Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Foreign Minister MOTEGI’s Attendance at the APEC Ministerial Meeting 2025 Session I
October 30, 2025
On October 30 (local time), from 9:45 a.m. for approximately two hours, the first session of the APEC Ministerial Meeting (Theme: “Innovate and Prosper”) was held in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea (ROK), under the chairmanship of H.E. Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs of ROK, with Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, participating together with Mr. AKAZAWA Ryosei, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows:
- In this session, Minister MOTEGI made the following remarks:
- The world of AI and digital technologies is inherently open, which continuously give rise to concerns regarding security, and therefore, addressing these risks is a top priority. Ensuring a “safe, secure, and trustworthy AI society” is indispensable for sustainable socio-economic development.
- Japan has led development of international AI governance through dissemination and expansion of the “Hiroshima AI Process.” Specifically, it has formulated an international standard regarding generative AI and is leading its dissemination and implementation in the “Friends Group” of over 50 countries and regions, including APEC economies.
- In APEC, and in collaboration with the business and academic communities, Japan is taking the initiative on discussing management of data flows in digital trade and barriers to AI utilization. Japan will continue to contribute to capacity building and rulemaking within the APEC region.
- Many of participating ministers expressed their appreciation for ROK on hosting APEC and voiced support for cooperation in addressing new challenges such as AI, digital technologies, and democratic changes. It was confirmed that efforts would be further advanced to promote cooperation for accelerating economic growth and sustainable prosperity.