Japan-Sweden Relations
Informal Talks between Foreign Minister Hayashi and Swedish Foreign Minister Billström
April 5, 2023
On April 5th, commencing at 2:30 p.m. (local time; April 5th, 9:30 p.m. JST), for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who was visiting Brussels, the Kingdom of Belgium, to attend the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs, held informal talks with H.E. Mr. Tobias BILLSTRÖM, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Sweden. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi stated that Japan strongly supported the expansion of European involvement, including NATO’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. In response, Minister Billström expressed his desire to further strengthen collaboration with Japan in various aspects including economic relations and stated that also as the EU Presidency, Sweeden would like to strengthen cooperation with Japan, the G7 Presidency. The two Ministers concurred that they would work to further enhance the bilateral cooperation.
- The two Ministers also exchanged views on regional developments, including the situations in East Asia.