Rt Hon Winston Peters
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs
MEDIA STATEMENT
20 May 2018
Visit reinforces strength of New Zealand-Japan relationship
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters departs Tokyo this evening following a productive
three-day visit to Japan.
“This visit reaffirmed the strength and significant mutual benefit of the New Zealand Japan relationship,” said Mr
Peters.
“New Zealand and Japan continue to enjoy a strong trade and economic relationship, which will continue to grow following
the conclusion of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement,”
“We have also long enjoyed friendships through cultural and sporting contacts. And we have shared interests on defence
and security, including on issues like North Korea.”
Mr Peters’ programme included participation at the eighth Japan-Pacific Leaders’ (PALM8) Meeting in Iwaki, Fukushima
Prefecture, and a formal meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In Tokyo, Mr Peters met with Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Finance, Taro Aso, and with Foreign Minister Taro Kono.
“My meetings with Japan’s senior political leadership confirmed there is much that New Zealand and Japan can do together
to harness even more value from the relationship”.
“Our shared commitment to the rules-based international system makes Japan an important partner for New Zealand in the
Asia-Pacific” says Mr Peters.
Building on cooperation through the PALM8 process, Mr Peters and Foreign Minister Kono confirmed their strong commitment
to strengthening coordination and cooperation in the Pacific region including development assistance.
Mr Peters also announced that New Zealand would continue a tradition of over 50 years by gifting a white horse to
Tōshōgū Shrine in Nikkō, Japan.