Japan's Security / Peace & Stability of the International Community
The Fourth Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
February 11, 2022
On February 11, commencing at 4:00 p.m. (AEDT, at 2:00 p.m. JST), for approximately 4 hours, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, during his visit to Melbourne, attended the Fourth Japan- Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the following dinner, with Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia, H.E. Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, and The Honorable Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America. After the meeting, the Ministers issued a Joint Statement (English (PDF)
/ Japanese (PDF)). The overview of the meeting and the dinner is as follows.
- The four Ministers welcomed the realization of the in-person Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and concurred to closely coordinate with each other to ensure the success of the next Quad Summit Meeting to be held in Japan in the first half of this year.
- The four Ministers reaffirmed the recognition that the existing international order has been under challenge in various fields, including unilateral attempts to change the status quo and economic coercion, and that the responsibility of the four countries, which share fundamental values and are committed to promoting a free and open international order based on the rule of law, is increasing even more.
- The four Ministers welcomed the fact that the vision of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" promoted by the four countries is resonating in various regions around the world, and that proactive efforts are underway in those regions, including the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and Indo-Pacific strategies of the EU and European countries. They shared the view in further deepening engagement and cooperation with each country and region for the realization of this vision.
- The four Ministers reaffirmed their unwavering support for ASEAN’s centrality and the ASEAN-led architecture, and concurred to continue to support ASEAN countries in implementing the AOIP, which is the foundation of stability and prosperity of the region. The Ministers also expressed their expectation for the important role of Cambodia, which holds the ASEAN Chairmanship this year.
- Looking ahead to the next Quad Summit Meeting scheduled for the first half of this year, the four Ministers concurred to steadily follow up on the outcomes of the March and September Summit Meetings last year, including the response to the COVID-19, and to further promote practical cooperation in many different fields, including maritime security, cyber security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief. In this connection, the Ministers welcomed the efforts of Japan, the United States, Australia, and India in providing assistance in the aftermath of the volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga, and concurred to further collaborate in humanitarian assistance/disaster relief in the Indo-Pacific region.
- In the context of the East and South China Seas, Minister Hayashi expressed serious concern for unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force and coercion, and the four Ministers concurred on the importance of adherence to international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to counter challenges to the maritime order based on rules. Minister Hayashi also stated the basic views of Japan on Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Taiwan.
- The four Ministers condemned the ballistic missile launches by North Korea, which violate U.N. Security Council Resolutions and destabilize the region, and reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolutions. Minister Hayashi asked for each country’s understanding and cooperation toward an immediate resolution of the abductions issue, and gained their support.
- On the situation in Myanmar, the four ministers expressed their grave concern over the current situation, and called for an end to violence and the release of those who have been detained, and affirmed the need to swiftly restore Myanmar’s democratic system. The Ministers also called for ensuring unhindered humanitarian access and concurred on the importance of early implementation of the ASEAN’s "Five Consensus". They also concurred to continue to support ASEAN's efforts.
- The four Ministers exchanged views on the current situation concerning Ukraine, where tensions are rising.
- The four Ministers concurred to continue holding the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting every year, and to maintain and strengthen the momentum of the cooperation among the four countries. They also concurred to continue making positive contribution to the region through a wide range of cooperation.
- Prior to the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Minister Hayashi, External Affairs Minister of India Jaishankar, and U.S. Secretary of State Blinken paid a courtesy call on Australian Prime Minister Morrison. At the courtesy call, Prime Minister Morrison welcomed the foreign ministers' visit to Australia. Minister Hayashi said that holding the Fourth Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting this time is very timely and helps further promote cooperation among the four countries toward the realization of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific”. He also conveyed that the Prime Minister Kishida is looking forward to the next Quad Summit Meeting to be held in Japan in the first half of the 2022. Prime Minister Morrison and the Ministers then exchanged views on Quad cooperation and the regional issues.