IRIA News

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III held a virtual meeting of the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee (“2+2”) with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi and Minister of Defense Nobuo Kishi on January 6-7, 2022.

During the meeting, U.S. officials shared a commitment to continue close cooperation with their Japanese partners to modernize and strengthen the U.S.-Japan Alliance. Both sides also reaffirmed the importance of their alliance as the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. and Japanese ministers also exchanged views on a wide range of regional security issues, and “resolved to bolster deterrence by enhancing Alliance capabilities, evolving bilateral roles and missions, and optimizing Alliance force posture,” U.S. Department of Defense release read.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin said, “We’re meeting against a backdrop of increased tensions and challenges to the free, stable and secure Indo-Pacific region that we both seek … challenges posed by North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and by the coercive and aggressive behavior of the People’s Republic of China.” Austin said.

“We know how strong that alliance is today. It remains the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the region. We’re rightly proud that it’s built upon a foundation of not just common interests but also shared values,” Secretary Austin added.

According to Department of Defense release, Secretary Austin also “noted that last month the U.S. and Japan completed the military exercise Resolute Dragon, a bilateral field training exercise held in Japan which focused on integrated deterrence and involved over 4,000 service members from the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.”

During the discussions, the Japanese officials reiterated their resolve to fundamentally reinforce Japan’s defense capabilities to bolster its national defense and contribute to regional peace and stability. 

U.S. and Japanese diplomatic and defense leaders also expressed their concerns on “ongoing efforts by China to undermine the rules-based order present political, economic, military, and technological challenges to the region and the world,” the joint statement read.

According to the joint statement, the U.S. and Japanese officials also renewed “the September 2021 commitment, with fellow Quad members Australia and India, to promote the free, open, rules-based order” and welcomed greater engagement in the Indo-Pacific by European partners and allies.

Both sides also reaffirmed their strong support for ASEAN’s unity and centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Defense and diplomatic leaders of both nations noted the need “to augment security cooperation and capacity-building initiatives with partners in Southeast Asia and Pacific Island countries.” U.S. and Japan also “condemned violence committed against the people of Myanmar and resolved to sustain efforts toward the immediate cessation of all violence and a swift return to the path of inclusive democracy,” according to the joint statement.

The U.S. and Japanese officials also discussed the North Korea issue and reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Both sides “urged North Korea to abide by its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions, expressed strong concerns over its advancing nuclear and missile development activities, and confirmed the need for an immediate resolution of the abductions issue,” the joint statement read.

The participating officials also “acknowledged the urgent challenges presented by geopolitical tensions”, including the COVID-19 pandemic, arbitrary and coercive economic policies, and the climate crisis. Both sides also renewed their commitment to the rules-based international order as well as fundamental values and principles.