Japan and the United Nations

(1) Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the G4 Countries on UN Security Council Reform (September 22)

Together with the Foreign Ministers of Brazil, Germany, and India, Minister Motegi, who served as the chair of the meeting, shared their current understanding on the reform of the UN Security Council, exchanged views on their collective efforts to bring about concrete progress on the reform, and also reaffirmed their solidarity and resolve as the G4. The G4 Foreign Ministers agreed to support the President of the General Assembly so as to see progress in the Intergovernmental Negotiations. The four Ministers also expressed support to the Common African Position and agreed to cooperate to push forward the reform process such as the early commencement of text-based negotiations.

(2) G20 Foreign Ministers’ Extraordinary Meeting on Afghanistan (September 22)

Based on the recognition that it is crucial to ensure safe departures of those who wish to leave Afghanistan, respond to the serious humanitarian crisis, and prevent Afghanistan from turning into a “hotbed of terrorism,” participants confirmed the importance of sending a unified message so that the Taliban does not take steps in the wrong direction.

(3) Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (September 22)

Minister Motegi, together with Mr. Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America and Mr. Chung, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK), first discussed North Korea. Minister Motegi stated that North Korea’s recent nuclear and missile activities, including the latest ballistic missile launches, pose a threat to the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community. He also stated that Japan will further advance collaboration with the United States and the ROK towards the complete denuclearization of North Korea in terms of reinforcing diplomatic efforts, fully implementing UN Security Council resolutions and strengthening regional deterrence. The three Ministers shared such recognition. He also asked for continued understanding and cooperation from the two Ministers on the abductions issue, and obtained their support. The three Ministers also exchanged views on regional situations including Myanmar and China’s recent actions, and efforts to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Furthermore, they discussed global issues such as climate change, and concurred that Japan, the United States, and the ROK will further deepen their collaboration and cooperation.

(1) Japan-U.K. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (September 22)

Minister Motegi and Ms. Truss, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Minister for Women and Equalities of the United Kingdom, 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. They also exchanged views regarding regional affairs including the East and South China Seas, North Korea (including its recent nuclear and missile activities, such as the latest ballistic missile launches, as well as the abductions issue), and the situation in Afghanistan. In addition, they agreed to further promote coordination through the G7 and confirmed their continued cooperation on responding to climate change issues and measures against COVID-19.

(2) Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (September 22)

Minister Motegi and Mr. Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America, shared the view to continue to strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance and also confirmed that they would further deepen cooperation among allies and like-minded countries through various frameworks, including Japan-U.S, Japan-Australia-India-U.S. and cooperation with European countries towards the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, taking also into account the trilateral security partnership among Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. that was announced last week. Furthermore, they exchanged their views on Afghanistan and China. With regard to North Korea, they exchanged their views on North Korea’s recent nuclear and missile activities including the recent ballistic missile launches, and reaffirmed that Japan and the U.S. would work closely to respond to North Korea, including the immediate resolution of the abductions issue. In addition, the two Ministers discussed the international order in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), from a strategic perspective, and Minister Motegi encouraged the U.S. to return to the TPP.

(3) Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (September 23)

Minister Motegi and Mr. Chung, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK), concurred on continuing close collaboration between Japan and the ROK towards the complete denuclearization of North Korea, following the latest ballistic missile launches and other activities. The two Ministers also exchanged views on bilateral relations, and in such exchanges, Minister Motegi firmly conveyed Japan’s principled positions on the issue of former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula, the judgments in the lawsuits filed by former comfort women and others, as well as other issues between the two countries, and renewed his call for the ROK to take appropriate actions. The two Ministers shared the view on accelerating consultations and communication through the diplomatic channels in order to restore sound Japan-ROK relations and then to make it possible to cooperate in a wide range of areas.

(4) Japan-Qatar Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (September 23)

Minister Motegi and Mr. Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, confirmed the importance of ensuring inclusive political processes and protecting human rights, including those of women, in Afghanistan going forward. The two Ministers concurred on working together for the safe departure of persons concerned from Afghanistan.

(5) Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (September 23)

Minister Motegi and Mr. Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, discussed Japan-Russia bilateral relations, such as the issue of concluding a peace treaty, joint economic activities on the Four Northern Islands, the Four-Island Exchange Program and other programs, the economy, people-to-people exchanges, and security, as well as international situations. Minister Motegi stated that he intended to promote overall Japan-Russia relations in a broad range of fields, including the issue of concluding a peace treaty in a mutually beneficial manner, and shared the view with Minister Lavrov that Japan and Russia will continue discussions at various opportunities in order to develop the overall relationship between Japan and Russia. The two Ministers also exchanged views on North Korea in light of the recent ballistic missile launches and other activities. Minister Motegi asked for Minister Lavrov’s understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue and once again received support from Minister Lavrov.

(6) Foreign Minister Motegi meets with United Nations Secretary-General Guterres (September 23)

Minister Motegi and Mr. Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, exchanged views, on the ways to respond to emerging challenges in the international community, referring also to the Secretary-General’s report “Our Common Agenda.” Regarding North Korea, both sides exchanged views on the recent nuclear and missile activities including the recent launches of the ballistic missiles, and Minister Motegi conveyed appreciation that the recent launches of the ballistic missiles were discussed at the Security Council. Minister Motegi also asked for the Secretary-General's understanding and cooperation on the resolution of the abductions issue, and received support from the Secretary-General. Turning to Afghanistan, Minister Motegi stated that a unified message by the international community is important and that the UN has an important role in this regard. Both sides confirmed to closely collaborate to this end.

(7) Japan-France Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (September 23)

Minister Motegi conveyed to Mr. Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, that he greatly appreciates and welcomes the increased engagement in the Indo-Pacific region of France, Japan’s valuable partner as an Indo-Pacific nation, as well as the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy. The two Ministers concurred to continue to advance cooperation among Japan, France and the EU including in areas including security, with a view to realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

(8) Japan-Indonesia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (September 23)

Minister Motegi and Ms. Retno, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, exchanged views on the regional affairs including Myanmar, North Korea (including on the recent nuclear and missile activities such as the latest launches of the ballistic missiles as well as the abductions issue), and the East and South China Seas, and discussed measures against COVID-19 and infrastructure cooperation. In particular, with regard to the situation in Myanmar, the two Ministers exchanged views on the recent developments including the activities of ASEAN Special Envoy Erywan and concurred to continue working in close coordination. Furthermore, in light of the fact that Indonesia is to hold the G20 presidency in 2022 as well as the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023, the two Ministers confirmed that they will continue to jointly address regional and international issues.

(9）Japan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (September 23)

Minister Motegi expressed his appreciation to Mr. Qureshi, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, for Pakistan’s cooperation that enabled a Japanese national as well as Afghan staff of the Japanese Embassy and JICA office to safely depart from Afghanistan and requested continued support. Minister Qureshi responded that the Government of Pakistan would spare no effort. The two Ministers confirmed their shared goals including on inclusive political process and ensuring human rights to be respected in Afghanistan, and also concurred on working together with the international community to prevent the country from reverting to a hotbed of terrorism and from destabilizing the region.