Japan-Thailand Summit Meeting (Summary)

On November 15, commencing at 3:00 p.m. local time for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, who was visiting San Francisco in the United States to attend the APEC Summit, held a Summit Meeting with H.E. Mr. Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Kingdom of Thailand. The summary of the Summit Meeting is as follows.

1. Introduction
   Prime Minister Kishida congratulated Prime Minister Srettha for taking office and expressed his desire to work with Prime Minister Srettha to further develop the bilateral relationship between the two countries, which has become a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” and to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law. Prime Minister Kishida also expressed hope that he and other leaders will jointly set out a direction of future Japan-ASEAN relations and a new vision of cooperation at the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation next month. In response, Prime Minister Srettha stated that he was honored to meet with Prime Minister Kishida and that Japan and Thailand have been cooperating at various levels for many years. Prime Minister Srettha also expressed his desire to work with Prime Minister Kishida to further develop cooperation with Japan in the future.
2. Bilateral relations
   Prime Minister Kishida expressed his desire to work with Thailand in improving business environment in Thailand, which is an important base for Japanese companies in Southeast Asia, and promoting cooperation in the concept of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), as well as cooperation on the security front and regional cooperation. In response, Prime Minister Srettha expressed his desire to cooperate in various areas including the energy sector and the automotive industry. He stated that he attaches importance to investment from Japan and expressed his desire to promote more active investment between the two countries.
3. Reginal and international affairs
   Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan is paying close attention to the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine with deep concern and expressed his condolences to the people of Thailand who were killed and injured. Prime Minister Kishida unequivocally condemned the recent terror attacks and stated that Japan is concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and strongly hopes that the situation will calm down as soon as possible. In response, Prime Minister Srettha expressed his appreciation for the condolences and his desire to continue to work with related countries.

In addition, the two leaders exchanged views on regional and international affairs such as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the East and South China Seas, North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issues and the abduction issue, and the situation in Myanmar.