Japan-United States of America Relations
Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Dinner Meeting
January 16, 2018
On January 16, commencing at shortly after 7 p.m. (local time; shortly after 12 a.m. on January 17, Japan time) for approximately one and a half hours, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is visiting Vancouver to attend Vancouver Foreign Minister's Meeting on Security and Stability on the Korean Peninsula , held a Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers' Dinner meeting with the Honorable Rex W. Tillerson, Secretary of State of the United States of America. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- The two ministers exchanged views on North Korea, and reaffirmed that Japan and the United States will work together to lead the international community's efforts to maximize pressure on North Korea.
- In addition, Minister Kono expressed regret over the series of accidents which happened this month in Okinawa and heightened the local people's anxiety. He also requested fundamental review on preventive measures on recurrence. In response, Secretary Tillerson regretted that the recent emergency/precautionary landings, which were conducted out of an abundance of caution, had caused anxiety among local residents. He stressed that the USG will take further actions regarding safety in the maintenance and operation of U.S. military aircraft to prevent recurrence.
- The two sides also exchanged views widely on a variety of topics.