The two countries’ officials, who met on Thursday evening, highlighted the close and solid relations that unite them after 70 years of diplomatic ties, as well as the commitment to work together for an open, inclusive, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, as they said in a press briefing.

The two sides signed a joint statement outlining plans for cooperation in cybersecurity, economic security and defense, among them the start of formal talks toward an information-sharing agreement and the practice of coordinated military exercises.

The document also mentions the close collaboration to manage the Covid-19 pandemic, natural disasters and climate change as the greatest threat to the security and welfare of the Pacific peoples.

Kishida and Ardern agreed to strengthen ties in the space, technology development, renewable energy, food and agriculture sectors.

This is Ardern’s first official visit to Japan in two years, following the closure measures implemented by the Wellington Government to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and its variants.

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