November 7, 2023
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and discussed a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues, including the need to increase humanitarian assistance to Gaza and the importance of strong and sustained support for Ukraine. The Secretary thanked Foreign Minister Kamikawa for denouncing Hamas’ attacks on Israel and offering condolences for the American citizens who lost their lives. They also discussed continuing positive momentum on U.S.-Japan-ROK trilateral cooperation following the Camp David Summit in August. Secretary Blinken applauded Foreign Minister Kamikawa and her team for organizing the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting.
The Secretary reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of Japan.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko Before Their Meeting
FOREIGN MINISTER KAMIKAWA: (Via interpreter) Tony, please let me begin by extending my heartfelt welcome on your visit to Japan. First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt condolences to the victims, including U.S. citizens, of the recent terrorist attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, and express my sympathies to the grieving families. We also hope for the earliest possible release of the hostages, which includes U.S. citizens. Japan unequivocally condemns such actions that have caused this. We appreciate the diplomatic efforts by the U.S. on the recent situation in Israel and Palestine. You have our utmost support.
Beyond this issue, the international community is facing various challenges, including the situation in Ukraine, East Asia, among others. The solid unity between Japan and the U.S. is especially critical at this time. Tony, I very much look forward to having thorough discussions with you today.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Yoko, thank you so much. First, it’s always wonderful to be back in Japan, and this is a critically important time. We’re so grateful for Japan’s leadership of the G7, especially in this moment. The agenda that Japan has set for the G7, including enduring support for Ukraine, the work that we’re doing together to combat economic coercion, our engagement and support for countries around the world as they tackle issues of great importance to their own people as well as to ours, from climate change to global health to food security, and, of course, the work that we’re doing together in terms of trilateral cooperation with the Republic of Korea – all of these are vital, and we applaud Japan’s leadership.
And, of course, I very much appreciate the words of support and sympathy in the wake of the horrific attack by Hamas that did result, as you noted, in American victims as well as American hostages. This is a very important moment as well for the G7 to come together in the face of this crisis and to speak, as we do, with one clear voice. I look forward as you do to our discussions, and again, my thanks and appreciation to you personally and to Japan for bringing us together.