Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi and U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met in Japan, emphasizing the strong alliance between their nations. During their meeting, Iwaya expressed condolences for the passing of former President Carter and sympathies for victims of a recent incident in New Orleans.
Iwaya stated, "Such acts of violence can never be justified under any circumstances." He highlighted Japan's solidarity with the United States during these challenging times and appreciated Blinken's visit to Japan despite recent events.
Blinken remarked on his multiple visits to Japan over the past four years, stating, "It is a pleasure for me both professionally and personally to be in Japan once again." He emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Japan relationship, noting that it has grown stronger than ever.
The discussions focused on regional affairs and ongoing collaborations. Blinken noted, "We had just yesterday another missile launch by the DPRK among many other things," indicating continued cooperation on security issues.
Both leaders expressed optimism about further strengthening their alliance in various domains including security, economy, and innovation. Blinken concluded by acknowledging the foundational strength of their partnership: "I think the foundational strength of our alliance – security, economically, innovatively, people-to-people – has never been better."
