The APEC = Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference ministerial meeting was held in Bangkok, Thailand's capital, on the 17th, and the focus is on whether a ministerial statement can be compiled as the conflict between Russia, Japan, the United States, etc. continues following the invasion of Ukraine.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayashi and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura will attend the APEC Ministerial Meeting, which is attended by 21 countries and regions surrounding the Pacific Ocean.
It will be the first face-to-face meeting in four years, and it is expected to discuss sustainable economic growth in the region as well as free and open trade and investment facilitation, with an eye on the post-corona era.
Japan's policy is to criticize Russia, saying that peace and stability are essential for growth in the region, and to call for strengthening supply chains for energy and food.
Amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, APEC ministerial meetings have so far failed to produce open ministerial statements in areas such as trade, finance and food security.
On the other hand, the G20 summit, which ended on the 16th, was a summit meeting of 20 major countries, and the summit declaration was adopted.
Prior to the conference, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura told reporters, "We would like to expand a sustainable economy to this region while maintaining an environment of free and fair trade and investment."