Japanese Foreign Minister Meets with 15 Counterparts; Promotes Expansion of Women’s Role in Stopping Armed Conflict

Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa answers reporters’ questions in New York on Friday.
20:00 JST, September 24, 2023
Before returning to Japan on Saturday from her first overseas tour, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa met individually with her counterparts from 15 countries over just five days. Kamikawa also worked to convey her own policies on the trip, stressing the importance of “women, peace and security,” or WPS, an issue that she has made her life’s work.
Kamikawa will face troublesome diplomatic issues as foreign minister, including Japan’s relationship with China, that will likely continue to test her diplomatic skills.
“I have been able to build a foundation of trust, which is a key element of diplomacy,” Kamikawa told reporters on Friday morning in New York as she ended her first overseas tour since becoming foreign minister. “This will be a significant asset as we proceed with diplomatic activities.”
During her stay in the United States, Kamikawa attended multilateral foreign ministers’ meetings, including one for the Quad nations of Japan, the United States, Australia and India. She also attended a Group of Seven foreign ministers’ meeting in which she compiled a chair nation’s statement, and held separate talks with foreign counterparts.
A senior official of the Foreign Ministry said, “It was a tough schedule, but [Kamikawa] was fortunate to be able to make her debut on a trip to the United Nations, as she could meet with foreign ministers from all over the world on a single occasion.”
WPS is aimed at having women be more involved in efforts to prevent or resolve armed conflicts. Kamikawa formed a league of concerned lawmakers in October last year, and feels pride in her proactive efforts to promote the concept.
Kamikawa reviewed the draft of her address to a related event Thursday morning until the last minute, and emphasized in her remarks that Japan would deepen cooperation with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The host of the event introduced Kamikawa as a truly great leader for the WPS movement.
However, there was no meeting between Kamikawa and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as Wang skipped the General Assembly meeting of the United Nations.
South Korea is said to be aiming to hold a trilateral summit meeting with Japan and China this year, so foreign minister-level negotiations for the plan may be held.
There are many issues to tackle concerning the Japan-China relationship, such as China’s aggressive maritime advancements and its total ban on imports of fisheries products from Japan following the start of the release of treated water from Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc.’s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
Kamikawa will have to achieve a difficult balance between improving ties with Beijing and arguing Japan’s position on such issues.
"Politics" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japan Presses U.S. to Scrap 25% Auto Tariffs as Ishiba Refuses Partial Trade Deal; No Deal Without ‘Total Rollback’
-
LDP to Forgo Compiling Selective Surname Bill During Current Diet Session
-
Japanese Govt on High Alert after Chinese Aircraft Intrusion into Territorial Airspace near Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Pref.
-
Ishiba: Japan-U.S. Tariff Talks Should Produce Desirable Model for Other Countries
-
Japan Wary of ASEAN Members Shifting Away from U.S.; Ishiba Hopes to Limit Spread of China’s Economic Influence
JN ACCESS RANKING
-
Core Inflation in Japan’s Capital Sharply Accelerates in April
-
U.S. Holds Fire Over Yen Exchange Rate Targets; Bessent Said to Understand Negative Impact on Markets
-
Rice Prices Rise for 15th Straight Week, with Releases of Stockpiled Rice Slow to Circulate
-
Social Media Helps Fuel Growing ‘Sex Tourism’ in Japan
-
Japan Must Take Lead in Maintaining Free Trade System, Says Chairman of Japan Trade Group