Japan-France Relations
Japan-France Summit Telephone Talk
October 5, 2020
On October 5, commencing at around 4:30 p.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Mr. SUGA Yoshihide, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit telephone talk with H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic. The overview of the talk is as follows.
- At the outset, Prime Minister Suga expressed his condolences regarding the damage caused by the heavy rainfall in France and stated that as newly appointed Prime Minister, he hoped to build a good relationship with President Macron and further strengthen Japan-France relations as exceptional partners. In response, President Macron offered his congratulations on Prime Minister Suga’s appointment to office. He also expressed his hope to work with Prime Minister Suga on further developing the relationship between Japan and France, which had grown stronger than ever between former Prime Minister Abe and President Macron.
- The two leaders confirmed that Japan and France share the fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law and their intention to strengthen the cooperation for realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific, together as “Indo-Pacific nations.” The two leaders also shared the view to cooperate in responding to the matter of North Korea, including the abductions issue. Furthermore, the two leaders recognized the necessity for Japan and France, both of which are G7 members, to work together in playing a leading role in facing various challenges, including measures against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
- The two leaders also shared the view to cooperate for next year’s Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.