Kamikawa leads G7 talks on security in the Indo-Pacific region, concerned about reduced focus on China and North Korea after chairman transition

CAPRI, Italy – Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, who participated in the Group of Seven foreign ministers’ meetings that concluded Friday, focused on maintaining unity and concerns among G7 allies regarding security in the Indo-Pacific. The driving force behind Kamikawa’s position was Japanese concern that, with the G7 presidency moving from Japan to Italy this year, the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine could overshadow the issues surrounding China and North Korea.

“Security in Europe and the Atlantic is inextricably linked to that in Asia,” Kamikawa emphasized during a discussion on the situation in the Indo-Pacific on Friday. Japan plans to convey the message that allowing China to unilaterally change the status quo could also have consequences for Europe, she pointed out.

“We have realigned our understanding of China within the G7,” Kamikawa told reporters after the meetings.

Kamikawa also led discussions on North Korea during the meetings, leading ministers to recognize the need for the G7 to work closer than ever and take a firm stance on Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile development.

Kamikawa also spoke individually with, among others, Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and her British counterpart, David Cameron, about strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and elicited a comment from Stoltenberg in which he acknowledged that what happening in Asia is important for Europe.