Japan-New Zealand Relations

On October 15, commencing at 10:30 a.m. (6:30 a.m. Japan time) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, during his visit to Wellington, New Zealand. The overview of the meeting is as follows. 

1. At the outset, Minister Kono expressed the view that Japan and New Zealand are "Strategic Cooperative Partners" that share fundamental values and cooperate in a wide range of fields including politics, diplomacy and the economy, and stated that he intends to further strengthen this relationship together with Minister Peters. In response, Minister Peters welcomed Minister Kono's visit and stated that he intends to strengthen New Zealand's relationship with Japan.
2. The two ministers confirmed that amid the variety of issues facing the Indo-Pacific region, they will further deepen this "Strategic Cooperative Partnership" in a broad range of fields, including people-to-people exchanges.   
3. Additionally, with regard to the Pacific Islands Countries and their region, which possess strategic importance for both Japan and New Zealand, the two ministers shared the view that they will deepen cooperation between the two countries in various fields, including maritime security and enhancing connectivity.
4. Furthermore, the two ministers exchanged views on the situation of North Korea, and confirmed they will work together towards realizing the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges. In addition, they shared the view that the full implementation of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions is important, and confirmed that Japan and New Zealand will continue to cooperate in order to ensure the effectiveness of those resolutions, including by addressing ship-to-ship transfers. Minister Kono also conveyed his thanks to Minister Peters for New Zealand's deployment of patrol aircraft to address ship-to-ship transfers. Furthermore, Minister Kono sought understanding and cooperation for the early resolution of the abductions issue, and obtained Minister Peters' support. 
5. The two ministers also exchanged views on regional affairs, including the East China Sea and South China Sea issues.