Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting (Summary)
November 20, 2012
(Japanese)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On Tuesday, November 20, for approximately 25 minutes from 10:45 a.m. (local time), Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held a meeting with President Barack Obama during his visit to Phnom Penh, Cambodia to attend the ASEAN-related Summit Meetings. The outline of the meeting is as follows (also attending the meeting on the U.S. side were Secretary of State Clinton, National Security Advisor Donilon, Deputy National Security Advisor Froman, among others; on the Japanese side were Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Edano and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Saito, among others):
1. Opening Remarks
President Obama stated that he hoped to make this meeting an opportunity to reaffirm the extraordinary Alliance between Japan and the United States, which is a cornerstone of prosperity and security of the region. He also stated that he wished to further strengthen the relationship based on the “U.S.-Japan Joint Statement: A Shared Vision for the Future,” released in April. On the economic front, he stated that Japan and the United States should coordinate effectively as economic powers, and that he hoped to cooperate in a way that would give a major impact on the world in the areas of employment and economic development.
In response, Prime Minister Noda first congratulated President Obama on his reelection. He then welcomed the United States policy that places importance on the Asia Pacific region, and stated that he hoped to generate synergy effects between the two countries’ policies based on the Joint Statement released in April. In addition, Prime Minister Noda noted that under the increasingly severe security environment in the Asia-Pacific region, the Japan-U.S. Alliance has become more important than ever before and that he wished to proceed with concrete cooperation to develop the Alliance.
2. Japan-U.S. Security
Both leaders shared the view that they would further accelerate cooperation in the field of security, including the realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan, in line with the “2+2” Joint Statement in April. Prime Minister Noda stated that it is extremely important to achieve the understanding of people in Okinawa in order to strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance. He also raised the recent series of incidents in Okinawa by U.S. military personnel, including the one which occurred on November 18th, and once again requested that discipline be strengthened and that measures be taken to prevent recurrence .
3. Asia-Pacific Regional Issues
Prime Minister Noda explained Japan’s basic position toward China that the Japan-China relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships for Japan. He also stated that Japan holds a strong will to contribute to regional peace and prosperity in spite of the current difficult situation between Japan and China.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Noda mentioned the issue regarding the South China Sea, and explained Japan’s basic position that the issue of the South China Sea is a matter of common concern for the international community, and is directly linked to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and that it is important for all parties to settle in accordance with international law.
4. Japan-U.S. Economic Relations (including TPP)
Regarding the economic relations between Japan and the United States, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), both leaders affirmed to work toward the strengthening of trade and investment between Japan and the United States, and the promotion of economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region. Prime Minister Noda stated that he would like to accelerate bilateral consultations in order to overcome issues regarding the TPP, which was basically understood by President Obama.