Foreign Minister Hayashi, who visited Palau, an island country in the Pacific Ocean, met with President Whips.
Minister Hayashi expressed concern about the security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, and agreed to strengthen cooperation toward the realization of a "free and open Indo-Pacific."
Minister Hayashi, who visited Palau on the 8th following Fiji on the 7th, strongly condemned Russia's military invasion of Ukraine in a meeting with President Whips and shared basic values as the foundation of the international order shook. He pointed out that the unity of the countries that do so is important.
In addition, Minister Hayashi expressed concern about the security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, saying that it could have a significant impact on the security environment in the region, and President Whips expressed similar recognition.
They agreed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries toward the realization of a "free and open Indo-Pacific".
Minister Hayashi told reporters, "It was a short visit, but we had a very meaningful discussion. We have renewed our awareness of the challenges of the Pacific island nation, so the island nation is sustainable among the United States and other fellow nations. We would like to promote a wide range of concrete cooperation for the development of Japan and work together toward the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific. "