US-Japan Foreign Ministers Phone Call: Discuss Indo-Pacific Initiative and North Korea Situation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a phone call on the 7th to discuss the situations in North Korea and China.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Motegi and Secretary Blinken spoke by phone for 15 minutes starting at 11:40 a.m. (Korean time) that day.

This was the first phone call between the U.S. and Japanese foreign ministers since the inauguration of the Kishida Fumio Cabinet on the 4th.

Secretary Blinken congratulated Foreign Minister Motegi on his reappointment, and Motegi responded that there was no change in the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance under the Kishida Cabinet.

The two ministers confirmed their continued cooperation to further strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance and realize a "free and open Indo-Pacific."

The free and open Indo-Pacific initiative, led by the U.S. and Japan, is a plan to check China's efforts to expand its influence in nearby areas such as the South China Sea.

The two ministers also exchanged views on regional situations including North Korea and China, as well as cooperation related to climate change, according to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

NHK reported that this phone call between the U.S. and Japanese foreign ministers was made at the request of the U.S. side.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.