Press Releases
Japan-Norway Foreign Ministers’ Video Conference
March 22, 2022
On March 22, commencing at 9:00 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a video conference with H.E. Ms. Anniken Huitfeldt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi expressed his hope to strengthen cooperation with Norway, an important partner sharing fundamental values and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, towards the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” The two ministers exchanged views regarding the situations in Ukraine and Asia, and shared the view to further promote bilateral relations and collaborate in the international arena.
- Regarding the situation in Ukraine, the two ministers confirmed that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine infringes upon Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, constitutes a serious violation of international law and is a unilateral change of the status quo by force, and they strongly condemned the aggression which undermines the very foundation of the international order including East Asia. Minister Hayashi stated that it is absolutely impermissible that a number of civilians have been killed and wounded by Russian military attacks, and it is unforgiveable that brutal attack was made to the nuclear power plant, as Japan experienced the serious damage of the nuclear power plant due to the Great East Japan Earthquake. He also mentioned that as Japan is the only country that has suffered atomic bombings, neither the threat nor the use of nuclear weapons should be tolerated. Minister Hayashi further explained Japan’s robust sanctions against Russia and Belarus, as well as its support for the investigation of the International Criminal Court and its assistance for Ukraine such as accepting people displaced from Ukraine, providing humanitarian assistance and goods of Japan Self-Defense Forces. Minister Huitfeldt highly valued the measures by Japan, and stated that the like-minded countries should strengthen cooperation between each other.
- The two ministers confirmed that they will further strengthen cooperation bilaterally and through international organizations, including on whaling. Minister Hayashi requested Norway’s confirmation of participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. In addition, Minister Hayashi requested Norway’s cooperation in promoting Europe’s understanding regarding the lifting of import restrictions on Japanese food products. Minister Huitfeldt expressed her hope to further strengthen bilateral relationship.