Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Hayashi Yoshimasa. The Secretary congratulated the Minister on his recent appointment. The Secretary expressed the importance of the United States re-engaging with its closest allies in the region, such as Japan, to strengthen our ties and economic relationship. The Secretary and Minister discussed opportunities for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support the recently announced Japan-U.S. Commercial and Industrial Partnership launched between the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan. The Secretary and Minister also discussed U.S.-Japan cooperation in working with like-minded partners to develop an Indo-Pacific economic framework that will advance resilience, inclusion, sustainability, and the interests of our respective middle classes.