Press Releases
Exchange of views between Vice Minister Funakoshi Takehiro and Mr. Michael Needham, Counselor and Director of the Office of Policy Planning, U.S. Department of State
February 25, 2026
On February 25, Mr. FUNAKOSHI Takehiro, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, held an exchange of views with Mr. Michael Needham, Counselor and Director of the Office of Policy Planning, Department of State of the United States of America, who is visiting Japan. The overview is as follows:
- The two sides affirmed their commitment to working closely together to accelerate preparations so that the forthcoming visit of Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, to the United States will be another opportunity to demonstrate the unwavering Japan-U.S. Alliance.
- In light of the current international situation, the two sides broadly exchanged views on Japan-U.S. cooperation, particularly in the fields of security, economy and economic security such as cooperation on critical minerals, and affirmed that they would further advance such cooperation toward further strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance and promoting the development of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
- The two sides also exchanged views on a wide range of regional affairs, including the Indo-Pacific, and affirmed close coordination between Japan and the United States.