Press Releases
Eighth Japan-France Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting ("2+2")
April 1, 2026
On April 1, commencing at 1:30 p.m. for approximately 1 hour, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan held the Eighth Japan-France Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting (“2+2”) with Mr. KOIZUMI Shinjiro, Minister of Defense, as well as H.E. Mr. Jean-Noël BARROT, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, and H.E. Ms. Catherine VAUTRIN, Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs of the French Republic.
- At the outset, the Japanese side welcomed the visit of the two French ministers and expressed great pleasure at being able to hold the Japan-France “2+2” meeting—the first in-person session in seven years and the first in three years. The Japanese side further emphasized that, as the security environment surrounding the international community is changing at an accelerating pace across various fields, it is essential to further strengthen cooperation between Japan and France—as like-minded nations—in both diplomatic and defense spheres.
- In response, the French side stated that while they are maintaining close communication with Japan within the framework of the G7, which France currently chairs, they look forward to further strengthening their relationship through this Japan-France “2+2” meeting. They emphasized the importance of their relationship with Japan as an “Exceptional Partner” and expressed their intention to continue working to strengthen cooperation in the future.
- The Japanese side provided an explanation regarding the revision of the three documents including the National Security Strategy, the review of the defense equipment transfer framework, and initiatives related to the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).” The French side welcomed these developments and reaffirmed France’s strong commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.
- The Japanese and French ministers welcomed that defense cooperation between the two countries is deepening through the steady implementation of joint exercises and the port calls of French military assets in Japan. They also touched on cooperation in the space sector, including the dispatch of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force liaison officer to the French Space Command and the Japan-France Comprehensive Dialogue on Space, and exchanged views on cooperation in areas such as cybersecurity, Japan’s relations with NATO and the EU, and nuclear disarmament.
- (1) Japan and France discussed international challenges such as the situation in the Indo-Pacific—including issues relating to China, their policies toward North Korea, including on the nuclear and missile issues, and the abductions issue—as well as the situation in Ukraine, and concurred to continue working closely together.
(2) Regarding the situation in the Middle East, the two sides affirmed the importance of ensuring the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and committed to continue communication toward the early de-escalation of the situation.