Congratulations on the inaugural of the U.S.-ROK-Japan Global Leadership Youth Summit.

First of all, I would like to highly commend the U.S. Department of State, the East-West Center, Embassy officials, as well as the hosts, the Korean Ministry of Education, and the City of Busan, for their initiative in organizing this event. I hope that the young participants, who were selected through a rigorous selection process, will have fruitful discussions on our common challenging issues, build a lasting network among themselves, and wish the best of luck in their further endeavors.

As stated in the Joint Statement of the Japan-US-ROK Trilateral Vice Foreign Ministerial Meeting held in May this year, the strong political, economic, and defense ties among our three countries are anchored and sustained by people-to-people connections, including educational and professional exchanges and vibrant cross-cultural influences in sports, the arts, and entertainment. The very first U.S.-ROK-Japan Trilateral Global Leadership Youth Summit, organized jointly by the Republic of Korea and the United States, will be a valuable opportunity to further strengthen such bonds of friendship.

I understand that, in addition to those from Japan, the ROK and the U.S., several participants from Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands countries will also join this summit. They will provide valuable insights and awareness from a third-party perspective through the discussions on various global issues.

Such cooperation as this initiative among Japan, the ROK and the United States will serve further deepening mutual understandings. Japan intends to further strengthen cooperation among the three countries in order to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order.

I look forward to seeing you at Haeundae in Busan, a beautiful scenic spot with white sand, and wish all the participants will enjoy this beautiful scenery as well as discussions.

Sincerely yours,