Japan-United States of America Relations
Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
April 17, 2023
On April 17th, commencing at 6:25 p.m., for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with the Honorable Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America, who is visiting Japan to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi welcomed the close coordination between Japan and the U.S., including the close relationship between the two ministers. They confirmed to continue to work closely together in this crucial moment in upholding the free and open international order based on the rule of law.
- The two ministers exchanged their views on Japan-U.S. security cooperation, and concurred to cooperate to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, based on the achievement of the Japan-U.S. “2+2” in January.
- The two ministers, building upon the discussions at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, had a frank exchange of views on the situation in Ukraine, issues related to China, and responses to North Korea including on the abductions issue. The two ministers also discussed the importance of engagement with and support for the so-called “Global South”.
- The two ministers shared the recognition that U.S. engagement in the regional economic order is becoming increasingly important, and concurred on cooperating for the progress of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) negotiations. Minister Hayashi, meanwhile, conveyed Japan’s position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) from a strategic perspective.
- The two ministers concurred to work closely together between Japan and the U.S. toward the success of the G7 Hiroshima Summit.