3 Collaboration and Cooperation with Other Countries

In 2022, Japan remained actively engaged in diplomatic activities for the realization of FOIP.

(1) U.S. (See Section 3)

In February, the U.S. released the Indo-Pacific Strategy. In May, Prime Minister Kishida held a Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting with President Joseph Biden who was visiting Japan. The two leaders recognized that the Indo-Pacific is extremely crucial to global peace, security, and prosperity, and concurred that Japan and the U.S., as allies sharing fundamental values, will lead the international community and continue to work closely with like-minded countries, such as Australia, India, Canada,　ASEAN, and Europe, toward the realization of FOIP. The two leaders also issued the “Japan-U.S. Joint Leaders' Statement: -Strengthening the Free and Open International Order-.”

In October, the U.S. released the “National Security Strategy.” During the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers' Meeting in November, Foreign Minister Hayashi expressed his high appreciation for the U.S. “National Security Strategy,” which reiterated the promotion of FOIP and the unwavering U.S. commitment to the defense of Japan, including the Senkaku Islands. In response, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the U.S. would continue close coordination with its allies and partners to defend the free and open international order.

(2) ASEAN (See Section 2, 7)

Japan and ASEAN released the Joint Statement of the 23rd ASEAN-Japan Summit on Cooperation on ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific in November 2020, confirming that the AOIP and FOIP share fundamental principles. At the ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting in August 2022, Foreign Minister Hayashi stated that Japan continues to steadily implement concrete cooperation projects toward the realization of FOIP and the AOIP, and that Japan continues to work toward maintaining and strengthening the rules-based free and open international order under the “Kishida Vision for Peace” to bring new developments to FOIP. At the ASEAN-Japan Summit in November, Prime Minister Kishida stated that there have been 89 concrete cooperation projects in total since the adoption of the 2020 Joint Statement, and presented a progress report on AOIP cooperation. Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida stated that, heading toward the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in 2023, Japan will enhance cooperation in the areas of: (1) maritime cooperation, such as maritime traffic safety; (2) assistance for connectivity, such as quality infrastructure investment; (3) health issues including universal health coverage (UHC), measures to address climate change and disaster risk reduction; and (4) cooperation in a wide range of economic areas, such as supply chain resilience, digital technology, and food security.

(3) Canada (See Section 3)

At the Japan-Canada Foreign Ministers' Meeting in October, the two Ministers concurred that the realization of FOIP, a vision shared by Japan and Canada, is indispensable for the peace and prosperity of the region, and announced the “Japan-Canada Action Plan for contributing to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.” In November, “Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy,” the country's first such strategy, was launched.

(4) Australia (See Section 2, 6)

In May, Prime Minister Kishida held a Japan-Australia Summit Meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who was visiting Japan. The two leaders concurred to further strengthen the “Special Strategic Partnership” between Japan and Australia and work together with allies and like-minded countries to realize FOIP. In October, a Japan-Australia Summit Meeting was held in Australia, and the two leaders signed a new Japan-Australia Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation that affirmed their unwavering commitment to FOIP. At the Tenth Japan-Australia 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations in December, the four Ministers concurred that Japan and Australia will strengthen coordination to promote further cooperation with ASEAN, while supporting ASEAN centrality and unity and the AOIP.

(5) India (See Section 2, 5)

In March, Prime Minister Kishida, during his visit to New Delhi, held a Japan-India Summit Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders reaffirmed that it is important for Japan and India to work closely together bilaterally as well as multilaterally, such as through the Quad, toward realizing FOIP. Furthermore, they issued the Japan-India Summit Joint Statement that reaffirmed their common vision for FOIP free from coercion. Moreover, at the Second Japan-India 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting in September, the Ministers confirmed to cooperate toward the common goal of realizing FOIP and to continue to support ASEAN's unity and centrality. The four Ministers also confirmed the importance of concrete cooperation among FOIP, India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), and the AOIP.

(6) Japan-Australia-India-U.S.

The four countries of Japan, Australia, India and the U.S. have the shared goal of strengthening a rules-based free and open international order. In order to make tangible progress with FOIP, the Quad is implementing practical cooperation in various areas, including quality infrastructure and maritime security, and shares the view on the importance of expanding cooperation to more countries to realize this vision. The Quad also fully supports the AOIP and welcomes the proactive efforts by European and other countries toward FOIP. At the Quad Leaders' Meeting held in Japan in May, the four leaders welcomed that the vision of FOIP is resonating in various regions around the world, and that proactive efforts are underway in those regions, including the AOIP of ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific strategies of the EU and European countries. They shared the view of further deepening engagement and cooperation with each country and region for the realization of this vision. At the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in the U.S. in September, the four Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to realize FOIP.

(7) Republic of Korea (ROK) (See Section 2, 3-(2))

In November, the ROK presented the main points of its “Strategy for a Free, Peaceful, and Prosperous Indo-Pacific Region.” At the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting in the same month, the two leaders welcomed each other's vision for the Indo-Pacific and concurred on aligning their collective efforts in pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific that is inclusive, resilient, and secure.

