Press Releases

Exchange of Views between Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs FUNAKOSHI and the U.S. Ambassadors

October 9, 2026
Japanese

On October 9, Mr. FUNAKOSHI Takehiro, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held an exchange of views on topics including Japan-U.S. relations with U.S. ambassadors stationed in various countries and U.S. government officials.

  1. At the outset, Vice-Minister FUNAKOSHI stated that as the security environment in the Indo-Pacific becomes increasingly severe, U.S. engagement in the region is becoming ever more important for working together toward realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), and that under these circumstances, Japan intends to elevate the Japan-U.S. relationship to further heights.
  2. In response, the U.S. participants also reaffirmed the importance of the U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and the Japan-U.S. Alliance. Furthermore, the participants held a candid exchange of views on various issues including international situations.

(Reference) U.S. Participants

  • the Honorable George Glass, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Japan
  • the Honorable Daniel Holler, Counselor of the Department of State
  • the Honorable Allison Hooker, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs
  • the Honorable David Perdue, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to China
  • the Honorable Sean O'Neill, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Thailand
  • the Honorable Lee Lipton, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Philippines
  • the Honorable Jared Novelly, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to New Zealand
  • the Honorable Jennifer Wicks, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Vietnam
  • the Honorable Michelle Steel, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Korea
  • the Honorable David Brat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Australia

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