Press Releases
Japan-Uruguay Foreign Ministers' Meeting
October 28, 2022


On October 28, commencing at 4:00 p.m. for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Francisco Bustillo Bonasso, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, who was accompanying H.E. Mr. Luis Lacalle Pou, President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, on his visit to Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi expressed his pleasure to have this face-to-face meeting with Mr. Bustillo, following the video conference in February this year. He stated that Japan and Uruguay are important partners which share the fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in addition to more than 100 years of friendship, and that he would like to further strengthen cooperation in various fields, including the realization of a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
- The two Ministers affirmed the importance of the joint statement issued by the leaders of Japan and Uruguay on the occasion of the visit to Japan as well as the establishment of a joint committee to discuss bilateral economic relations and the decision to introduce a working holiday program in deepening the bilateral relations in the future. The two Ministers also shared their view on the promotion of public-private cooperation in the digital field, including 5G.
- Minister Hayashi expressed his appreciation for Minister Bustillo's support for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). The two Ministers strongly condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine that has shaken the foundations of the international order and shared their view that Russia's nuclear threats are unacceptable at all. They concurred on their continued coordination in their responses in the international arena.
- The two Ministers also exchanged views on cooperation in the international arena, including the strengthening of the functions of the United Nations and nuclear disarmament, and on regional affairs, including East Asia. They affirmed their continued cooperation.