Press Releases
Japan-Latvia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
September 18, 2025
On September 18, commencing at 11:10 a.m. for approximately 45 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Ms. Baiba BRAŽE, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, who was visiting Japan.
- At the outset, Minister IWAYA expressed his congratulations on Latvia’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (2026-2027). He also stated that, building on the occasion of the upgrade of Japan-Latvia relations to a Strategic Partnership during the visit of President Rinkēvičs to Japan in May this year, he would further advance bilateral relations. In response, Minister Braže stated that she looks forward to working even more closely with Japan.
- The two Ministers confirmed their commitment to deepening their economic relations in addition to cooperation in the field of security.
- Furthermore, the two Ministers confirmed that their countries will cooperate on various challenges facing the international community, including the situation in Ukraine, regional affairs in East Asia, such as their policies toward North Korea, including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue. They also confirmed cooperation on United Nations Security Council reform. Japan and Latvia continue to work closely together in these issues.