TOKYO, Oct. 30 -- Prime Minister and His Cabinet issued the following information:
(On what stance Prime Minister Takaichi will take at the APEC meeting as she departs for the Republic of Korea to attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting; on whether bilateral meetings are planned with the Republic of Korea, the APEC chair, and with China; and on what outcomes she hopes to achieve through this series of diplomatic engagements, with the ASEAN-related summits, President Trump's visit to Japan, and now APEC bringing this diplomatic week to a close.)
I am now departing for the Republic of Korea to attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.
As you are aware, APEC is an economic cooperation framework in which 21 economies in the Asia-Pacific region participate, representing approximately 40% of the world's population, 50% of global trade, and 60% of global GDP. This time, in addition to issues such as trade and investment, we are also expected to discuss emerging challenges such as AI and demographic change. Therefore, in addition to presenting Japan's positions at the meeting, I intend to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the region's robust economic development and prosperity.
In addition, I would like to take this opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with other APEC leaders, including the Republic of Korea as the APEC chair, and to build relationships of trust at the leaders' level. Upon arriving in the Republic of Korea, I will first hold a Japan-ROK summit meeting with President LEE Jae Myung, the APEC chair. This will be my first Japan-ROK summit meeting since taking office. I intend to make it a meaningful meeting. In addition, arrangements are currently underway for a Japan-China summit meeting.
This week has been filled with diplomatic engagements, beginning with ASEAN, followed by President Trump's visit to Japan, and now the APEC meeting. These have been excellent opportunities to meet directly with leaders of partners that are important for Japan in the Indo-Pacific region. I will continue to meet with other leaders in the coming days. At the ASEAN-related summit meetings, we confirmed that we will further strengthen cooperation with ASEAN countries and other like-minded partners, which are a central pillar of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). With President Trump, we also confirmed that we will elevate the Japan-U.S. Alliance to new heights. At APEC as well, I intend to build relationships of cooperation and trust with key leaders to advance peace, stability, as well as prosperity in the region. Thank you. I am now departing.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
