Countries & Regions

Foreign Minister Kishida's Visit to New Zealand

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, made an official visit to Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, 9. The overview of his visit is as follows.

1. Schedule of visit (June 9)

   • Foreign ministers’ meeting with Hon. Murray McCully,
     Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand
   • Joint foreign ministers’ press conference
   • Working lunch with Hon. Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand
   • Courtesy call on the Rt Hon. John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand
   • Meeting with Hon. Tim Groser, Minister of Trade of New Zealand

2. Overall assessment

   • The two sides affirmed their commitment to elevate bilateral relations to the level of “strategic cooperative partnership” sharing views on regional strategic environment and common vision, and they issued the “Auckland Statement.”
   • As the strategic environment changes in the region, the two sides affirmed that they would cooperate with the aim of establishing stable order based on the rule of law, and to strengthen dialogues and cooperation in various fields.
   • The two sides affirmed that they would strengthen cooperation in the Pacific Islands region.
   • The two sides affirmed that they would cooperate closely to establish comprehensive and high-quality economic rules in the Asia-Pacific region through the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.
   • Japan made clear high importance it places on New Zealand, as a friendly nation of Japan, through people-to people exchanges including high level political figures and policy consultations.

3. Overview of main events

   (1) Japan-New Zealand foreign ministers’ meeting

   Japan-New Zealand foreign ministers’ meeting was held in Auckland on June 9 for about an hour from 10:30 a.m., followed by the release of the “Auckland Statement” at the joint foreign ministers’ press conference. After the press conference, foreign ministers of both countries held a working lunch for about 90 minutes from 12:30 p.m.

   • Minister Kishida stated that he intended to take advantage of his visit to the opportunity to share views on regional strategic environment and common vision with New Zealand and to elevate the bilateral relations to the level of “strategic cooperative partnership.” The two foreign ministers agreed to this end.
   • Minister Kishida stated that the main area of concerns for the families of the Japanese victims of the Christchurch earthquake in 2011 lies in the establishment of legal responsibilities in regard to the collapse of the CTV building, and requested continued provision of information. Minister Kishida commented that he would like the two sides to deepen their cooperation in such fields as disaster mitigation and recovery, and geothermal power generation, so that the two countries can contribute to stability in the region through their experiences from the earthquakes. Minister McCully expressed his approval in this regard.
   • Minister Kishida stated that New Zealand is a major player in the TPP negotiations, and expressed his readiness to cooperate with New Zealand in the negotiations. Minister McCully expressed his approval in this regard.
   • Minister Kishida explained Japan’s position on the joint statement on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons, and requested New Zealand’s cooperation. Minister McCully expressed his approval in this regard.
   • Minister Kishida stated that the two sides share the strategic interests on the stability and prosperity in the Pacific Islands region, and that Japan would like to cooperate with New Zealand towards the development of this region. The two ministers shared the view in this regard.
   • The two ministers exchanged views on the regional and international situation, shared strategic perceptions, and confirmed their cooperation in this regard. The two ministers also shared the view to enhance cooperation through people-to-people exchanges including high level political figures and sports exchanges.

   (2) Courtesy call on Prime Minister John Key

   Minister Kishida paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Key on June 9 for about 30 minutes from 2:30 p.m., during which Minister Kishida stated that the two countries are important partners sharing basic values, have developed wide-ranging, profound, and extremely friendly relations, and Japan would make efforts to have be frequent visits and interactions between the two countries at various levels. Prime Minister Key expressed his approval in this regard. Minister Kishida and Prime Minister Key also exchanged views, including on the situation in the Asia-Pacific region.

   (3) Meeting with Tim Groser, Minister of Trade and Minister Responsible for International Climate Change Negotiations

   The meeting with Minister Groser was held on June 9, for about 45 minutes from 3:30 p.m.. Minister Kishida stated that New Zealand is a key player in the TPP negotiations, and that Japan intends to cooperate with New Zealand in the negotiations. Minister Groser responded by expressing his approval regarding cooperation between the two countries. Minister Kishida and Minister Groser also exchanged opinions on the climate change related issues.