Japan-United States of America Relations
Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
January 11, 2023
On January 11, commencing at 6:06 p.m. (local time. 8:06 a.m. on January 12, Japan time.), for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, during his visit to Washington D.C. to attend the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (Japan-U.S. “2+2”), 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, Minister Hayashi expressed his delight in meeting Secretary Blinken at the beginning of 2023. In return, Secretary Blinken welcomed Minister Hayashi’s visit to the U.S. The two ministers reaffirmed that they would continue close coordination between Japan and the U.S. toward further strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance and to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
- The two ministers, building up on the discussions held at the Japan-U.S. “2+2” before this meeting, reaffirmed to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance as a whole including by linking the reinforcement of Japan’s defense capabilities to making the capabilities of the U.S. more effective. The two ministers also concurred on the steady implementation of the realignment plan of the U.S. forces in Japan with a view to mitigating the impact on Okinawa and other local communities.
- The two ministers concurred to continue to work closely together in addressing issues related to China. The two ministers also concurred to monitor the infection conditions of COVID-19 in China.
- The two ministers welcomed the progress of the IPEF. The two ministers shared the recognition that engagement of the U.S. in the economic order and economic security of the region is becoming increasingly important. From a strategic perspective, Minister Hayashi conveyed Japan’s position on TPP.
- The two ministers concurred to continue to work closely together for the success of the G7 Hiroshima Summit Meeting and the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
- As Japan will chair the G7 and the U.S. will chair APEC this year, the two ministers concurred that Japan and the U.S. will continue to lead the international community to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law by making use of this momentum.