FOREIGN MINISTER KAMIKAWA: (Via interpreter) Secretary Blinken, today I am very pleased to see you today. Last week we just had a phone call right after I had been appointed foreign minister. And today, although our time is limited, we would like to discuss the issues, various issues that Japan and U.S. are facing.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, Madam Minister Yoko, it’s wonderful to see you so soon after our phone call. I want to again congratulate you on assuming this position. I am so pleased to be a colleague of yours now, and we do have a tremendous amount of work to do together that I think is reflective of the fact that the partnership between Japan and the United States has never been stronger, has never been more consequential, and it’s something that we take deep appreciation in and I’m looking forward to the many things we have to work on together.