Press Releases
Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Working Lunch
January 7, 2025
On January 7th , commencing at 11:30 a.m. for approximately 90 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan held a working lunch with the Honorable Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America, who is visiting Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Iwaya expressed his deepest condolences on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter last December. Minister Iwaya also expressed his sympathies on the truck attack that occurred in New Orleans, southern part of the U.S. on January 1st (local time).
- Also, Minister Iwaya expressed his gratitude to Secretary Blinken for his contribution to the Japan-U.S. Alliance. Minister Iwaya also stated that he wants to continue raising the Japan-U.S. Alliance to new heights.
- The two Ministers concurred on the importance of implementing cooperation to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance deterrence and response capabilities, building on the outcomes of the Japan-U.S. “2+2” last July. The two Ministers also exchanged views on the economy, including on the acquisition of United States Steel Corporation by Nippon Steel Corporation, and reaffirmed the importance of Japan-U.S. economic relations, including investments by Japanese companies in the U.S.
- The two Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the close coordination, including on policies toward North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, between Japan and the U.S. and among Japan, the ROK and the U.S. that remains ensured even in the face of various complicating situations. The two Ministers strongly condemned the ballistic missile launch by North Korea on January 6th. The two Ministers also exchanged their views and reaffirmed the importance of Japan-U.S. cooperation on regional situations such as issues related to China, and the situation in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.
- Minister Iwaya stated that Japan and the U.S. have become global partners to uphold and bolster the free and open international order based on the rule of law. Minister Iwaya referred to the advancement of cooperation of like-minded countries, including Japan-U.S.-ROK, Japan-U.S.-Philippines and Japan-Australia-India-U.S.
- At the end of the meeting, the two ministers concurred on continuing working closely together to further uphold and bolster the Japan-U.S. relationship, which has become stronger than ever.