Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink will travel to Tokyo December 9-10 to hold a series of meetings to demonstrate the enduring U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. The Assistant Secretary will meet with Ministry of Foreign Affairs interlocutors to discuss Indo-Pacific regional affairs, various trilateral initiatives, U.S.-Japan defense ties, and economic cooperation.

On December 9, Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink will engage with Japanese and ROK counterparts to underscore the importance of close trilateral cooperation in responding to concerns related to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

On December 10, the Assistant Secretary will also participate in the Trilateral Maritime Dialogue with Japan and the Philippines. The Dialogue follows the April 2024 Trilateral Leaders’ Summit, and participants will discuss our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, respect for the rules-based system of international law in the maritime domain, unimpeded commerce, and freedom of navigation and overflight.