With 165 years of robust bilateral ties between them, France and Japan have enjoyed a very strong and progressive connection for centuries. This relationship is one founded on and fostered through shared values, strategic partnerships and vibrant cultural exchange.
The two nations hold each other in deep regard and look to one another as important partners and key stakeholders in their regions, as well as in the international community.
“Japan-France bilateral ties have steadily deepened,” H.E. Makita Shimokawa, ambassador of Japan to France, noted. After assuming his post in December 2022, the ambassador has witnessed this steady deepening of the amiable affiliation over the course of just seven months.
“Japan and France began 2023 with Prime Minister (Fumio) Kishida’s visit to France, and the opening of the Consular Office of Japan in Noumea. Our close partnership has advanced on various fronts,” Shimokawa pointed out.
Relations between the nations have grown surely and steadily in recent years, as evidenced by their close dealings and reciprocities. As members of the Group of Seven industrialized nations and the Group of 20, Japan and France have worked side by side to address major global issues, continuously collaborating on achieving peace and security on both a regional and a global level, securing international financial stability, mitigating climate change, and eking out paths toward sustainable development.
Shimokawa also noted some recently achieved milestones by France and Japan.
“May 2023 was marked by the seventh Japan-France Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting, and the Japan-France bilateral summit meeting during the G7 Hiroshima summit. The two countries signed a joint statement on nuclear energy cooperation, and have been carrying out joint exercises on a regular basis, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. And we also cannot forget France’s valuable assistance in the evacuation of Japanese citizens from Sudan,” he said.
Japan’s role as current host of the G7 will only serve to propel the partnership to new heights.
“In 2023, Japan has assumed the G7 presidency and also serves as a nonpermanent member of the U.N. Security Council. I am convinced that Japan and France will continue to dynamically reinforce our ‘exceptional partnership’ in the future.”
