Japan’s new Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa is set to lead discussions at the United Nations (UN) in New York. Her visit coincides with the UN General Assembly meeting and marks her first foray into international diplomacy since taking office.
Kamikawa, serving as the chair of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialised nations, faces a significant challenge during her visit. The agenda includes pressing issues like Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, relations with China, and the North Korean situation.
“At the helm of the G7, Japan bears a weighty responsibility in guiding the global community,” Kamikawa stated during a press conference held last Friday. “I aim to showcase Japan’s prominent role on the international stage and foster trust-based relationships with our global counterparts.”
When fielding questions from the press, Kamikawa diligently referred to notes prepared by the Foreign Ministry, a practice suggested by her predecessor, former Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, who emphasised the paramount importance of precise diplomatic language.
Kamikawa boasts an impressive international background, having graduated from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and having served on the policy planning staff of a US senator. She has also held the position of justice minister three times, indicating her extensive experience in cabinet roles. Nonetheless, her diplomatic prowess remains untested.
During her visit to the United States, Kamikawa is slated for numerous multilateral and bilateral meetings, including the G7 foreign ministers’ gathering, which she will preside over on the first day of her arrival. Additionally, a meeting of the foreign ministers from the Quad alliance—comprising Japan, the United States, Australia, and India—is on her agenda.
Notably, Hayashi, who chaired the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting on four occasions, including virtual sessions, meticulously prepared by visiting Ukraine on September 9.
Kamikawa’s diplomatic debut unfolds during the UN General Assembly High-level Week, an event likened by a senior ministry official to pitching at Yankee Stadium in Major League Baseball. Undoubtedly, the stakes are high.
In a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday night, Kamikawa, a notable Beatles fan, broke the ice by introducing herself as Yoko, a name shared with Yoko Ono. The two diplomats agreed to address each other informally as “Tony” and “Yoko.”
