Japan-United Kingdom Relations
Japan-UK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
April 17, 2023
On April 17, commencing at 2:30 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, on the occasion of G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Karuizawa, Nagano, held a meeting with Rt Hon James CLEVERLY MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi mentioned that he was pleased to welcome Secretary Cleverly in Karuizawa, and stated that as the international order is being challenged, coordination between like-minded countries has become even more important than ever in fully upholding the free and open international order based on the rule of law, and expressed his intention to further reinforce the close coordination between the two countries. Foreign Secretary Cleverly expressed his gratitude for the hospitality of Minister Hayashi as the host of G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and also expressed his solidarity over the explosion incident that occurred in Wakayama.
- Minister Hayashi welcomed the UK’s support for the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific and its policy to make its engagement to the region a permanent pillar of its international policy, as set out in “the Integrated Review Refresh” issued in March. The two ministers concurred to deepen cooperation in the field of security, and affirmed to continue their close coordination aimed at an early entry into force of the Japan-UK Reciprocal Access Agreement.
- The two ministers affirmed to continue advancing the UK’s accession process to the CPTPP. They engaged in a candid discussion from a strategic perspective, and concurred to continue to work closely together.
- The two ministers affirmed that the G7 would continue to make a united response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. In addition, the two ministers exchanged views concerning the situation in East Asia, and concurred to continue to coordinate closely in addressing issues related to China, and in responding to North Korea, including on nuclear and missile-related issues as well as the abductions issue.
- The two ministers confirmed to continue to work together closely towards the success of the G7 Hiroshima Summit.