Japan-France Relations
Japan-France Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
September 19, 2023
On September 19th, commencing at 10:00 a.m. (local time; September 19th, 11:00 p.m. JST) for approximately 35 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting New York, the United States, to attend the General Assembly of the United Nations, held a meeting with H.E. Ms. Catherine COLONNA, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Foreign Minister Colonna congratulated Foreign Minister Kamikawa on her appointment. Minister Kamikawa expressed her gratitude and stated her desire to work closely with Minister Colonna to further strengthen relations with France, an IndoPacific nation with territory in the Pacific and an exceptional partner for Japan. The two ministers also agreed to work together in the area of gender equality.
- The ministers concurred to make progress on bilateral cooperation, particularly in the security field, including joint exercises, cyber, space, and information warfare, including disinformation, as well as to continue preparations for the convening of a working group on economic security in the diplomatic sphere. Minister Kamikawa again expressed her appreciation for the support and cooperation of France in the recent evacuation of Japanese nationals and others from Sudan and Niger. The two ministers agreed to work together on the evacuation of their own citizens.
- Minister Kamikawa explained the release of ALPS treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the sea, and Foreign Minister Colonna welcomed and praised Japan’s efforts to promote transparency and dialogue regarding this scheme.
- The two ministers exchanged views on the response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and regional affairs in East Asia, Indo-Pacific among others, and concurred on continuing to coordinate in dealing with North Korea, including nuclear and missiles issues as well as the abductions issue, among others.
- The two ministers reflected on the G7 foreign ministers' meeting, which Minister Kamikawa chaired last night, and discussed how women's perspectives can also be used in foreign policy, while enjoying together some tea from Shizuoka served by Minister Kamikawa. After the meeting, Minister Kamikawa presented the tea from Shizuoka to Foreign Minister Colonna upon her request.