Press Releases
Japan-UK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
September 27, 2022
On September 27, commencing at 10:05 a.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan held a meeting with the Rt Hon James CLEVERLY MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, who is visiting Japan to attend the state funeral for former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi expressed his heartfelt condolences for the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and expressed gratitude for Secretary Cleverly’s attendance to the state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe. He stated that he would like to discuss bilateral relations and international issues in order to further develop the diplomatic legacy inherited from former Prime Minister Abe. Secretary Cleverly expressed gratitude for the attendance by their Majesties the Emperor and the Empress to the state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and once again expressed his heartfelt condolences for the passing of former Prime Minister Abe. He stated that the late former Prime Minister was a good friend to the UK and that his death constituted an immense shock to the UK. He also expressed his intention to further develop Japan-UK relation with Minister Hayashi.
- Minister Hayashi stated that Japan’s relationship with the UK is closer than ever before, with the UK upholding its Indo-Pacific “tilt”, and that he intended to promote cooperation toward realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”. The two ministers reaffirmed the importance of an early signature of Japan-UK Reciprocal Access Agreement as well as reaching a mutual understanding on the overall picture of cooperation regarding the future combat air system. They also exchanged views on the procedures for the UK’s accession to CPTPP.
- In addressing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the two Ministers affirmed the importance of continuing sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine through close collaboration with the international community, and that they would work in concert to address unilateral attempts to change the status quo. In addition, the Ministers concurred on the need to address economic coercion, and affirmed that they would deepen discussion on challenges such as economic security and development finance.