Press Releases
Japan-Canada Foreign Ministers’ Video Teleconference Meeting
November 26, 2021
On November 26, commencing at 8:00 am, for approximately 35 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a video conference with the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi congratulated Minister Joly on her appointment as Foreign Minister and stated that he looked forward to building a good working relationship to strengthen Japan-Canada relations together. Minister Joly congratulated Minister Hayashi on his appointment as Foreign Minister and stated that she looked forward to working together in addressing various global challenges. Minister Hayashi also expressed his condolences for the damage caused by flooding that occurred in British Columbia and so on.
- Regarding the six priority areas of cooperation toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” the two ministers shared the view to advance discussions about the concrete details of the cooperation.
- The two ministers exchanged their views on regional affairs including China and North Korea. Regarding China, the two ministers shared the view to continue to strongly oppose unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas and economic coercion. They also exchanged views regarding the situation in North Korea, including its nuclear and missile development, and confirmed to continue coordination on how to respond to North Korea, including in regards to the abductions issue. In this context, Minister Hayashi commended Canada’s efforts to address illicit ship-to-ship transfers.