Countries & Regions
Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
April 3, 2025
On April 3, commencing at 10:45 a.m. (local time, on April 3, 5:45 p.m. Japan time), for approximately 50 minutes, H.E. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, visiting Belgium (Brussels), held a Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with the Honorable Marco Rubio, Secretary of State of the United States of America, and H.E. Cho Tae-yul, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
After the meeting, the Japan-U.S.-ROK Joint Statement was released.
- The three Ministers reaffirmed that strengthening the solidarity of the three countries and advancing concrete cooperation, while upholding shared principles including the rule of law, would enhance their deterrence and response capabilities toward the peace and prosperity of the region and beyond.
- The three Ministers discussed recent developments on and expressed their serious concerns over North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities, the advancement of the Russia-North Korea military cooperation, and North Korea’s malicious cyber activities, including cryptocurrency thefts, that fund its nuclear and missile programs, and reaffirmed that they would work closely together on these issues. They also reaffirmed their commitment toward the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions. Furthermore, Foreign Minister Iwaya expressed his appreciation for the consistent support from the governments of the U.S. and the ROK regarding the abductions issue, as confirmed by each Minister.
- In addition, the three Ministers exchanged their views on regional situations, including unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force. They also concurred to advance the discussion toward tangible trilateral cooperation on economic security.
