September 2020

Japan-Australia Summit Telephone Talk and Japan-U.S. Summit Telephone Talk

On September 20, 2020, Mr. Suga Yoshihide, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit telephone talk with the Hon. Scott Morrison, MP, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America. The overview of the talks is as follows.

Japan-Australia Summit Telephone Talk

Prime Minister Morrison conveyed his congratulations and his desire to establish a good relation with Prime Minister Suga. In return, Prime Minister Suga thanked Prime Minister Morrison and stated his willingness to build a good relationship with Prime Minister Morrison like his predecessor did with a deep trust, and to strengthen the Japan-Australia relationship.

The leaders confirmed that, as “Special Strategic Partners,” they would further develop their complementary economic relationship. Looking ahead to suppression of COVID-19, the leaders also confirmed the importance of realizing the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” deepening their cooperation for the stability and prosperity of the international community as a whole, and collaborating with like-minded countries in the region. In addition, Prime Minister Suga requested Australia’s continued cooperation in early resolution of the North Korean abductions issue.

Prime Minister Morrison expressed his gratitude for the devoted and brave search and rescue operation to date by Japan Coast Guard in the case of missing livestock cargo ship “Gulf Livestock 1” which had two Australians aboard. Prime Minister Suga replied that Japan would cooperate as much as possible.

Japan-U.S. Summit Telephone Talk

At the outset, Prime Minister Suga emphasized to President Trump that the Japan-U.S. alliance is the cornerstone of peace and stability in the region and the international community, and that alongside President Trump, he would like to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance, which has been made stronger than ever before based on the deep personal trust between former Prime Minister Abe and President Trump. In response, President Trump offered his congratulations on Prime Minister Suga’s appointment to office. He fully reaffirmed Prime Minister Suga’s remarks, and expressed his wish to further consolidate the Japan-U.S. relationship with Prime Minister Suga.

After discussing their respective efforts to combat COVID-19, the two leaders agreed to continue Japan-U.S. cooperation in the development and distribution of therapeutics and vaccines for the disease.

In addition, the two leaders shared the view that Japan and the United States would work closely together to address regional issues, including North Korea, and to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific. With particular regard to the abductions issue, Prime Minister Suga expressed his intention to work resolutely towards the early resolution of the abductions issue, and asked for President Trump’s continued full support towards its resolution.

President Trump also stated that Prime Minister Suga could contact him 24 hours a day if needed.