Kishida, Irish leader agree on more Indo-Pacific cooperation

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Irish counterpart Micheal Martin have agreed that their countries will strengthen cooperation to realize a free and open Indo-Paci c.

In a joint statement issued a er their talks July 20 at the Prime Minister’s O ce in Tokyo, the two leaders said they are “seriously concerned” about the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea, an apparent reference to China’s maritime expansion.

ey expressed “strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force and increase tensions,” and stressed “the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”

Kishida and Martin also condemned Russia, which has attacked hospitals, schools and other civilian targets in Ukraine. ey resolved to “impose severe consequences on Russia” by fully implementing economic and nancial sanctions. (July 22)

The Yomiuri Shimbun Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, right, shakes hands with Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) Micheal Martin at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo on July 20.