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Courtesy Call on Mr. Naoto Kan, Prime Minister of Japan, by Admiral Robert Willard, Commander, the U.S. Pacific Command

August 24, 2010
Japanese

(Photos: Cabinet Public Relations Office)

(Photos: Cabinet Public Relations Office)

On Tuesday August 24, Mr. Naoto Kan, Prime Minister of Japan, received a courtesy call from Admiral Robert Willard, Commander, the U.S. Pacific Command. The outline of the courtesy call is as follows (other attendees on the U.S. side included Mr. John Roos, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, and Lt. Gen. Edward Rice, Commander, U.S. Forces Japan, and on the Japanese side Mr. Tetsuro Fukuyama, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary).

1. At the meeting, Prime Minister Kan paid tribute to the contribution of the U.S. Pacific Forces to the stability and prosperity of the region, including Japan. He said his administration has made it clear that the Japan-U.S. relationship will remain the linchpin of Japanese diplomacy and that Japan will continue to deepen and develop the Japan-U.S. Alliance. Prime Minister Kan noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty and added that in this landmark year, Japan will promote bilateral security cooperation in a concrete manner on a broad range of areas through the consultative process of deepening the Japan-US. Alliance.
   
   
2. In reply, Admiral Willard said the recognition of the importance of the Japan-U.S. Alliance has further deepened among Asia-Pacific countries. He also stated that the recent dispatch of Japan Self-Defense Forces helicopters to Pakistan was a timely measure and that he was deeply impressed by the action. Admiral Willard also expressed gratitude for Japan’s assistance to Afghanistan.
   
   
3. Regarding the relocation of Futenma Air Station, Prime Minister Kan said Japan will implement it on the basis of the Joint Statement in May. He said that in so doing, it is important to gain understanding of people in Okinawa and added in this connection that Japan would like to request continued U.S. cooperation in reducing the burden of Okinawa. Both sides agreed to continue close cooperation.
   
   
4. Both sides agreed that Japan and the United States will continue to cooperate closely, bearing in mind the current regional security environment including the situation of North Korea.

Related Information (Japan-U.S. Relations)