Press Releases
Japan-Belgium Vice Ministers’ Meeting
November 4, 2026
On November 4, Mr. FUNAKOSHI Takehiro, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting in Tokyo with Ms. Theodora Gentzis, Secretary-General and President of the Board of Directors of the Federal Public Service (FPS), Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of Belgium.
- Vice-Minister FUNAKOSHI and Secretary General Gentzis welcomed the further deepening of exchanges between the two countries this year, which marks the 160th anniversary of Japan-Belgium friendship, including the visit to Belgium by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress in June.
- The two sides concurred to strengthen coordination in a wide range of fields, such as security and defense, economy, advanced technology, and economic security, including the resilience of supply chains for critical minerals. Vice-Minister Funakoshi also conveyed Japan's strong concerns regarding the EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) and requested that appropriate action be taken at the EU level.
- The two sides also exchanged views on regional affairs, including the Indo-Pacific, Europe and Ukraine, as well as the Middle East, and confirmed that they will further strengthen their coordination.