Press Releases
Japan-UK Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk
September 9, 2021
On September 9, commencing at 4:30 p.m. for 25 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone talk with the Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and First Secretary of State of the United Kingdom. The overview is as follows.
- With the UK’s aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth having made a port call in Japan, both ministers affirmed that Japan-UK security and defense cooperation has elevated to a new level, and that they will promote further cooperation in the areas of security and defense towards the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”.
- The two ministers held an exchange of views on the situation in Afghanistan, following up the ministerial meeting on Afghanistan held on the previous day, and affirmed that they will continue to coordinate closely in responding to the situation, including urging Taliban to enable safe passage of people who wish to depart from the country and to ensure an inclusive political process.
- In addition, the two ministers exchanged views on global issues such as climate change and affirmed that they will coordinate on COP26, of which the UK holds this year’s Presidency.