Press Releases

　On September 12, commencing at 4:40 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a telephone talk with H.E. Mr. Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development of the French Republic. The overview of the talk is as follows:

1. Minister Kishida stated that North Korea had forcefully conducted a nuclear test, which constitutes a direct and grave threat to the security of Japan and significantly undermines the peace and security of the region and the international community, and was therefore totally unacceptable. He further stated that Japan had seriously protested North Korea immediately through the “embassy” channel in Beijing and condemned it in the strongest terms, and that he would like to closely cooperate with France including in response at the UN Security Council (UNSC).
2. Foreign Minister Ayrault stated that France shared Japan’s view and supported Japan’s stance. He further stated that France’s adamant stance was that this nuclear test by North Korea could never be acceptable and that it was important for the members of the international community to cooperate in dealing with the matter.
3. The two Foreign Ministers shared the view to closely cooperate between Japan and France in the international community including the UNSC, to strengthen pressure on North Korea.