Kishida receives Blinken, asserts strength of alliance

Tokyo, Apr 18 (EFE).- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday received the United States’ Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Tokyo, reaffirming his wish to further strengthen the existing alliance between the two countries.

Blinken headed to the Japanese capital after the end of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in the Japanese city of Karuizawa, about 175 kms northwest of Tokyo, to pay a courtesy call on Kishida.

The two discussed the developments at the G7 summit along with issues of bilateral interest.

Kishida and Blinken were together for around 25 minutes during which the Japanese prime minister told the US top diplomat that he was satisfied by the “active discussions” held during the ministerial meet, according to a statement released by the Japanese foreign ministry.

Blinken expressed his desire to further boost coordination between Japan and the US, the statement added.

The G7 foreign ministers, along with the foreign policy representative of the European Union, issued a joint declaration carrying a message of support for Ukraine in the conflict with Russia, along with warnings to China against its expansionist overtures in the Asia-Pacific and military drills near Taiwan.

The text, spread over more than 20 pages, also referred to other issues such as North Korea’s weapons program – calling for more sanctions against Pyongyang – the clashes between the Sudanese military and paramilitary groups, Iran’s nuclear program and the situation in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime.

Discussing bilateral issues, Kishida and Blinken exchanged views over bilateral ties between Tokyo and Washington, including security cooperation (…) and economic ties, the foreign ministry statement said.

“Secretary Blinken expressed his continued commitment to further strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-US Alliance, and further deepening the Japan-US economic relationship,” it added. EFE

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