Japan-United Kingdom Relations
Japan-UK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
September 18, 2023
On September 18th, commencing approximately at 03:30 p.m. (local time; 04:30 a.m. on September 19th JST) for about 30 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who was visiting New York to attend the UN General Assembly, held a meeting with the 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 is as follows.
- At the outset, Foreign Secretary Cleverly congratulated Minister Kamikawa on her appointment as Foreign Minister and stated he would like to closely work with Minister Kamikawa like he used to do with former Minister Hayashi. Expressing her appreciation, Minister Kamikawa stated that the importance of the UK to Japan is unchanging, and that Japan attaches importance to the collaboration with the UK, which is its “global strategic partner”. Minister Kamikawa also stated that she was looking forward to working together with Foreign Secretary Cleverly to elaborate Japan-UK relations to a new height.
- The two ministers concurred on enhancing Japan-UK relations on the basis of the “Japan-UK Hiroshima Accord”. Minister Kamikawa welcomed the progress of concrete initiatives contributing to the maintenance and strengthening of a free and open international order based on the rule of law, such as the CPTPP and the RAA. Then Foreign Minister Cleverly stated that the UK wishes to cooperate closely in interrelated areas such as defense, economy and security with Japan which shares values, and agreed to work together including in these areas.
- Minister Kamikawa once again explained the release of the ALPS treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, and Foreign Secretary Cleverly expressed the UK’s full support for Japan's efforts and welcomed continued cooperation between Japan and the IAEA.
- The two ministers exchanged views including on the response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and the situations in East Asia. They concurred that they will continue close coordination in addressing North Korea, including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue.