Press Releases
Japan-Thailand Foreign Ministers’ Working Lunch
December 18, 2025
On December 18, at 12:00 p.m. for approximately 70 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a working lunch with H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand. The overview of the working lunch is as follows:
- At the outset, Minister MOTEGI reiterated his heartfelt condolences for the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother and conveyed his sympathies for the damage caused by the recent heavy rains in southern Thailand. In response, Minister Sihasak expressed his appreciation for Japan's assistance in response to the damage.
- Regarding bilateral relations, Minister MOTEGI expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation in the field of security to ensure peace and stability in the region. Furthermore, in the economic field, he expressed his intention to revitalize cooperation in the manufacturing sector, including automobiles, and to promote cooperation in new areas, such as supply chain resilience, science and technology, space, AI, GX, bioeconomy, and healthcare. The two ministers concurred on strengthening cooperation in various fields, including political and, economic, and people-to-people exchanges, under the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” between the two countries.
- The two ministers confirmed the importance of realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific amid an increasingly severe international situation. They exchanged views and concurred on continuing cooperation regarding regional issues such as the situation in Myanmar, the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and their policies toward North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue. Furthermore, the two minister also exchanged views on economic security. In this regard, Minister Motegi emphasized the importance of avoiding excessive dependence on any particular country.
Furthermore, regarding the border situation between Thailand and Cambodia, Minister MOTEGI expressed his heartfelt distress over the loss of lives on both sides, including civilians, and urged both countries to exercise maximum restraint and seek a peaceful resolution through dialogue. Minister MOTEGI also stated that the Government of Japan will continue to make efforts to promote de-escalation of the situation.