Press Releases
Japan-U.S. Dialogue on a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)
October 12, 2026
On October 12 in Tokyo, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs NAMAZU Hiroyuki held a Japan-U.S. Dialogue on a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) with Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker.
- Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs NAMAZU explained the updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific, announced by Prime Minister TAKAICHI in May. Both sides compared notes on their approaches to the Indo-Pacific region, and confirmed proactively advancing concrete initiatives together between Japan and the U.S. to enhance resilience and promote their freedom to decide for themselves.
- They concurred that they would further advance coordination among like-minded countries, such as Japan-U.S.-ROK, Japan- Australia-India- U.S., and Japan-U.S.-Philippines. They also exchanged views on the situation surrounding North Korea, and reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea and the immediate resolution of the abductions issue. They once again committed to exchange opinions regularly.
- On this occasion, with regard to the robbery-murder incident that occurred in Okinawa Prefecture, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs NAMAZU reiterated the Japanese government’s position, building on the telephone meeting between Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and the Honorable Marco Rubio, Secretary of State of the United States of America, on October 10. Both sides also confirmed that Japan and the United States would continue to hold consultations.
In addition, regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC), Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs NAMAZU conveyed the Japanese government’s position on the recent U.S. institutional sanctions, and the two ministers agreed to maintain close communication. - Both sides concurred that they would continue to work together to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance amid the severe security environment and to advance Japan-U.S. cooperation across a wide range of areas.