Japan-United Kingdom Relations
Japan-UK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
September 22, 2021
On September 22, commencing at 4:20 p.m. (5:20 a.m. on September 23, Japan time) for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting New York in the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly, held a meeting with the Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Minister for Women and Equalities of the United Kingdom. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, the two ministers welcomed early realization of a face-to-face meeting following their telephone talk on September 17, and affirmed that they will work closely together towards further strengthening Japan-UK relations.
- The two ministers confirmed that Japan and the UK will further promote security and defense cooperation and exchanged views on the negotiations of the UK’s accession to the TPP11 Agreement.
- The two ministers also exchanged views on the situations in the East and South China seas and in North Korea. Minister Motegi stated that Japan lodged a strong protest against North Korea over the recent launches of ballistic missiles which are in violation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and that North Korea’s recent nuclear and missile activities pose a threat to the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community. Minister Motegi requested Minister Truss’s understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue and received support from Minister Truss.
- Furthermore, the two ministers exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan and shared the view to work together in their engagement with the Taliban while monitoring its actions.
- The two ministers agreed to further promote coordination through the G7 and confirmed their continued cooperation on responding to climate change issues and measures against COVID-19.