Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers' Meeting (Summary)

On Friday, January 18, for approximately 90 minutes from 1 P.M. (EST), during his visit to Washington, D.C., Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida held a meeting and working lunch with U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. The outline of the meeting is as follows:

1. Abduction Incident in Algeria

Prior to the meeting with Secretary Clinton, Foreign Minister Kishida received an intelligence briefing from State Department officials on matters related to the abduction incident in Algeria.

At the meeting with Secretary Clinton, Foreign Minister Kishida stated that Japan would never tolerate any act of terrorism. He also expressed serious concerns about the situation, and explained to her that his government had called upon the Algerian government to give the highest priority to the safety of the lives of the hostages.

Secretary Clinton also expressed her concerns. Both sides confirmed that they would continue to work closely together to address the incident, including collection of information.

2. Japan-U.S. Relations

(1) General Remarks

Foreign Minister Kishida stated that the foreign policy of the Abe administration has three main pillars: (1) strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance, (2) promoting cooperative relations with neighboring countries, and (3) pursuing economic diplomacy toward the recovery of the Japanese economy. He explained in particular, that strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance was the linchpin of Japan’s diplomacy.
Foreign Minister Kishida stated that in order to ensure peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, where the security environment has become increasingly severe, it was important for Japan and the United States to cooperate closely in all fields including security, economy and people-to-people exchanges. He also welcomed the Obama Administration’s policy of rebalancing toward the Asia-Pacific region. Foreign Minister Kishida and Secretary Clinton confirmed that the two countries would continue to work closely for peace and stability in the region.
They also confirmed that Prime Minister Abe would visit the United States during the third week of February and that the two governments would accelerate preparations so that the summit meeting between Prime Minister Abe and President Obama would clearly signal the further strengthening of bilateral relations.

(2) Security

Foreign Minister Kishida expressed Japan’s readiness to fulfill its responsibility with the United States to ensure peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Foreign Minister Kishida also explained that Japan would strengthen its own defense capabilities by such measures as increasing defense budget and reviewing its National Defense Program Guidelines. At the same time, he conveyed to Secretary Clinton Japan’s determination to promote bilateral security and defense cooperation in wide-ranging areas in order to further enhance the deterrence of the Japan-U.S. Security Alliance.
On the realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan, Foreign Minister Kishida stated that the new administration would implement the realignment in accordance with the existing agreements with the United States, and seek to reduce the burden on Okinawa while maintaining deterrence. Foreign Minister Kishida and Secretary Clinton shared their views that, in particular, the two countries would accelerate work on completing  the Consolidation Plan for Facilities and Areas in Okinawa.

(3) Economy

On the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Foreign Minister Kishida introduced the new administration’s views and current domestic discussions. Both sides confirmed their intention to keep close contact with each other.
On Japan’s energy policy, Foreign Minister Kishida stated that the new administration found it necessary to review the previous administration’s policy of terminating nuclear power generation in the 2030s. He stated that Japan hoped to collaborate with the United States, a partner in international nuclear power cooperation.

(4) Hague Convention on Child Abduction

Secretary Clinton welcomed Japan’s efforts for concluding the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, and hoped for its early ratification by the Japanese National Diet. Foreign Minister Kishida noted the importance of the Hague Convention and stated he would work toward its early ratification.

3. Regional Issues

(1) China

Foreign Minister Kishida stated that the relationship with China represented one of the most important bilateral relationships for Japan and that his government would cope with China from a broad perspective toward promoting a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship based on Common Strategic Interests.”
On the situation surrounding the Senkaku Islands, Foreign Minister Kishida said that while Japan would not concede and would uphold its basic position that the islands were an inherent part of the territory of Japan, his country intended to respond calmly so as not to provoke China. Secretary Clinton reconfirmed that Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty applied to the Senkaku Islands, and said that the U.S. opposed any unilateral actions that would seek to undermine Japanese administration. Foreign Minister Kishida expressed appreciation for such a position taken by the U.S. government.

(2) North Korea

Foreign Minister Kishida and Secretary Clinton agreed that the two countries would continue to work closely so that the United Nations Security Council would take expeditious and effective measures against North Korea’s missile launch last December. They also confirmed the importance of maintaining close cooperation between their countries and among Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in dealing with North Korea.
Foreign Minister Kishida explained that the issue of abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korea was an extremely important issue for the Abe administration, and Secretary Clinton stated that the U.S. supported Japan’s position toward resolving this issue.

(3) Japan-ROK Relations

Secretary Clinton stated that she highly valued the efforts being made by the Abe administration to improve Japan’s relations with the ROK. In response, Foreign Minister Kishida stated that taking the opportunity of the start of a new administration in both countries, Japan would work toward further deepening its relations with the ROK.

(4) Others

Foreign Minister Kishida and Secretary Clinton also confirmed that the two countries would further strengthen their cooperation in regional institutions such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Secretary Clinton expressed her appreciation for various forms of cooperation Japan had offered with regard to Iran and Syria. Both sides also shared the view that Japan and the United States would further enhance their collaboration with regard to Myanmar.