Press Releases
The Second Japan-Australia-India-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
October 6, 2020
On October 6, commencing at 5:15 p.m. for approximately 3 hours, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs, chaired the Second Japan-Australia-India-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and dinner with Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia, H.E. Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, and The Honorable Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State of the United States, who are visiting Japan. The overview of the meeting and the dinner is as follows:
- The four Ministers welcomed the Second Japan-Australia-India-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which became the first ministerial-level international conference in Japan since the outbreak and spread of COVID-19.
- The four Ministers exchanged views on the response to various challenges which have come to the fore with the outbreak and spread of COVID-19, and affirmed their intention to continue their cooperation in the areas of health and hygiene and on issues including making new international rules in such areas as digital economy.
- The four Ministers affirmed the importance of broadening cooperation with more countries for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” as the vision serves for the peace and prosperity of the region and its importance in the post-COVID world is increasing. In this regard, the four Ministers reaffirmed their strong support for ASEAN’s unity and centrality as well as the ASEAN-led regional architecture. They also reaffirmed their full support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. They also welcomed proactive efforts by other countries including those in Europe toward a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
- The four Ministers concurred on further developing practical cooperation in various areas such as quality infrastructure, maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber security, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, education and human resource development, in order to promote a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" in a concrete way.
- The four Ministers also exchanged views on regional affairs such as North Korea and East and South China Seas.
- The four Ministers shared the view to regularize this Foreign Ministers’ meeting and hold the next one at an appropriate timing next year.