Japan-Germany Relations

On Tuesday April 14, commencing at 1:45 p.m. (local time) for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was visiting Lübeck (Germany) for the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting, held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany. The overview is as follows:

Foreign Minister Steinmeier welcomed Minister Kishida and his visit to the Buddenbrookhaus (Thomas Mann Museum), and expressed his appreciation for Minister Kishida's interest in Lübreck. In response, Minister Kishida stated that Japan would like to cooperate with Germany further on issues such as the situation in Ukraine as chairs of the G7 Summit meetings of this year and next year. The two ministers agreed to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Kishida expressed Japan's support for Germany's diplomatic efforts in the "Normandy format". Foreign Minister Steinmeier provided a detailed explanation on the "Normandy format" Foreign Ministers Meeting held the previous day, and expressed his high appreciation of Japan's support for Ukraine. The two Ministers shared the views on the importance of implementation of the Minsk Agreement, while also confirming the continued close coordination on policy for Ukraine between Japan and Germany.

Both ministers also exchanged views on the situation in Asia.