Minister for Foreign Affairs Okada and US Secretary of State Clinton addressing a joint press conference (January 12, 2010, Hawaii, USA)
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Japan and the United States are allies sharing values and strategic interests, and the Japan-U.S. alliance is the linchpin of Japanese diplomacy. The Japan-U.S. alliance, with the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements at the core, has brought peace and prosperity to Japan and the Far East for more than 60 years since the end of World War II and has functioned effectively as the fundamental framework supporting stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region. In the Asia-Pacific region, which continues to have elements of instability after the end of the Cold War, the Japan-U.S. alliance plays an indispensable role as the cornerstone for the peace and prosperity of Japan and the region.
Japan and the U.S. enjoy extremely close relations in a broad range of fields, such as politics, security, economy and culture. The two countries have continued to strengthen their relations by appropriately addressing bilateral issues and by taking advantage of various opportunities to act in close cooperation to ensure the peace and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and address global issues facing the international community. The Obama administration that came into office in January has repeatedly made clear that it attaches importance to the Japan-U.S. alliance. The Hatoyama administration, inaugurated in September, also continues to place the Japan-U.S. alliance as the linchpin of Japanese diplomacy. Marking the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the current Japan-U.S. Security Treaty in 2010, the two countries shares an important theme of strengthening Japan-U.S. cooperation not only on bilateral issues but also on issues concerning the Asia-Pacific region and global issues, thereby further deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance in order to adapt to the environment of the 21st century.
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Minister for Foreign Affairs Okada and US Secretary of State Clinton addressing a joint press conference (January 12, 2010, Hawaii, USA) |
Japan and Canada cooperate closely in various areas such as politics, the economy, security and culture as partners in the Asia-Pacific region, sharing fundamental values and as members of the G8. The Canadian Minister of International Trade and Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Japan in April and May, respectively, and during these visits, the two countries agreed to advance concerted efforts to address issues in those areas and further strengthen cooperation toward the G8 summit in Canada and the APEC summit in Japan in 2010. In the area of support for humanitarian and disaster relief activities, the two countries confirmed concrete cooperative measures. In July, the Emperor and Empress of Japan made their first visit to Canada, receiving an enthusiastic welcome from Canadian citizens, including those of Japanese descent. These active high-level exchanges between the two countries further deepened the Canadian public�s interest awareness toward in Japan.
