News:
Foreign Minister Winston Peters had a phone discussion with the Foreign Minister of Japan, Motegi Toshimitsu, on 15 September.
They discussed the political leadership transition in Japan, as well as recent Asia regional meetings and respective COVID-19 responses.
They also discussed Gulf Livestock 1. Minister Peters expressed New Zealand’s appreciation for the Japan Coast Guard’s extensive and professional search and rescue operation.
Minister Peters described to Minister Motegi the views of the family members of the two New Zealanders still missing, that have been communicated to the New Zealand Government. He sought Minister Motegi’s assistance in responding to issues the families had raised about the search.
Minister Peters also spoke of New Zealand’s wish to work with Panama and other interested international partners, including Japan, to explore the viability of conducting a search for the vessel’s black box.