Japan-United States of America Relations

On June 14, commencing at around 12:05 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was visiting Seoul, the Republic of Korea (ROK), held a Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers' Meeting with the Honorable Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State of the United States. The overview of the meeting is as follows. 

1. Following the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers' Telephone Talk on June 12 and the Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting on June 14, Secretary Pompeo provided a detailed explanation on the U.S.-North Korea Summit Meeting. 
2. Minister Kono expressed his  support for the agreement that was reached in a written document during the first U.S.-North Korea Summit Meeting with Chairman Mr. Kim Jong Un,  agreeing to  take concrete actions towards the denuclearization of  the Korean Peninsula as the first step towards comprehensively resolving the outstanding issues of concern, such as the nuclear and missile issue, and most importantly, the abductions issue. Minister Kono also highly appreciated that the Honorable Donald Trump, President of the United States, urged Chairman Kim to promptly resolve the abductions issue, and he expressed sincere respect for President Trump's strong leadership and Secretary Pompeo's hard work.
3. The two foreign ministers confirmed that Japan, the United States, and the ROK, as well as the international community including China and Russia, will continue to  urge North Korea to fully implement the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. 
4. Minister Kono stated that Japan is determined to make every effort  possible to promptly resolve the abductions issue, including through  holding direct discussions between Japan and North Korea while coordinating with the international community including the United States. The two foreign ministers once again confirmed that Japan and the United States will continue to cooperate.
5. Furthermore, the two foreign ministers shared their view  that the solid Japan-U.S. Alliance and U.S.-ROK Alliance, as well as the deterrence through these alliances, play an essential role in maintaining the security of the Northeast Asia region.
6. Minister Kono explained that he wants to work together to mitigate the impact on local communities, including Okinawa, and the two sides shared the view that they would continue to cooperate, including with regard to the issue of incidents and accidents. 
7. In addition, the two foreign ministers exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and Japan-U.S. economic relations, etc.