Japan-Peru Relations
Japan-Peru Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
November 8, 2017
On November 8, commencing at 3:48 p.m. (local time) for approximately 35 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is visiting Da Nang, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, to attend the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Ministerial Meeting, held a foreign ministers’ meeting with H.E. Mr. Ricardo Luna, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Peru. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1 Beginning
Minister Kono explained that Peru is a strategic partner that shares fundamental values with Japan, and stated that Japan hopes to cooperate in various fields with Peru, which is an important partner in regional frameworks that span the Pacific Ocean. In response, Minister Luna explained that he is happy to be able to meet Minister Kono for the first time.
2 Bilateral relations
Minister Kono explained that he intends to begin concretely considering exchanges in various fields in preparation for the “Japan-Peru Friendship Year” in 2019, which will mark the 120th anniversary of the systematic immigration of Japanese nationals to Peru. In addition, Minister Kono stated that he hopes to promote trade and investment, and to advance cooperation in the infrastructure field. In response, Minister Luna stated that he intends to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries in a broad range of fields, not just the economy, and the two ministers shared the view that they will further develop bilateral relations.
3 Challenges in the regional and international arenas
Commenting on the North Korea issue, Minister Kono explained that in order to bring about a change in North Korea’s policies it will be necessary to apply the maximum pressure on North Korea by utilizing all methods, including fully implementing the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. Minister Luna replied that Peru also recognizes the North Korea threat, and has reviewed its relationship with North Korea and taken the step of expelling North Korea’s “ambassador” to Peru. Furthermore, the two ministers shared the view that in light of the fact that Peru will serve as a non-permanent member of the UNSC from January 2018, they will coordinate closely to resolve challenges in the international community, including the North Korea issue. In addition, the two ministers exchanged views on cooperating on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and a variety of regional affairs.