Press Releases
Japan-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Video Teleconference Meeting
November 16, 2021
On November 16, commencing at 2:00 p.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a video teleconference meeting with Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Payne congratulated Minister HAYASHI on his appointment as Foreign Minister. In response, Minister HAYASHI stated that he hopes to work hand in glove with Minister Payne in elevating the “Special Strategic Partnership” between Japan and Australia to a higher level, and cooperate with her toward the realization of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific".
- The two Ministers concurred that they would communicate closely with each other for further advancing the Japan-Australia relations through (1) cooperation in the areas of security and defense and economy, (2) coordination with allies and like-minded countries, including cooperation between Japan, Australia, India and the U.S. and between Japan, Australia and the U.S., and (3) cooperation on global issues.
- The two Ministers also shared their strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas and any economic coercion.
- Furthermore, the two Ministers shared the view on the situation in North Korea including its nuclear and missile-related activities and confirmed that they would continue to work together on the response to North Korea, including the abductions issue.