B  North America

   As allies, Japan and the US are not only working toward responding to various bilateral concerns, but also tackling various challenges facing the international community by cooperating with countries around the world. The Japan-US alliance, based on shared values and interests, is a relationship with its foundation in the Japan-US Security Arrangements through which these two countries coordinate and cooperate closely in a broad range of fields including not only security but also politics and economics.

Prime Minister Koizumi visiting “Graceland"; home of the late Elvis Presley
(June 28, Memphis, USA)

   In keeping with the close political cooperation and increased people-to-people exchanges between these countries, Japan's relationship with the United States in recent years has expanded and intensified, with the official visit by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the United States from June 28 to 30 symbolizing the dynamism of the Japan-US alliance. On June 29, Prime Minister Koizumi and President George W. Bush held a summit meeting in which they discussed both bilateral issues and a broad range of key topics in international society, including North Korea, Iraq, Iran, India, and the reform of the United Nations Security Council, and also released an outcome document entitled, “The Japan-US Alliance of the New Century.” Through this document, the leaders confirmed their recognition that the Japan-US partnership stands as one of the most accomplished bilateral relationships in history. They also shared the expectation that their cooperation will continue to grow stronger, based on common values deeply rooted in the long historic tradition of both countries, such as freedom, human dignity and human rights, democracy, market economy, and rule of law, as well as in their common interests in winning the fight against terrorism, maintaining regional stability and peace, securing freedom of navigation and commerce, and enhancing global energy security.

   Japan-US relations constitute a cornerstone of Japanese diplomacy under the Abe administration as well, and at the end of September, Prime Minister Abe stated in a policy speech that, based on the concept of “Japan-US alliance for Asia and the world,” Japan would further strengthen the relationship of mutual trust that forms the basis for the alliance. It was after North Korea's announcement in October of having conducted nuclear tests that Prime Minister Abe and President Bush met for the first time on the occasion of the APEC meeting in Hanoi, and in the course of their summit meeting, both leaders agreed to further strengthen the Japan-US alliance and resolved to tackle various issues facing the international community with regard to not only security issues but also economic ties.

   Japan and Canada share fundamental values such as democracy, freedom, and market economy and cooperate closely in a broad range of areas, including politics, economy, security, and culture. In June, Prime Minister Koizumi visited Canada, marking the first visit in six years for a Japanese Prime Minister, and held a summit meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The two leaders also received a report from the Japanese and Canadian co-chairs of the Japan-Canada Forum, an eminent persons meeting comprised of private citizens of both countries. Through this, the bilateral relationship was further reinforced.