Kamikawa Leads G7 Discussions on Indo-Pacific Security, Concerned Over Diminished Attention to China, North Korea After Chair Transition

By Ayaka Kudo / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer

16:45 JST, April 20, 2024

CAPRI, Italy – Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, who was participating in the Group of Seven foreign ministers’ meetings that concluded on Friday, focused on preserving unity and concern among G7 allies regarding security in the Indo-Pacific. The driving force behind Kamikawa’s stance was Japan’s concern that, as the G7 chairmanship has moved from Japan to Italy this year, the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine may overshadow issues involving China and North Korea.

“Security in Europe and the Atlantic is indivisible from that in Asia,” Kamikawa stressed during a discussion on Friday about the situation in the Indo-Pacific. Japan intends to convey the message that allowing China to attempt to unilaterally change the status quo could have repercussions for Europe as well, she emphasized.

“We have realigned our understanding of China within the G7,” Kamikawa told reporters after the meetings closed.

Kamikawa also led discussions on North Korea during the meetings, resulting in ministers recognizing that the G7 needs to work together more closely than ever and show a resolute stance towards Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile development.

Kamikawa also spoke individually with Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and her British counterpart, David Cameron, among others, about strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and elicited a comment from Stoltenberg acknowledging that what happens in Asia matters to Europe.