Press Releases
Japan-Canada Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Working Dinner
October 11, 2022
On October 11, commencing at 5:45 p.m. for approximately 45 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, followed by a working dinner commencing at 7:00 p.m. for approximately 60 minutes. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi stated that he sincerely welcomed Minister Joly's visit to Japan, as it showcases the good and close relations between Japan and Canada, which have reached new heights. And Minister Hayashi also stressed that this visit is also a testament to Canada's active engagement in the region as an Indo-Pacific nation. In response, Foreign Minister Joly stated that she would like to demonstrate Canada's active involvement in the Indo-Pacific region during her visit.
- The two ministers concurred that as the security environment has become increasingly severe, the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”, a vision shared by Japan and Canada, is indispensable for the peace and prosperity of the region, and announced the Japan-Canada Action Plan for contributing to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. This Action Plan will serve as a compass for future Japan-Canada cooperation.
- The two ministers exchanged their views on regional issues including the situation in Ukraine, North Korea, and China, as well as on maintaining and strengthening the rules-based international order.
- (1) The two ministers shared the view that the purported “incorporation” of Ukrainian regions by Russia constitutes a serious violation of international law and strongly condemned such moves. The two ministers also strongly condemned the attacks on Kyiv, Lviv, and other parts of Ukraine on October 10, which resulted in civilian casualties, and shared the view that attacks on civilians and civilian facilities are in violation of international law and can never be justified and that the international community, including the G7, must unite and respond to Russia with firm resolve. The two ministers confirmed their commitment to implement strong sanction measures against Russia and support for Ukraine, in close coordination with the international community, including the G7.
- (2) The two ministers strongly condemned North Korea’s launches of seven ballistic missiles over the course of a short period since the end of September with extremely high tempo, including a ballistic missile which flew over Japanese territory on October 4, as a serious and imminent threat to the national security of Japan and a clear and serious challenge to the international community. The two ministers concurred to coordinate toward the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions, and also to continue coordination in addressing issues related to North Korea, including illegal ship-to-ship transfers and the abductions issue.
- (3) The two ministers strongly opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force and coercion in the East and South China Seas and confirmed that they will continue to work together in addressing issues related to China.
- (4) The two ministers also discussed responses to economic coercion and CPTPP, and concurred to coordinate closely.
[Reference]
Japan-Canada Action Plan for contributing to a free and open Indo-Pacific region (English(PDF)
/ Japanese(PDF))