Countries & Regions

At the beginning, the ministers shared the recognition that it is extremely significant for Japan, the United States and Australia to hold regular meetings, and to issue strong messages.

(1) Next, with regard to the Indo-Pacific, Minister Kono expressed the view that Japan, the United States and Australia fully share the grandvision for realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law, and the three ministers shared the view that the three countries will cooperate with each other while also coordinating with their regional partners. 

(2) In terms of specific trilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, the three ministers shared the view that the three countries will promote cooperation in the field of capacity-building in maritime security for the Southeast Asian and the Pacific Island countries. In addition, in the field of infrastructure investment, they emphasized the importance of promoting quality infrastructure development in accordance with international standards from the perspective of strengthening connectivity and shared the view that, the three countries will work closely.

(1) North Korea

The three ministers confirmed that now is a critical moment for the success or failure of the  process between the United States and North Korea and that they will work closely together to realize the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement (CVID) of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges by North Korea. They also confirmed that it will be important for the international community to fully implement the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, and that Japan, the United States and Australia will continue to coordinate closely, including measures to tackle  "ship-to-ship transfers." Minister Kono obtained understanding and support from both the United States and Australia regarding the resolution of the abductions issue, which is the most important issue for Japan.

(2) East China Sea and South China Sea

The three ministers shared concerns about the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea, and confirmed that the three countries will coordinate closely on the issue.