Japan-United States of America Relations
Meeting Between Foreign Minister Kishida and U.S. Defense Secretary Mattis
February 3, 2017
On February 3, commencing at 7:00 p.m. for approximately 50 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with the Honorable James Mattis, Secretary of Defense of the United States of America, who is visiting Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1 At the beginning, Minister Kishida welcomed Secretary Mattis to Japan, and expressed his congratulations on the official start of the new Trump administration and Secretary Mattis' appointment, and then explained that he intends to work closely with Secretary Mattis and strive to further strengthen the Japan- U.S. Alliance.
In response, Secretary Mattis explained that the fact that he chose this region as the destination of his first visit indicates the importance of Japan to the United States. Secretary Mattis stated that he intends to cooperate based on the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.
2 The two sides exchanged views on regional affairs, including China and the Korean Peninsula.
(1) In relation to the issues surrounding North Korea, the two sides affirmed that North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs are totally unacceptable, and that Japan and the United States, as well as Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK), will continue to respond in close coordination.
(2) Minister Kishida explained Japan-China relations and Japan-ROK relations. The two sides shared concerns about the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. Secretary Mattis stated again that the Senkaku Islands are territories under the administration of Japan and are within the scope that is covered by Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. Secretary Mattis once again expressed that the United States opposes any unilateral action that seeks to undermine Japan's administration of the Senkaku Islands.
3 The two sides shared the view that the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements are important as the foundation of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and agreed that cooperation between Japan and the United States, as well as among Japan, the United States and the ROK, will be strengthened further.
4 Minister Kishida proposed holding a "2+2" meeting at an early date possible, and Secretary Mattis also stated that he hopes to hold a "2+2" meeting.
1 At the beginning, Minister Kishida welcomed Secretary Mattis to Japan, and expressed his congratulations on the official start of the new Trump administration and Secretary Mattis' appointment, and then explained that he intends to work closely with Secretary Mattis and strive to further strengthen the Japan- U.S. Alliance.
In response, Secretary Mattis explained that the fact that he chose this region as the destination of his first visit indicates the importance of Japan to the United States. Secretary Mattis stated that he intends to cooperate based on the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.
2 The two sides exchanged views on regional affairs, including China and the Korean Peninsula.
(1) In relation to the issues surrounding North Korea, the two sides affirmed that North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs are totally unacceptable, and that Japan and the United States, as well as Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK), will continue to respond in close coordination.
(2) Minister Kishida explained Japan-China relations and Japan-ROK relations. The two sides shared concerns about the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. Secretary Mattis stated again that the Senkaku Islands are territories under the administration of Japan and are within the scope that is covered by Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. Secretary Mattis once again expressed that the United States opposes any unilateral action that seeks to undermine Japan's administration of the Senkaku Islands.
3 The two sides shared the view that the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements are important as the foundation of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and agreed that cooperation between Japan and the United States, as well as among Japan, the United States and the ROK, will be strengthened further.
4 Minister Kishida proposed holding a "2+2" meeting at an early date possible, and Secretary Mattis also stated that he hopes to hold a "2+2" meeting.