Highlighting JAPAN

Japan-New Zealand Summit Meeting

On September 19, 2019, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Summit meeting with Rt. Hon. Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, who is paying an official working visit to Japan. The two leaders issued a Joint Statement.

At the outset, Prime Minister Abe said that he welcomes the visit of the Prime Minister of New Zealand, winner of the past two World Cups, in the eve of the Rugby World Cup 2019. Prime Minister Abe also said that Japan and New Zealand are strategic cooperative partners founded on common values and would like to elevate the bilateral relationship to greater heights and cooperate with New Zealand toward a free and open Indo-Pacific taking advantage of this visit.

With regard to bilateral relations, Prime Minister Abe said that he would like to promote concrete security and defense cooperation including joint exercise, cooperation on Pacific Island countries and high-level exchanges between Japan and New Zealand. Prime Minister Abe also said that he welcomes steady progress in the economic relationship in recent years and the extension of access to eGate for Japanese nationals at airports in New Zealand. Prime Minister Ardern expressed her pleasure of visiting Japan this time and appreciated Japan’s hospitality (Omotenashi) extended to her. Referring to very active high-level mutual visits, Prime Minister Ardern said that she would like to further develop the bilateral relationship together with Prime Minister Abe.

The two leaders shared the view that the two countries will commence a joint study toward negotiations for an agreement on security information sharing. Furthermore, the two leaders discussed cooperation in the economic field including hydrogen and agriculture, cooperation in areas such as cyber space and expansion of sport exchanges and people-to-people exchanges.

As for the Pacific Island region, Prime Minister Abe said that Japan intends to materialize the partnership between the two countries in achieving a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” in coordination with New Zealand’s ‘Pacific Reset’ policy on the Pacific. The two leaders shared the view that they will strengthen bilateral cooperation in this regard.

With regard to North Korean issues, the two leaders confirmed their cooperation toward realizing the complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges and shared the view on the importance of full implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. In addition, Prime Minister Abe said that he hopes for New Zealand’s continued understanding and cooperation toward an early resolution of the abductions issue and Prime Minister Ardern expressed her support.

The two leaders also exchanged views regarding other regional situations including the East and South China Seas.

The two leaders also discussed international economic order and shared the view that the two countries will lead the international community and cooperate toward steady implementation and expansion of the TPP 11, conclusion of high-quality RCEP within this year, WTO reform and other issues.

The two leaders also exchanged respective views on the whaling issues.