Japan-Brunei Relations
Japan-Brunei Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
November 7, 2017
Japan-Brunei Foreign Ministers’ Meeting1
Japan-Brunei Foreign Ministers’ Meeting2
On November 7, commencing at 5:40 p.m. (local time) for approximately 25 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a foreign ministers’ meeting with Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister at Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam, in Da Nang, Viet Nam, where Minister Kono is attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1 Bilateral relations
Minister Kono welcomed the recent increase in high-level bilateral visits, expressed congratulations on the 50th anniversary of the accession to the throne of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei this year, and explained that he intends to further strengthen bilateral relations. Additionally, Minister Kono stated that he hopes to cooperate on Brunei’s economic diversification, and, based on the cooperative relationship that Japan has been building thus far with Brunei, which serves as the coordinating country for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with Japan, he intends to cooperate further toward the success of ASEAN-related Summit Meetings.
In response, Minister Lim stated that he is very happy that Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan signed a congratulatory book on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the accession to the throne of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Minister Lim explained that he intends to further strengthen the bilateral relationship with Japan, including through cooperating to diversify Brunei’s economy.
In response, Minister Lim stated that he is very happy that Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan signed a congratulatory book on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the accession to the throne of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Minister Lim explained that he intends to further strengthen the bilateral relationship with Japan, including through cooperating to diversify Brunei’s economy.
2 Regional affairs
The two ministers exchanged views on regional affairs, including North Korea and the South China Sea, and shared the view that they will coordinate closely. In particular, with regard to North Korea, they shared the view that it is necessary to intensify pressure on North Korea, and shared recognition of the importance of promptly resolving the abductions issue.