Keeping China in mind as it strengthens its maritime expansion, a foreign ministers' meeting on a new framework was held by the five countries of Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand to strengthen cooperation with the island nations of the Pacific Ocean. We confirmed that we will continue to cooperate in principle.
The Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the five countries was held on the morning of the 23rd Japan time in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly in New York, inviting representatives of Pacific island countries such as Fiji, Palau, and the Solomon Islands.
At the meeting, Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayashi explained Japan's efforts to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific, and expressed Japan's intention to support island countries in areas such as climate change countermeasures.
At the meeting, it was confirmed that cooperation would be promoted while maintaining close dialogue with the island countries under common principles such as ensuring regionalism and transparency.
Concerning island countries in the Pacific, China is showing moves to strengthen its influence, such as signing a security agreement with the Solomon Islands.
After the meeting, Minister Hayashi told reporters, "We are closely watching various developments in the Pacific island countries, and we will strengthen cooperation in a way that supports the efforts of the island countries themselves. Japan's strengths. I would like to advance cooperation that makes the most of it."