Press Releases
Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
November 7, 2023
On November 7th, commencing at 6:25 p.m. for approximately 45 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan held a meeting with the Honorable Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America, who is visiting Japan for the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Kamikawa expressed her heartfelt sympathy to the victims of the recent terror attack by Hamas and others and offered her condolences to the bereaved families, and stated that the people being held hostage including U.S. citizens should be released as early as possible. Minister Kamikawa unequivocally condemned these acts of terror. Minister Kamikawa also stated her utmost support for the U.S. diplomatic efforts on the situation in Israel and Palestine and stated that the firm unity between Japan and the U.S. is important at a time when the international society faces a variety of challenges. In response, Secretary Blinken stated that he would like to continue to work closely with Minister Kamikawa to further strengthen the cooperation between Japan and the U.S.
- The two ministers exchanged views on regional issues.
- Minister Kamikawa stated that she would like to discuss the situation in Israel and Palestine deeply in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting following her visit to Israel, Palestine and Jordan, and the two ministers held a candid discussion on the situation in Israel and Palestine. The two ministers concurred on continuing to work closely to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza and toward realizing humanitarian pauses that would contribute to such ends, as well as to realize a two-state solution. The two ministers further concurred on continuing diplomatic efforts to prevent the current situation from spreading to the Middle East region at large. Minister Kamikawa stated that she would fulfill her responsibilities as Chair and discuss this issue deeply in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
- The two ministers concurred on continuing to work closely together on the various challenges facing the international society, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and issues related to China.