Japan, U.K. foreign chiefs confirm cooperation

CAPRI, Italy — Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa held talks with her British counterpart David Cameron in Italy on April 18, confirming the policy of deepening cooperation in the security field, including the joint development of a next-generation fighter jet by Japan, Britain and Italy.

In the bilateral meeting held on the island of Capri on the sidelines of the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Group of Seven nations, Kamikawa said that she was “encouraged by the importance that the U.K. attaches to the Indo-Pacific region.” The two top diplomats agreed on the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two countries over the situations in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Kamikawa also held talks later on April 18 with Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, underscoring the importance of promoting cooperation with NATO.

“The security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions are inseparable,” Kamikawa said.

In the meeting, Stoltenberg also confirmed the importance of the ties, saying that what happens in Asia matters for Europe.

KAMIKAWA LEADS ON INDO-PACIFIC

Kamikawa focused on preserving unity and concern among G7 allies regarding security in the Indo-Pacific. The driving force behind Kamikawa’s stance was Japan’s concern that, as the G7 chairmanship has moved from Japan to Italy this year, the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine may overshadow issues involving China and North Korea.

“Security in Europe and the Atlantic is indivisible from that in Asia,” Kamikawa stressed during a discussion on April 19 about the situation in the Indo-Pacific. Japan intends to convey the message that allowing China to attempt to unilaterally change the status quo could have repercussions for Europe as well, she emphasized.

“We have realigned our understanding of China within the G7,” Kamikawa told reporters after the meetings closed.

Kamikawa also led discussions on North Korea during the meetings, resulting in ministers recognizing that the G7 needs to work together more closely than ever and show a resolute stance toward Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile development.

Kamikawa also spoke individually with Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and her British counterpart, David Cameron, among others, about strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and elicited a comment from Stoltenberg acknowledging that what happens in Asia matters to Europe.