The Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

It was with great pleasure that I welcomed Mr Fumio Kishida to London today. Japan is one of our closest partners and allies in Asia.

We discussed a wide range of important foreign policy issues, including the situation in North Korea and Iran’s continued failure to engage seriously with the E3+3 during the recent talks in Almaty. We also covered bilateral issues important to both our countries: our commitment to strengthening further our trade and investment links. In particular we look to reinforce further our defence and civil nuclear cooperation. We also welcome the fact that negotiations on the EU – Japan Economic Partnership Agreement will begin soon.

Finally, I want to thank Foreign Minister Kishida for his support for the prevention of sexual violence initiative which we are taking forward at G8.

Further Information

Find out more about the G8 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Read more about the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative