Press Releases
Exchange of Views Between Foreign Minister Kishida and U.S. Ambassador Kennedy
On January 6, commencing at 2:30 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, exchanged opinions with Ms. Caroline Kennedy, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, concerning North Korean issues. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Foreign Minister Kishida started the meeting by stating that the recent action by North Korea constitutes a grave security threat related to the peace and safety of the region and the international community, that Japan views this action as unacceptable and strongly condemns it, and that Japan intends to collaborate closely with the United States and other relevant countries such as the Republic of Korea regarding matters including urgent consultations at the United Nations Security Council, which the United States and Japan have requested.
2. In response, Ambassador Kennedy stated that the United States condemns all violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions, calls for North Korea to uphold the United Nations Security Council resolutions and its international commitments, and intends to collaborate closely with Japan and its other allies including at the United Nations in relation to this matter.
3. The two sides agreed that the recent action by North Korea is a clear violation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the Six-Party Talks Joint Statement and represents a grave challenge to the peace and safety of the region and international community, and they strongly condemned this action.
4. Furthermore, the two sides agreed that it is important for Japan and the United States to collaborate closely regarding information sharing and the handling of United Nations Security Council consultations.