Press Releases
Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk
On January 20, commencing from 10:10 p.m. (local time) for approximately 10 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a telephone talk with the Honorable John F. Kerry, Secretary of State of the United States of America, in light of the hostage incident of Japanese individuals in Syria. The outline of the talk is as follows.
1. Foreign Minister Kishida stated the following points.
(1) Japan is grateful for the prompt and comprehensive support and a sense of solidarity signified by the United States in its press statement.
(2) This early morning, ISIL released a video on the internet announcing its intent to kill two Japanese individuals. A threat of this kind in exchange of people’s lives is an unacceptable act and I feel strong indignation.
(3) The assistance of 200 million dollars announced by Prime Minister Abe is to make as much contribution as possible in the non-military areas, including support to the refugees.
(4) Japan will not succumb to terrorism, and will contribute to the international community’s fight against terrorism.
(5) Japan would like to ask for support from the United States government in collecting information and cooperation towards early release of the Japanese individuals.
2. In response, Secretary Kerry said that the United States will provide full support to Japan for the earliest settlement of the incident and continue to work closely together.