Japan, Us Ministers Discuss Regional Security
The US foreign and defense chiefs have begun a day of meetings in Tokyo, as part of their very first overseas trip.
The choice to travel to Tokyo and Seoul, South Korea, underscores the weight the Biden administration is giving to Asian alliances -- particularly as recent moves by China spark concerns in the US.
China is likely to be high on the agenda in a series of meetings. Japanese Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo and his counterpart Lloyd Austin met Tuesday afternoon.
The two countries have a shared interest in reining in China's growing maritime assertiveness and addressing its new coast guard law.
That law authorizes coast guard vessels to use weapons in waters Beijing considers to be under its jurisdiction.
Japanese Defense Minister Kishi said, "I'd like to exchange views on regional affairs, especially China's actions in the East and South China seas. And I also want to discuss a wide range of concrete measures to strengthen the Japan-US alliance's deterrence and response capabilities."
US Defense Secretary Austin said, "Without question, the US-Japan alliance remains the cornerstone in addressing today's and tomorrow's challenges as we work together to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific."
The Japanese and US foreign ministers also met one-on-one ahead of their joint session of "2 plus 2" talks. In addition to China, North Korea was an issue expected to come up.
Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu said, "I'm so happy that finally we are seeing each other face to face. I look forward to our close cooperation."
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "One key element is the denuclearization of North Korea, we will continue to work on that as friends and partners. We stand with you, all the Japanese people, on the efforts to resolve the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korea. The issue is critical for sovereignty of Japan and the lives and safety of the Japanese people."
A Japanese government official told NHK the meeting will likely end with a statement about security in East Asia. Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide is also set to meet with Blinken and Austin, later on Tuesday.