the U.S. and the ROK would coordinate even more closely in this regard.
- (4) Foreign Minister Hayashi also asked for continued understanding and cooperation from the two Ministers on the abductions issue, and obtained their support.
2. Regional situations and global cooperation
The three Ministers also exchanged views on regional situations which included the discussions on China and situation around Ukraine, and efforts to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. In addition, they discussed global issues such as global health including responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is a pressing challenge the international community faces today, as well as climate change. They concurred that Japan, the U.S. and the ROK would further deepen their collaboration and cooperation.
3. Japan-U.S.-ROK future cooperation
Foreign Minister Hayashi stated that the collaboration among Japan, the U.S., and the ROK is essential for regional peace and stability beyond issues related to North Korea and that he would like to continue to develop the collaboration among the three countries. And Foreign Minister Hayashi and Foreign Minister Chung welcomed the United States’ newly released Indo-Pacific Strategy. Furthermore, the three Ministers concurred to further enhance the collaboration among Japan, the U.S. and the ROK at multiple levels.