Japan, France Officials Confirm Policy Cooperation, Reports Say
WinkelmannA senior Japanese national security official confirmed with a French foreign policy adviser that both nations would cooperate toward realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific, ahead of Emmanuel Macron's visit to China, according to Japanese media reports.
A senior Japanese national security official confirmed with a French foreign policy adviser that both nations would cooperate toward realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific, ahead of Emmanuel Macron's visit to China, according to Japanese media reports.
Keiichi Ichikawa, Japan's secretary general of national security, held a telephone conversation with Macron's diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonne on Tuesday, Kyodo News and the Sankei newspaper reported Wednesday. The two officials also agreed to strengthen bilateral security cooperation, the reports said.
Japanese government officials didn't clarify whether the Taiwan issue was discussed during the call, according to the reports.
The call took place after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said to Bonne during a Nov. 27 telephone call that the two sides needed to support each other, condemning Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's "provocative remarks" on Taiwan.
Macron is set to start his three-day visit to China on Wednesday as Beijing tries to seek support from France, one of five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, in its ongoing dispute with Tokyo.
