Japan-New Zealand Relations

On Thursday, November 15, commencing at 5:15 p.m. (local time) for approximately 35 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting Singapore to attend the ASEAN-related Summit meetings, held a meeting with Rt. Hon. Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. At the outset, Prime Minister Ardern stated that she was happy to meet Prime Minister Abe again after a year, that the past year saw extremely active reciprocal visits between the two countries at the ministerial and senior official levels, and that she would work towards further deepening the bilateral relationship. In response, Prime Minister Abe congratulated Prime Minister Ardern on the birth of her daughter, and stated that many Japanese people were elated by the All Blacks' visit to Japan, that the active reciprocal visits are a testament to the deepening bilateral relationship, and that he looks forward to further enhancing the relationship with Prime Minister Ardern.
2. The leaders shared the view that the entry into force of the TPP11 Agreement by the end of the year would represent a significant achievement for promoting free trade and the two countries would collaborate with the goal of enlarging  TPP11, and that the two countries would continue to work together towards the swift conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
3. Regarding the region of the Pacific island countries, the leaders shared the view that the two countries would strengthen their cooperation in the region to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific, in coordination with "Pacific Reset," New Zealand's policy for the Pacific.
4. Regarding North Korean issues, the leaders affirmed their cooperation towards the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement (CVID) of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges by North Korea. In addition, the leaders shared the view regarding the importance of the full implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. Prime Minister Abe thanked New Zealand for its deployment of patrol aircraft in response to North Korea's ship-to-ship transfers. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe requested New Zealand's understanding and cooperation for the early resolution of the abductions issue and received Prime Minister Ardern's support.               
5. The leaders exchanged views regarding regional affairs, including the East and South China Seas.
6. The leaders also stated their respective positions on whaling.