Press Releases
Reception to Commemorate the Sixtieth Anniversary of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty Co-hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defense
January 19, 2020
1. On January 19 (Sunday), the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defense co-hosted the Reception to commemorate the Sixtieth Anniversary of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. Approximately 250 guests including Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Aso Taro, personnel from the Japanese and U.S. government, Diet members and other distinguished guests participated in the reception.
2. Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and Minister for Foreign Affairs Motegi Toshimitsu gave remarks, followed by Mr. Joseph M. Young, Charge d’Affaires ad interim, US Embassy in Japan, Lieutenant General Kevin B. Schneider, Commander, U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force, and Ms. Mary Jean Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower. After the remarks, Minister of Defense Kono Taro gave a toast.
3. In his remarks, Prime Minister Abe looked back at the exchange between President Eisenhower and Prime Minister Kishi as they signed the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, and stated that today more than ever, the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty is a pillar that is indestructible, a pillar immovable, safeguarding peace in Asia, the Indo-Pacific, and in the world, while assuring prosperity therein. He expressed his deep appreciation to all those people whose efforts have enhanced the alliance, day in and day out, and stated that it is for us to let the rays of hope of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, which is an “alliance of hope”, keep shining even more.
4. Minister for Foreign Affairs Motegi introduced that he concurred with Secretary of State Pompeo that they would further strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance during his recent visit to San Francisco. He introduced the following message from Former Secretary of State George Shultz, who has greatly contributed to the development of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, to Prime Minister Abe: “Minister for Foreign Affairs Abe Shintaro and I had a very close professional and personal relationship built on complete trust. My watchword has always been, ‘Trust is the coin of the realm,’ and we shared that trust.” adding that the current Japan-U.S. relations are stronger than ever before due to the strong trust between Prime Minister Abe and President Trump. He expressed his heartfelt respect to the predecessors who deepened the Alliance and expressed his commitment to endeavor to further strengthen the Alliance as the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
5. Minister of Defense Kono stated that the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty not only attributes to the defense of Japan, but also to the forward deployment of U.S. forces, and has become the cornerstone of peace in the region, emphasizing the importance of the Alliance under the current security environment.
6. Representing the U.S. Government, Charge d’Affairs ad interim Young introduced President Trump’s congratulatory message praising that the rock-solid Alliance between the two great nations has been essential to peace, security, and prosperity for the United States, Japan, the Indo-Pacific region, and the entire world over the past six decades, and reiterated the U.S. Government’s policy to further develop the Alliance in an evolving security environment.
7. At this reception, the actual documents of the former and current Japan-U.S. Security Treaty and the instruments of ratification, as well as photos of the Signing Ceremony of the former and current Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, Operation Tomodachi, and Prime Minister Abe and President Trump’s visit to JS Kaga were displayed to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.
2. Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and Minister for Foreign Affairs Motegi Toshimitsu gave remarks, followed by Mr. Joseph M. Young, Charge d’Affaires ad interim, US Embassy in Japan, Lieutenant General Kevin B. Schneider, Commander, U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force, and Ms. Mary Jean Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower. After the remarks, Minister of Defense Kono Taro gave a toast.
3. In his remarks, Prime Minister Abe looked back at the exchange between President Eisenhower and Prime Minister Kishi as they signed the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, and stated that today more than ever, the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty is a pillar that is indestructible, a pillar immovable, safeguarding peace in Asia, the Indo-Pacific, and in the world, while assuring prosperity therein. He expressed his deep appreciation to all those people whose efforts have enhanced the alliance, day in and day out, and stated that it is for us to let the rays of hope of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, which is an “alliance of hope”, keep shining even more.
4. Minister for Foreign Affairs Motegi introduced that he concurred with Secretary of State Pompeo that they would further strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance during his recent visit to San Francisco. He introduced the following message from Former Secretary of State George Shultz, who has greatly contributed to the development of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, to Prime Minister Abe: “Minister for Foreign Affairs Abe Shintaro and I had a very close professional and personal relationship built on complete trust. My watchword has always been, ‘Trust is the coin of the realm,’ and we shared that trust.” adding that the current Japan-U.S. relations are stronger than ever before due to the strong trust between Prime Minister Abe and President Trump. He expressed his heartfelt respect to the predecessors who deepened the Alliance and expressed his commitment to endeavor to further strengthen the Alliance as the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
5. Minister of Defense Kono stated that the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty not only attributes to the defense of Japan, but also to the forward deployment of U.S. forces, and has become the cornerstone of peace in the region, emphasizing the importance of the Alliance under the current security environment.
6. Representing the U.S. Government, Charge d’Affairs ad interim Young introduced President Trump’s congratulatory message praising that the rock-solid Alliance between the two great nations has been essential to peace, security, and prosperity for the United States, Japan, the Indo-Pacific region, and the entire world over the past six decades, and reiterated the U.S. Government’s policy to further develop the Alliance in an evolving security environment.
7. At this reception, the actual documents of the former and current Japan-U.S. Security Treaty and the instruments of ratification, as well as photos of the Signing Ceremony of the former and current Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, Operation Tomodachi, and Prime Minister Abe and President Trump’s visit to JS Kaga were displayed to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.