Japan, Us To Affirm Alliance At 2 - Plus - 2 Meeting
Japanese and US foreign and defense chiefs are to hold talks in Tokyo for the first time since the administration of President Joe Biden was inaugurated.
Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo will meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday.
China is expected to be high on the agenda at the meeting, given its growing economic and military clout.
The two sides will likely share their concerns about China's growing maritime reach, as well as its new coast guard law. The law authorizes its coast guard to use weapons in waters Beijing considers to be under its jurisdiction.
They will also likely affirm that Article Five of the Japan-US Security Treaty applies to the Senkaku Islands. The article obliges the US to defend territories under Japan's administrative control.
Japan controls the islands. China and Taiwan claim them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory, in terms of history and international law. It says there is no issue of sovereignty to be resolved over them.
A Japanese government official said a statement expected to be released after the meeting will likely be a message that reflects the security environment in East Asia.
A meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Blinken and Austin are also scheduled on the same day, as well as a meeting of the defense chiefs and of the foreign chiefs.
The Japanese and US governments hope to use this opportunity to highlight the solid Japan-US alliance as they work together toward realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific.