Press Releases

Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk

January 27, 2021

 On January 27th, commencing at 8:00 a.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk with the Honorable Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America. The overview of the telephone talk is as follows.

  1. At the outset, Minister Motegi congratulated Secretary Blinken on his confirmation as Secretary of State, and on the inauguration of the Biden administration. The two ministers confirmed that they would closely coordinate to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance and to address various issues facing the region and the international community.
  2. Minister Motegi expressed his appreciation for the United States’ commitment based on the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, in particular regarding the application of Article 5 of the treaty to the Senkaku Islands. In response, Secretary Blinken reaffirmed that the United States’ commitment will remain unchanged. The ministers also exchanged views on the negotiations on Host Nations Support and confirmed they would closely coordinate towards an early conclusion of the negotiations.
  3. The two ministers exchanged views on the regional situation including China, North Korea, and South Korea as well as the importance of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. They shared the view on the increasingly severe regional security situation and confirmed close coordination between Japan and the U.S., as well as with like-minded partners including Australia and India, on challenges facing the region and the international community. Minister Motegi asked for Secretary Blinken’s understanding and cooperation toward an early resolution of the North Korean abductions issue, to which Secretary Blinken expressed his support.
  4. The ministers agreed to work together closely to tackle issues of common concern to the international community, such as COVID-19 and climate change. They also resolved to revitalize the G7.
  5. The two ministers shared the view that Minister Motegi will visit the United States to hold a Foreign Ministers’ Meeting aiming for an early date while taking into account the COVID-19 situation.

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