All national dailies reported that Prime Minister Kishida held talks with visiting Swiss President/Foreign Minister Cassis at the Kantei on Monday. According to the papers, the two leaders agreed to maintain the powerful sanctions on Russia to end its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. They also shared the view that Russia must be strictly held accountable for the killing of many civilians. Nikkei said the two leaders also confirmed close cooperation over North Korea. Mainichi wrote that this was the first time for Cassis to visit Japan since he took office in January, adding that the Swiss president also met with Foreign Minister Hayashi in Tokyo. According to Asahi, Hayashi reportedly told Cassis: “We welcome your imposition of sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine that are as strong as the EU’s despite your position of neutrality.” Hayashi also reportedly referred to China and North Korea by name and stressed the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation toward realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific.