Japan-Ecuador Relations
Japan-Ecuador Foreign Ministers' Working Lunch
January 6, 2023
On January 6, commencing at 1:30 p.m. (local time; 3:30 a.m. on January 7 JST) for approximately 75 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is visiting Quito, the Republic of Ecuador, held a working lunch with H.E. Mr. Juan Carlos Holguin, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of the Republic of Ecuador. Following the lunch, they held a joint press announcement. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi stated that Ecuador is an important partner with which Japan shares fundamental values, and expressed his hope for further development in bilateral relations, while confirming the solid progress ever made. In response, Minister Holguín expressed his welcome for Minister Hayashi’s visit to Ecuador and stated that he hoped that the visit would be an opportunity to advance Japan-Ecuador relations further in various fields, including the economic field.
- Minister Hayashi stated that, as both countries will serve as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for the next two years, Japan would like to work closely together with Ecuador, including on Security Council reform given the importance of strengthening the functions of the UN, which should play a central role in the rule of law under the severe international circumstances. In response, Minister Holguín stated that Ecuador attaches great importance to international cooperation and would like to cooperate closely with Japan in the international arena including the UN Security Council.
- Minister Hayashi welcomed and highly appreciated the Lasso administration's strong promotion of a foreign policy focused on international cooperation and a liberal and open economic policy. Minister Hayashi also stated that Japanese companies are showing interest in many sectors, and he expressed his hope that investments will further expand. In response, Minister Holguin expressed his desire to further strengthen economic relations with Japan through an open and free economic policy, and to stimulate dialogue between the two countries and continue to promote cooperation in a wide range of fields.
- Minister Hayashi stated that Japan would like to continue to cooperate with Ecuador for its sustainable development. Foreign Minister Holguín expressed gratitude for Japan’s support for sustainable and inclusive growth of Ecuador.
- Minister Hayashi explained Japan's “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” initiative, and Minister Holguin expressed support for these efforts of Japan. The two Ministers exchanged views on the situations in Ukraine, East Asia including China and North Korea, and Latin America, and shared the view that the two countries would cooperate towards the realization of a free and open international order based on the rule of law.