Japan-Brunei Relations
Japan-Brunei Foreign Minister’s Meeting
July 12, 2023
On July 12, commencing at 7:20 p.m. local time (July 12, 9:20 p.m. Japan Time) for approximately 70 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, visiting Indonesia to attend the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, held a Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with H.E. Mr. Dato Seri Setia Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof, Minister for Foreign Affairs II, Brunei Darussalam. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, while touching upon the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation this year and the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brunei next year, Minister Hayashi expressed his hope to further strengthen cooperation with Brunei toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” and he condemned an ICBM-class ballistic missile launched by North Korea on July 12. In response, Minister II Erywan stated that he would like to build up the amicable relations with Japan, which the two countries long nurtured.
- Minister Hayashi expressed his intention to further enhance cooperation in such areas as energy and climate change including the "Asian Zero Emission Community" concept, and security including defense cooperation. Minister Hayashi also state that it was delightful that Brunei completed the domestic procedures to join the CPTPP, and Japan hopes to cooperate with Brunei in maintaining a free and fair economic order in the region as well as upholding the high standards of the CPTPP. In response, Minister II Erywan expressed his intention to expand bilateral cooperation.
- While exchanging views on the situation in Ukraine, the situation in the East and South China Seas, and the response to North Korea on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, the two ministers confirmed to continue cooperation in tackling these issues.