Japan, Pacific Isles Confirm Security, Climate Cooperation

   Tokyo, Feb. 12 (Jiji Press)--Japan and Pacific island countries and regions confirmed cooperation in the areas of security and climate change in their ministerial talks in Suva, Fiji's capital, on Monday. 

   At the ministerial session of the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, a regional forum, participants including Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa also agreed on the importance of the rule of law amid China's increasingly hegemonic behavior.

   Kamikawa emphasized the importance of maintaining and strengthening the rules-based international order at a joint news conference.

   She added that participants in the ministerial session confirmed their strong opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion.

   The participants also exchanged views on measures to address problems caused by climate change, such as rising sea levels faced by Pacific islands, and on cooperation in the fields of economy and security.

   After the ministerial talks, Kamikawa told reporters that Japan "will implement official development assistance and official security assistance programs in line with the needs of Pacific island countries."

   In the ministerial session, she explained that Japan will continue to release tritium-containing treated water from Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant into the Pacific in line with international safety standards. She also assured that her country will disclose related information.

   Kamikawa told reporters that she feels the understanding of the issue is deepening steadily in many countries.

   In the ministerial talks, participants expressed grave concern over North Korea's ballistic missile launches.

   Japan plans to host a summit of the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting in Tokyo on July 16-18.
END