Japan, Hong Kong to Expand High-Level Exchanges

November 2, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and visiting Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Friday issued the first joint statement between the two governments to expand high-level exchanges and strengthen trade ties.

During their meeting in Tokyo, Kono expressed hopes that Hong Kong's democracy and economy will develop further under China's "one country, two systems" policy.

The Hong Kong leader replied she is glad about expansion of bilateral cooperation in the science and technology and academic fields.

Hong Kong is the largest destination for exports of Japanese agricultural, forestry and fisheries products.

In July, Hong Kong conditionally lifted a ban on imports of food made in the prefectures of Chiba, Gunma, Ibaraki and Tochigi.

The ban was introduced following the March 2011 nuclear accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s Fukushima No. 1 plant in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan.

Kono called for removing the ban on imports of food made in Fukushima. Jiji Press