Meeting between Mr. Koichiro Gemba, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Leon Panetta, U.S. Secretary of Defense (Overview)

On Monday, September 17, Mr. Koichiro Gemba, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with Mr. Leon Panetta, Secretary of Defense of the United States, who was visiting Japan, from 10:00 AM for approximately 50 minutes. Both ministers exchanged views on regional environment and security issues of concern between the two countries, such as MV-22 Osprey and the realignment of U.S. Forces. An overview of the meeting is as follows (Attendees on the U.S. side included H.E. Mr. John Victor Roos, Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan; Lieutenant General Salvatore A. Angelella, Commander, United States Forces, Japan; and Mr. Mark W. Lippert, Assistant Secretary of Defense of the United States; among others. Attendees on the Japanese side included Mr. Kenichiro Sasae, Ambassador Designated of Japan to the United States; Mr. Shinsuke Sugiyama, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau; and Mr. Junichi Ihara, Director-General of the North American Affairs Bureau; among others):

1. Regional Environment

Concerning China, Secretary Panetta explained his scheduled visit to China and its purpose, and the current situation of U.S.-China relations. Minister Gemba explained developments related to issues involving China and the current situation of Japan-China relations. Minister Gemba also expressed his intent to deal with matters calmly from a broader perspective.

Concerning the Republic of Korea (ROK), Minister Gemba explained his view that although difficult problems existed between Japan and ROK, Japan-ROK coordination and trilateral coordination among Japan, the U.S., and ROK would remain important in the future, and that cooperation between the countries in the field of security should not be slowed. In response, Secretary Panetta stated that he would like to enhance trilateral cooperation between Japan, the U.S., and ROK.

Both ministers also exchanged opinions related to North Korea.

Both ministers once again confirmed the necessity of ceaselessly consulting on various issues with each other on various issues as allies, including on their perspectives on regional environment.

2. Osprey

Minister Gemba pressed the point that there were strong local concerns about the safety of the MV-22 Osprey, while expressing his recognition of the importance of the deployment of the aircraft in Japan from the viewpoint of the defense of Japan and regional security. In response, Secretary Panetta stated that he was also carefully watching the issue. Both ministers confirmed that working level consultations for the confirmation of safety had made significant progress over the previous several days (especially compared to September 13, the day on which Minister Gemba received a courtesy call from Ambassador Roos and Lieutenant General Angelella), and both ministers decided to instruct working-level officials to accelerate the discussions toward the conclusion of the issue.

3. Realignment of the U.S. Forces

Both ministers confirmed that they would steadily implement the 2+2 Joint Statement issued last April and would accelerate the discussions. Minister Gemba stated that he expected Secretary Panetta would exert his leadership in securing an appropriate funding for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps from Okinawa to Guam on the U.S. side.