Press Releases
Japan-U.S. Vice Ministers’ Meeting
June 8, 2022
On June 8, commencing at 3:20 p.m. (local time, 3:20 p.m. Japan time), for approximately 1 hour, Mr. MORI Takeo, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with the Ambassador Wendy R. Sherman, Deputy Secretary of State of the United States of America, during his visit to the Republic of Korea to attend the Japan-U.S.-ROK Vice Ministers’ Meeting. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, the two sides welcomed that the President Biden’s visit to Japan in May demonstrated the unwavering U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, and concurred to strongly follow up on its outcomes. The two sides also reaffirmed their intention to swiftly strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, building upon the discussion at the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting.
- The two sides exchanged their views on regional issues.
- (1) The two sides concurred, to maintain and strengthen the sanctions against Russia, in coordination with like-minded countries, for Russia to stop the aggression against Ukraine immediately, and to continue to support Ukraine. In addition, the two sides concurred to continue to work closely together to further strengthen the solidarity of the international community.
- (2) The two sides concurred to continue to work closely together in addressing various issues related to China.
- (3) The two sides concurred to continue to work closely together between Japan and the U.S. as well as Japan, the U.S. and the ROK in addressing North Korea’s nuclear and missile issues, building upon the result of the Japan-U.S.-ROK Vice Ministers’ Meeting that was held on the same day.
- Vice Minister Mori reiterated his welcome to the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and stated that Japan would cooperate to materialize it, while urging the U.S. to return to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) from strategic perspectives. In addition, the two sides concurred to continue to work closely together toward the success of the Japan-U.S. Economic Policy Consultative Committee (the Economic “2+2”) at the Ministerial level to be held in July.