Press Releases
Japan-Costa Rica Foreign Ministers' Meeting
August 8, 2024
On August 8, commencing at 2:10 p.m., Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting for approximately 35 minutes with H.E. Dr. Arnoldo ANDRÉ Tinoco, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of the Republic of Costa Rica, who is visiting Japan. The summary of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Kamikawa welcomed Minister André, who is visiting Japan for the first time in two years, and touched upon the long history of friendship between the two countries, which will celebrate the 90th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year. She stated that, when the free and open international order based on the rule of law is being challenged, the cooperation between the two countries had never been more important as the two countries are peace loving nations and have led the international community in promoting free and fair trade. In response, Minister André stated that Costa Rica attaches great importance to its relations with Japan and would like to further develop friendly relations between the two countries, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Japanese Cooperation through JICA in Costa Rica this year and the 90th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year.
- The two Ministers exchanged views on cooperation under the Japanese government's "Diplomatic Initiative toward Latin America and the Caribbean" and confirmed the need to strengthen cooperation in areas such as Women, Peace and Security (WPS), maritime and environment, and nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Minister Kamikawa expressed her appreciation for Minister André's participation in the Peace Memorial Ceremony in Hiroshima. The Ministers also confirmed that they will work closely for strengthening ties between Japan and Central America, taking into account that Costa Rica will chair the SICA (Central American Integration System) in the first half of 2025. They also exchanged views on the CPTPP. H.E. Dr. Manuel TOVAR, Minister of Foreign Trade, who was also present at the meeting, stated that Costa Rica will take over the Chair of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting from Japan and will work on important issues, such as artificial intelligence.
- The two Ministers concurred that it is more important than ever to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law, and that it is crucial for like-minded countries to unite toward this end, including in areas such as the economy and the digital sector.
- The Ministers confirmed that they will work more closely, as like-minded countries that share values and principles, toward the 90th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in the coming year.