(8) Europe

A The EU (See Section 5, 2-(1))

In December 2021, the EU presented its connectivity strategy, Global Gateway. During a telephone call with President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission in February 2022, Prime Minister Kishida stated that he appreciated the strategy, and that he intends to continue to work with the EU based on the “Partnership on Sustainable Connectivity and Quality Infrastructure between Japan and the European Union.” At the Japan-EU Summit held in Japan in May, Prime Minister Kishida expressed the intent to pursue cooperation between Japan and the EU, which share fundamental values, in working toward the realization of FOIP. In February, Foreign Minister Hayashi attended the Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, co-hosted by France and the EU, in a virtual format. Foreign Minister Hayashi delivered a speech, in which he emphasized the need to build a rules-based, free and open international order in the Indo-Pacific region, and in this context, the importance of strengthening collaboration with Europe, like-minded countries, the Quad, ASEAN, and others. Furthermore, he stated that ASEAN, located at the heart of the Indo-Pacific, is the cornerstone of efforts to achieve FOIP, and that it is essential that Japan and the EU both support and encourage ASEAN centrality and unity.

B The UK (See Section 5, 2-(2))

In May, during the Japan-UK Summit Meeting and working lunch held in the UK, Prime Minister Kishida commended the deepening of Japan-UK security and defense cooperation and the UK's engagement in the Indo-Pacific, including the deployment of the UK carrier strike group to the region and joint exercises in 2021, the permanent deployment of UK naval vessels to the region, and the response to ship-to-ship transfers³ by North Korean-flagged vessels. Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that the UK remains committed to the region. Furthermore, the two leaders shared the view that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific is inseparable and that a unilateral change of the status quo by force is not acceptable anywhere in the world, and reaffirmed to work closely together toward the realization of FOIP. Subsequently, in the area of security, the joint development of a next-generation fighter aircraft by Japan, the UK, and Italy was announced in December. This was followed by Prime Minister Kishida's visit to the UK and the signing of the Japan-UK Reciprocal Access Agreement with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in January 2023, lifting the Japan-UK security and defense cooperation to new heights.

• 3 In this context, “ship-to-ship transfers” refers to the transfers to or from North Korea-flagged vessels of any goods or items at sea, which UN Security Council resolution 2375 (adopted in September 2017) prohibits the UN member states from facilitating or engaging in.

C France (See Section 5, 2-(3))

In January, the Sixth Japan-France Foreign and Defense Ministers' Meeting (“2+2”) was held via videoconference, at which the four Ministers confirmed to encourage concrete cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. At the Japan-France Foreign Ministers' Meeting in May, Foreign Minister Hayashi appreciated the leadership of France in enhancing the EU's engagement in the Indo-Pacific, and the two Ministers concurred to promote concrete cooperation through consultations in a range of frameworks to realize multi-layered bilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. On January 1, 2023, Japan opened the Consular Office in Nouméa in New Caledonia, which has geopolitical importance in the Indo-Pacific region and serves as a crucial stronghold for advancing Japan-France cooperation toward the realization of FOIP. At the Japan-France Summit Meeting held in the same month, Prime Minister Kishida stated that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific is inseparable and that he welcomed the progress in substantive cooperation, such as reciprocal visits of assets and joint exercises between Japan and France. The two leaders concurred to deepen cooperation between the two countries.

D Germany (See Section 5, 2-(4))

In September 2020, the German cabinet adopted the “Policy Guidelines for the Indo-Pacific Region,” which emphasizes the importance of the principles of freedom of navigation, rule of law and connectivity in the Indo-Pacific. In September 2022, Germany released a progress report on the Guidelines. Furthermore, at the Japan-Germany Summit Meeting held in April 2022, Prime Minister Kishida voiced great appreciation for Germany's increasing interest and involvement in the Indo-Pacific, noting the dramatic deepening of security cooperation between the two countries, as evidenced by the conclusion of the Japan-Germany Agreement on the Security of Information, the holding of the Japan-Germany Foreign and Defense Ministers' meeting (“2+2”), the port call by a German navy frigate to Japan, and so forth.

E Italy (See Section 5, 2-(5))

In February, Italy announced the Italian Contribution to the EU Strategy for the Indo-Pacific. During his visit to Italy in May, Prime Minister Kishida held a summit meeting with President of the Council of Ministers Mario Draghi. Prime Minister Kishida appreciated the formulation of the document, and the two leaders concurred on promoting cooperation toward the realization of FOIP. Subsequently, the two sides also confirmed such cooperation at the Japan-Italy Foreign Ministers' Meeting and other opportunities. In December, Japan, Italy, and the UK decided on and announced the joint development of a next-generation fighter aircraft. In January 2023, Prime Minister Kishida visited Italy, where he and President of the Council of Ministers Giorgia Meloni concurred to upgrade their bilateral relationship to a “Strategic Partnership,” launch a consultation between authorities concerning foreign affairs and defense, and further cooperate in the security field.

F The Netherlands (See Section 5, Other European Regions on page 144)

In July, Foreign Minister Hayashi, who was visiting Indonesia to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held a Japan-Netherlands Foreign Ministers' Working Dinner. The two Ministers confirmed to further strengthen cooperation in areas such as security and economic security toward the realization of FOIP.