Press Releases

Telephone Conference between Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Fumio Kishida and US Ambassador to Japan Ms. Caroline Kennedy

November 25, 2013
Japanese
On November 25, from 6:20 p.m. for approximately 10 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a telephone conference with Ms. Caroline Kennedy, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, who was visiting the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake at the time. The outline of the conference is as follows.

1. Minister Kishida expressed deep concern about the establishment of the “East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone” by China on November 23 as a profoundly dangerous act that unilaterally changes the status quo in the East China Sea, escalating the situation, and may cause unintended consequences in the local sea and airspace. He explained that Japan is demanding China to revoke any measures that could infringe upon the freedom of flight in international airspace.

2. In addition, Minister Kishida stated that Japan highly appreciates the United States’ response to this matter, and that the issuance of robust statements by both the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense demonstrated effectively their deep concerns on this issue.

3. In response, Ambassador Kennedy said that she applauds Japan’s prompt response to China’s unilateral action. Ambassador Kennedy and Minister Kishida shared the view that Japan and the United States will continue to cooperate closely on this issue.

4. At the end of the conference, Minister Kishida expressed gratitude for Ambassador Kennedy’s visit to the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Ambassador Kennedy replied that the people in these areas are strong and courageous, and that she was pleased to visit them.

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(* The foregoing is a provisional translation. The date indicated above denotes the date of issue of the original press release in Japanese.)
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