Press Releases

(1) Minister Kishida stated that Japan and the U.K. were global strategic partners that share fundamental values and that given the rules-based international order is facing challenges in various forms, including the nuclear and missile development by North Korea and the situations in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, he hoped that Japan and the UK would cooperate to exercise leadership in order to maintain a free and open international community.

(2) In response, Secretary Johnson stated that Japan and the United Kingdom shared values and that he would like to cooperate closely to maintain the rules-based international system. The Secretary also said that he was pleased that the investment by Japanese companies in the United Kingdom had been maintained even after the United Kingdom’s decision for exiting from the EU, and that he would like to further deepen relations with Japan after U.K.’s withdrawal from the EU.

(1) The two ministers highly valued the implementation of joint exercises by Japan, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States in May this year. Minister Kishida welcomed the approval of the Japan-U.K. ACSA (Acquisition and Cross-Servinc Agreement) by the Diet and the Parliament in both countries as the agreement would underpin the promotion of security and defense cooperation, and expressed his wish for its early entry into force.

(2)Regarding capacity-building assistance for developing countries, the two ministers welcomed the recent achievements of Japan-UK collaboration to clear landmines in Angola and in the field of “preventing sexual violence in conflict” in Senegal, and agreed to continue to promote these kinds of collaboration.

(3) The two ministers confirmed that they would promote their cooperation in the area of cybersecurity, looking ahead to the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

(1) The two ministers confirmed that the agreement in principle of the Japan-EU EPA was a major message to the world by Japan and the EU that they would continue to raise the banner of free trade high, and that they would cooperate toward the prompt entry into force of the agreement.

(2) Regarding the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU, Minister Kishida stated that Japan supported a strong Europe and that he would like to strengthen cooperation with a united Europe including the United Kingdom for the peace and stability of the international community even after the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU. The Minister also asked for the consideration for transparency and predictability so as to minimize the impact of the withdrawal on companies.

(3) In response, Secretary Johnson stated that exit from the EU does not mean U.K.’s exit from Europe and that the United Kingdom would continue to maintain a close cooperative relationship with the EU. The Secretary also said that the United Kingdom would listen to and consider the voices of concern from Japanese companies, and appreciated the suggestions from Japan regarding the withdrawal negotiations.

(1) Regarding North Korea, the two ministers shared the understanding that, given the ballistic missile launch by North Korea on July 4, what would be needed now was not dialogue but stronger pressure on North Korea, and that the role of China was critical. Moreover, Minister Kishida asked for understanding and cooperation toward the early resolution of the abductions issue, for which he obtained Secretary Johnson’s support.

(2) Regarding the East China Sea and the South China Sea situations, the two ministers agreed to continue to cooperate closely in order to maintain the international order based on the rule of law.

(3) In addition, the two ministers exchanged views on Russia, East Asia, and the situations in the Middle East.