Press Releases
Courtesy Call on Foreign Minister Motegi by Mr. Michael Needham, Counselor and Director of the Office of Policy Planning, U.S. Department of State
February 25, 2026
On February 25, commencing at 4:10 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, received a courtesy call from 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 exchanged views on Japan-U.S. cooperation across a wide range of fields, including diplomacy, economy and economic security, and security. They affirmed that they would continue to coordinate to ensure 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 this context, Counselor Needham reiterated the United States’ commitment to the Japan-U.S. Alliance and to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
- The two sides also exchanged views on the regional affairs in the Indo-Pacific and affirmed that Japan and the United States will work closely together toward the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.