Foreign Minister Okada (L) with Foreign Secretary Hague

British Foreign Secretary, Mr. William Hague visited Japan on 15th and 16th July. Mr. Hague met with Prime Minister Naoto Kan, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, Economic and Industry Minister Masayuki Naoshima and Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa.

After the meeting between Mr. Hague and Mr. Okada, they held a joint press conference. They both stressed the shared values between Japan and the UK, which led them to agree that our two countries would work towards a new UK-Japan joint statement to be issued by the Prime Ministers when they meet. Mr. Okada commented that this joint statement would refer to the issues to be prioritised between our two countries, including those on the shared values, economic prosperity and security. Mr. Okada also appreciated Mr. Hague¡Çs strong support toward a Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement and Japan¡Çs permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

Mr. Hague commented that, on many key issues, including those on Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan and disarmament and non-proliferation, the United Kingdom and Japan agree almost instinctively. His commitment to and enthusiasm on UK-Japan relationship are very clearly spelled out in his first overseas speech as Foreign Secretary (link provided below), which makes one convinced that we can do a lot more, a lot better, together.

More on Japan-UK Bilateral relationship

More on Mr. Hague visit to Japan:

• UK-Japan Foreign Ministers Meeting
  
  
• Mr. Hague¡Çs courtesy call on Prime Minister Kan
  
  
• Mr. Hague¡Çs Speech in Tokyo