Japan-Ireland Relations
Japan-Ireland Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
June 21, 2023
On June 21, commencing at 2:03 p.m. (local time; 10:03 p.m. on June 21 JST) for about 20 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who was visiting London to attend the Ukraine Recovery Conference, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Micheál Martin, T.D., Tánaiste, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence of Ireland. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Foreign Minister Hayashi stated that he would like to collaborate with Deputy Prime Minister Martin to make the bilateral relationship even closer, building on to the Japan- Ireland Leaders’ Statement. He also stated that, as the international security environment becomes increasingly severe, collaboration of the like-minded countries is increasingly important, and that he would like to reinforce collaboration toward maintaining and strengthening the free and open international order based on the rule of law. Deputy Prime Minister Martin stated that he would like to work together with Foreign Minister Hayashi to further reinforce Japan-Ireland relations. The two ministers concurred to work to further strengthen business relations and people-to-people exchanges as well as cultural exchanges between the two countries, leveraging opportunities such as Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
- With regard to the response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the two ministers concurred on the need to continue severe sanctions against Russia and strong support for Ukraine. They also exchanged views on the situation in East Asia, including China and North Korea, and concurred to continue to coordinate in addressing North Korea, including on the nuclear and missile issues and as well as the abductions issue, among others.