Ulaanbaatar, August 14, 2024 /MONTSAME/. Prime Minister of Mongolia Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Mongolia Igawahara Masaru on August 13, 2024.

At the meeting, Ambassador Igawahara expressed regret and apologized for the cancelation of the official visit of Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida to Mongolia at the invitation of Prime Minister of Mongolia Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai on August 11-12, 2024, due to the major earthquake that hit Miyazaki Prefecture of Japan, and more possible major earthquakes. The Ambassador informed about the situation that led to the cancelation of the visit, explaining that the Japanese Government issued a warning that more major earthquakes could occur following the earthquake in Miyazaki Prefecture, and urgent actions are being taken to reduce possible risks and prevent natural disasters.

Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene expressed his complete understanding of the domestic situation caused by the major earthquake that led to the cancelation of the official visit of Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida to Mongolia. The Premier emphasized that the Government of Mongolia and the Mongolian people stand in solidarity with close friend Japan, a Special Strategic Partner, and the Japanese people at this difficult time. 

Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene underlined the successful election of the State Great Khural in June 2024 and highlighted that the formation of the Government by the Mongolian People's Party, which won the majority seats in the parliament, jointly with the Democratic Party, and the National Labor Party (HUN), is essential for strengthening the Special Strategic Partnership between Mongolia and Japan and expanding human-centric relations and cooperation. 

At the meeting, the two sides noted that the relations and cooperation between Mongolia and Japan based on common democratic values have been developing at the level of the Special Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in all areas, and affirmed their commitment to ensuring the implementation of the 10-year action plan of the Partnership, consolidating the achievements of bilateral relations, reached so far, and cooperating closer further. The two parties exchanged views on expanding mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation and promoting people exchanges, which are the main pillars of the Partnership between the two countries. 

The two parties expressed appreciation that human-centric cooperation is strengthening and the friendship between the peoples of the two countries is deepening in 2024 which marks the 50th anniversary of cultural relations between Mongolia and Japan and expressed commitment to further intensify the friendship between the youths, future generations of the two countries.