Press Releases
Japan-UK Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk
October 18, 2023
On October 18th, commencing approximately at 04:30 p.m. for about 20 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone talk with the Rt Hon James CLEVERLY MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Kamikawa expressed her heartfelt condolences to the people of the UK who fell victim to the terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, and Foreign Secretary Cleverly expressed his appreciation.
- Minister Kamikawa stated that she felt strong indignation on tremendous damage to innocent civilians in the attack against Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, and that she would like to coordinate to secure the safety of civilians and to calm down the situation as soon as possible. In response, Foreign Secretary Cleverly explained about UK’s diplomatic and other efforts, including his visit to Israel last week.
- Minister Kamikawa expressed her concern over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and stated that it is important to deliver to the local citizens the humanitarian aid that has been announced by each country, including both Japan and the UK. The two Ministers concurred on the importance of ensuring humanitarian access and humanitarian aid. The two Ministers also concurred to coordinate on securing the safety of the respective nationals.
- The two Ministers concurred to continue to coordinate on various issues of the international community including the situation in the Middle East, both bilaterally and among the G7.