Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi during the APEC meeting. According to Spokesperson Matthew Miller, the discussions emphasized the significance of the U.S.-Japan Alliance as a key factor for security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting its evolution into a global partnership.

Both leaders condemned North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on October 31 and addressed concerns over the deployment of DPRK troops to Russia. They stressed the need to further institutionalize trilateral cooperation between the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, as well as to advance collaborations through platforms such as the G7, Quad, and U.S.-Japan-Philippines trilateral efforts. These initiatives aim to foster peace, prosperity, and security in both the Indo-Pacific region and globally.

Secretary Blinken reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. He emphasized that the United States opposes any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo in Indo-Pacific waters. Additionally, both officials reaffirmed their commitment to aligning economic and technology strategies between their nations.