Japan, Us Officials Hold Security Talks
Senior government officials from Japan and the United States have affirmed their continued cooperation to strengthen the bilateral alliance. They also shared concerns about China's new coast guard law.
The US State Department said on Thursday that foreign and defense officials from the two countries held security talks via video link.
The department said both sides reiterated their strong opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East and South China seas. They expressed deep concerns over China's coast guard law.
The legislation introduced last month allows China's coast guard to use weapons in waters Beijing considers to be under its jurisdiction.
The US department also said the Japanese and US officials confirmed they will continue to closely cooperate to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, enhance deterrence and bolster the Japan-US alliance.
The two governments are currently making arrangements for US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to visit Japan around March 15.
They are expected to hold talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo. A so-called "two-plus-two" meeting of foreign and defense chiefs is also being considered.