Japan-Canada Relations
Japan-Canada Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
November 17, 2015
On November 16, commencing at around 5:50 p.m. (around 6:50 p.m. on November 16, Japan time) for approximately 35 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan had a Japan-Canada Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with H.E. Mr. Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada during his visit to the Republic of the Philippines to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1 General Remarks
(1) Minister Kishida extended his congratulations on the victory in Canada's general election in October this year and Minister Dion's appointment, and expressed his hope to work together to develop the cooperative relationship with Canada, as an important partner in the Asia-Pacific region that shares fundamental values with Japan. He expressed the view that the international community should unite in resolutely denouncing the acts of terrorism that occurred in Paris, and stated that Japan intends to work closely with the international community, including Canada. Looking ahead also to the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Hiroshima next April, he expressed his hopes of advancing the cooperative relationship together with Minister Dion.
(2) Minister Dion replied that Canada also intends to cooperate for the success of the G7 meeting, the importance of which has increased in light of the terrorism in Paris, and he hopes to further strengthen the Japan-Canada bilateral relationship going forward.
(2) Minister Dion replied that Canada also intends to cooperate for the success of the G7 meeting, the importance of which has increased in light of the terrorism in Paris, and he hopes to further strengthen the Japan-Canada bilateral relationship going forward.
2 Bilateral Relations, Regional Affairs etc.
(1) Minister Kishida explained that he hopes to work closely together in order to issue a powerful message from Hiroshima, the site of an atomic bombing, at next year's G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The two ministers agreed that they will cooperate so that Japan and Canada, which are both Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI) member countries and members of the G7, can also achieve progress with nuclear disarmament.
(2) Minister Kishida explained Japan's policy of ''proactive contribution to peace'' based on the principle of international cooperation, and stated that together with Canada, Japan intends to contribute more actively to the peace, stability, and prosperity of the region and the international community. The two ministers agreed that they will explore specific area of cooperation going forward.
(3) The two ministers affirmed their recognition of the benefits that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will bring, and shared the view that they will cooperate to advance bilateral trade and investment, and for a successful 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21).
(4) Furthermore, the two ministers exchanged views on the Asia-Pacific regional situation, and agreed that attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo shall be of concern for the international community, and that the rule of law, including the peaceful resolution of disputes, is important.
(2) Minister Kishida explained Japan's policy of ''proactive contribution to peace'' based on the principle of international cooperation, and stated that together with Canada, Japan intends to contribute more actively to the peace, stability, and prosperity of the region and the international community. The two ministers agreed that they will explore specific area of cooperation going forward.
(3) The two ministers affirmed their recognition of the benefits that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will bring, and shared the view that they will cooperate to advance bilateral trade and investment, and for a successful 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21).
(4) Furthermore, the two ministers exchanged views on the Asia-Pacific regional situation, and agreed that attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo shall be of concern for the international community, and that the rule of law, including the peaceful resolution of disputes, is important.