Japan-Belgium Relations
Japan-Belgium Foreign Ministers' Meeting
April 7, 2022


On April 7, commencing at 12:45 p.m. (local time; 7:45 p.m. JST) for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, visiting Belgium to attend the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting and G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held a meeting with H.E. Ms. Sophie WILMES, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade and the Federal Cultural Institutions of the Kingdom of Belgium. An overview of the meeting is as follows.
- Minister Hayashi stated that he has a personal attachment to Belgium as the President of the Japan – Belgium Parliamentary Friendship Association, and that he would like to work closely with Belgium, a strategic partner with whom Japan shares fundamental values regarding the situation in Ukraine and on the implementation of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific." The two ministers confirmed that they would strengthen the bilateral relations as well as their ties in the international arena.
- The two ministers shared the view that Russia's aggression against Ukraine is a serious situation which undermines the very foundations of the entire international order, not just for Europe but for Asia as well. The two ministers affirmed the importance of a united and resolute response by the international community. They also affirmed that Japan, the U.S., and European countries will continue to work closely together to implement sanctions in a flexible manner.
- The two ministers also confirmed that they would continue to work together in dealing with North Korea, including on the launch of an ICBM-class ballistic missile on the 24th of last month.
- Minister Hayashi requested Belgium’s cooperation in the early lifting of import measures of EU import restrictions on Japanese food products by the EU.