Vice-minister Yoshikawa joins reception for French frigate “Lorraine” in Tokyo

Ms. YOSHIKAWA Yuumi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended a reception held on board the French frigate “Lorraine” during its port call at the Port of Tokyo. The purpose of the event was to commemorate the frigate’s visit and celebrate the strong cooperation between Japan and France.

The reception began with opening remarks by Mr. Xavier Bagot, Captain of the “Lorraine.” Following that, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshikawa expressed her appreciation for the port call and acknowledged the vital role played by the “Lorraine,” a state-of-the-art multi-mission frigate, in the evacuation operation in Sudan. She also extended her gratitude to France for its crucial support and cooperation in evacuating Japanese nationals and others from Sudan.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshikawa emphasized the exceptional partnership between Japan and France, which is based on shared fundamental values. She highlighted the close communication between the two countries through recent high-level dialogues, including the Japan-France Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in April, the Seventh Japan-France Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting (“2+2”), and the Japan-France Summit Meeting held in May.

Regarding security and defense, the Parliamentary Vice-Minister noted that Japan and France, both Indo-Pacific nations, have significantly enhanced their cooperation in recent years. They have conducted various joint training exercises to strengthen their security ties. The port call of the “Lorraine” provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the collaboration between Japan and France in the areas of security and defense, as well as their joint efforts to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshikawa expressed her optimism for the further development of Japan-France relations in the future.

The reception aboard the French frigate “Lorraine” served as a platform to underscore the strong partnership between Japan and France. It highlighted their joint commitment to common values, international security, and a free and open Indo-Pacific. The event further strengthened the bond between the two nations and laid the foundation for continued cooperation in various areas of mutual interest.