THE FOREIGN SECRETARY MEETS WITH JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER FUMIO KISHIDA

Foreign Secretary Meade met today with the Foreign Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, to discuss President Peña Nieto’s recent official working visit to Japan and the current state of the bilateral relationship.

They stressed the importance of strengthening the economic relationship through trade and investment, and they agreed on the importance of taking advantage of the Mexico-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, which has led to about a 60% increase in bilateral trade.

Both officials stressed the importance of the commemorative program marking the 400th anniversary of the Hasekura Mission, which seeks to strengthen the bilateral ties and mutual understanding at all levels and sectors of Mexican and Japanese society.

At the regional level, Foreign Secretary Meade reiterated Mexico’s interest in participating actively in the economy of the Asia-Pacific region, for which Japan is a strategic partner.

Lastly, at the multilateral level, they talked about Mexico and Japan’s cooperation within the United Nations, as well as other global issues such as climate change, human security, disarmament and non-proliferation, among others.