The following is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayashi Yoshimasa on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Hayashi discussed their enduring support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as Ukraine defends itself against Russia’s war of aggression. The Secretary reaffirmed the vital importance of the G7 and the ironclad U.S.-Japan Alliance in promoting peace, security, and prosperity globally. Secretary Blinken congratulated Foreign Minister Hayashi for the recent progress on Japan-ROK bilateral relations, and they both emphasized the importance of U.S.-Japan-ROK trilateral cooperation to maintain a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The Secretary also congratulated the Foreign Minister on Japan’s G7 Presidency and is looking forward to the G7 Leaders Summit in Hiroshima.