Japan-United States of America Relations
Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
February 10, 2017
On February 10th, commencing at around 11:10 p.m. JST (around 9:10 a.m. local time, February 10th) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers' Meeting with the Honorable Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State of the United States of America. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1 Japan-U.S. Alliance
The two sides affirmed the importance of the Japan-U.S. Alliance as the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and agreed to strengthen Japan-U.S. cooperation in addressing the issues in the region.
2 Regional Situation
(1) The two sides reviewed the regional situation, including the issues on North Korea's nuclear and missile development, the East China Sea and the South China Sea. Both sides shared the view that the security environment in the Asia-Pacific region is becoming increasingly severe.
(2) The two sides agreed on the importance of Japan-U.S. and Japan-U.S.-ROK trilateral cooperation for responding to the issues regarding North Korea's nuclear and missile development. Furthermore, Minister Kishida explained Japan's position regarding the abductions issue and affirmed that Japan and the United States will continue to coordinate in responding to North Korea.
(3) Minister Kishida explained Japan's basic position regarding Japan-China and Japan-ROK relations.
(4) Secretary Tillerson reaffirmed that the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty covers the Senkaku Islands.
(2) The two sides agreed on the importance of Japan-U.S. and Japan-U.S.-ROK trilateral cooperation for responding to the issues regarding North Korea's nuclear and missile development. Furthermore, Minister Kishida explained Japan's position regarding the abductions issue and affirmed that Japan and the United States will continue to coordinate in responding to North Korea.
(3) Minister Kishida explained Japan's basic position regarding Japan-China and Japan-ROK relations.
(4) Secretary Tillerson reaffirmed that the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty covers the Senkaku Islands.
3 Okinawa
Minister Kishida explained the efforts to mitigate the impact on Okinawa. With regard to the relocation of MCAS Futenma, the two sides affirmed that the relocation to Henoko is the only solution.
4 Japan-U.S. Economic Relations
Minister Kishida stated that Japan-U.S. economic relations have significant potential, and that it is important for Japan and the United States to drive economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region, noting the economic and strategic significance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. Secretary Tillerson referred to the importance of deepening Japan-U.S. economic relations, and stated that it is essential to build close economic relations with Asia-Pacific countries.