Press Releases
Japan-Norway Foreign Ministers Meeting
September 26, 2022
On September 26, commencing at 4:05 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Ms. Anniken HUITFELDT, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway, who was visiting Japan to attend the state funeral for former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi expressed his gratitude for the visit of Minister Huitfeldt to attend the state funeral for former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo. In response, Minister Huitfeldt expressed her condolences on the passing of former Prime Minister Abe.
- Minister Hayashi stated that Japan and Norway are both maritime nations and important partners sharing fundamental values, and the two Ministers concurred on exploring possibilities for cooperation in various areas to further develop bilateral relations.
- The two Ministers also exchanged views on regional affairs, Minister Hayashi expressed that, as the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is inseparable, 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.