Japan-United States of America Relations

On January 6, commencing at 8:50 a.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and The Honorable John Kerry, Secretary of State of the United States of America, held a telephone talk. The overview of the talk is as follows.

1. Minister Kishida stated that he would like to further deepen Japan-U.S. cooperation for global challenges as well through the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Hiroshima and various other international meetings this year. In response, Secretary Kerry stated his intention to further develop the relationship with Minister Kishida.
2. Minister Kishida explained that he and Mr. Yun Byung-se, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK) at the Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting last month, confirmed that the issue of comfort women is resolved finally and irreversibly. Secretary Kerry responded by stating that he welcomes and supports the historical agreement between Japan and the ROK, commending the mutual bravery and political resolve of both Japan and the ROK, that he looks forward to further deepening cooperation with Japan and the ROK on regional and global issues.
3. The two ministers also exchanged views over regional issues, and concurred that China's recent landing of an aircraft on the Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea, as well as the start of operation of newly built runways on the disputed land will escalate tensions, and threaten regional stability, causing a  concern. They also shared the view that Japan and the U.S. will closely cooperate to address issues, including the South China Sea.
4. Both parties shared concerns on the deteriorating relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran, agreeing that they would urge all parties to exercise self-restraint, diffuse the situation through dialogue, and resolve the issue peacefully for the stability of the Middle East region.