Press Releases
Japan-Finland Foreign Ministers Meeting
September 26, 2022
On September 26, commencing at 3:35 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Pekka HAAVISTO, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finland, who is visiting Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi expressed his gratitude for the visit of Minister Haavisto to attend the state funeral for former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo. In response, Minister Haavisto expressed his deep condolences on the passing of former Prime Minister Abe, as he had had the opportunity to meet Mr Abe on the occasion of International Women's Conference (WAW!) and had a personal affinity for him.
- Minister Hayashi mentioned that Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio had had fruitful discussions with Prime Minister Marin at the summit meeting held during her visit to Japan in May this year. He stated that Japan supported Finland's historic decision to apply for NATO membership by reviewing its traditional policy in the midst of a drastically changing security environment in Europe and expressed respect for Finland's efforts.
- The two Ministers also exchanged views on regional affairs, Minister Hayashi expressed that Japan would like to further strengthen cooperation with like-minded countries. The Ministers shared the view on Russia's aggression against Ukraine that it is necessary for the like-minded countries to unite and continue sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine.
- Furthermore, the two Ministers confirmed that unilateral change to the status quo by force is not acceptable anywhere in the world. They also affirmed that they would continue to cooperate with each other on the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and in responding to North Korea on the nuclear and missile issues, such as the ballistic missile launch on September 25th, as well as the abductions issue.