The Japan-US Security Arrangements have brought peace and prosperity to Japan and the Far East since the end of World War II. In addition, they have effectively functioned as the fundamental framework supporting stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, North Korea's launch of ballistic missiles in July and nuclear tests in October demonstrated that elements of instability still exist in the Asia-Pacific region even since the end of the Cold War, including regional conflicts and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missiles, among others. In order to ensure the peace and stability of Japan and the region, under such circumstances, it is critical that Japan further reinforce the Japan-US Security Arrangements and its relationship with its ally the United States.

   The governments of Japan and the United States continue to hold consultations so as to further strengthen the Japan-US Security Arrangements, and based on these discussions, the realignment of US forces, Japan is underway. Furthermore, the fact that the United States has an unwavering commitment to carrying out its defense obligations towards Japan has been reconfirmed on repeated occasions. For example, immediately after the nuclear test incident in North Korea, President Bush stated that the United States will meet the full range of its security commitments to Japan. In addition, not long after, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited Japan and she reconfirmed to Prime Minister Abe the firm commitment of the United States with regard to the defense of Japan in accordance with all of the Japan-US Security Arrangements and commitments including the Japan-US Security Treaty. Secretary Rice also declared that the United States has the will and the capability to meet the full range of its obligations regarding the defense of Japan.