Japan-United States of America Relations
Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
July 29, 2022
On July 29, commencing at 1:43 p.m. (local time. 2:43 a.m. on July 30, Japan time.), for approximately 55 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Washington D.C., held a meeting with the Honorable Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Secretary Blinken once again offered his condolences on the passing of former Prime Minister Abe. In response, Minister Hayashi expressed his gratitude for sympathies from Secretary Blinken, including his visit to Japan, and from the people of the U.S. The two ministers also confirmed their intention to continue to work together to follow-up on the outcomes of President Biden’s visit to Japan in May.
- The two ministers reconfirmed their commitment to expand and deepen security and defense cooperation between Japan and the U.S., and to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance. The two ministers welcomed the recent Japan-U.S. Extended Deterrence Dialogue, and concurred to continue close communication at various levels, from the perspective of ensuring that U.S. extended deterrence remains credible and resilient. The two ministers also concurred on steady implementation of the realignment plan of the U.S. forces in Japan, with a view of mitigating the impact on Okinawa and other local communities.
- The two ministers exchanged their views on regional issues.
- (1) The two ministers, regarding Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, confirmed their commitment to implement strong sanction measures against Russia and support for Ukraine, in close coordination with the international community, including the G7.
- (2) The two ministers discussed the possible impact of the aggression on the Indo-Pacific, and concurred to further strengthen coordination among allies and like-minded countries, in order not to allow unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the region.
- (3) The two ministers concurred to continue to work closely together in addressing issues related to China. The two ministers confirmed that their basic positions on Taiwan remain unchanged, reiterated the importantce of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element in security and prosperity in the international community, and encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues. The two ministers also confirmed the importance on a candid dialogue with China.
- (4) The two ministers shared serious concerns about nuclear and missile activities by North Korea, and based on the outcomes of Japan-U.S.-ROK Summit Meeting on June 29 and the Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on July 8, concurred to continue to work closely together between Japan and the U.S. as well as among Japan, the U.S. and the ROK, toward the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions. Minister Hayashi asked for continued understanding and cooperation for the abductions issue, and gained support from Secretary Blinken.
- The two ministers shared the recognition that engagement of the U.S. in the economic order in the Indo-Pacific region is becoming increasingly important. Minister Hayashi urged the U.S. to return to the TPP at an early time, while also expressing support for the IPEF.
- The two ministers concurred to exchange their views periodically and to continue to work closely together, including follow-up discussions at the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee and the Japan-U.S. Economic Policy Consultative Committee.