The Vice President met this morning with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in New York. The Vice President welcomed our expanding global partnership, including Japan’s contributions to strengthen peacekeeping efforts, address the threat posed by Ebola, and support the fight against ISIL by assisting refugees and other displaced persons in the Middle East. The Vice President welcomed Japan’s September 24 decision to impose sanctions targeting Russia’s financial and defense sectors. The Vice President and the Prime Minister agreed on the strategic and economic importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the need to resolve outstanding bilateral issues in Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, including on agriculture and automobiles, as soon as possible. The Vice President underscored continued U.S. support for Japan’s efforts to improve relations with the Republic of Korea and China.