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Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministerial Meeting (Summary)

April 30, 2007

Foreign Minister Taro Aso held talks with Secretary of State Rice for about 45 minutes beginning at 4:00 P.M. on April 30.

1. Prime Minister's Visit to the United States

Both welcomed the fact that during the visit of Prime Minister Abe to the U.S., the to leaders confirmed that the Japan-U.S. alliance was the foundation of the peace and stability of East Asia and was an "irreplaceable and invaluable alliance," which they stressed to domestic and international audiences, and that the two leaders had struck out a strong individual relationship of trust. Secretary of State Rice, who was present at the Japan-U.S. summit meeting, said that the two leaders got along well with each other.

2. Climate Change

The two agreed that the issuance of a joint statement on climate change during the Japan-U.S. summit meeting was a significant achievement. The two confirmed that this issuance of the joint statement would broaden the Japan-U.S. alliance and agreed that Japan and the U.S. should follow up on this, keeping in mind the Japan- U.S. cooperation at G8.

3. The Situation in Asia

(1) On the nuclear issue with North Korea, the two agreed that North Korea should implement the "initial actions" at the earliest date possible, and that Japan and the U.S. would work in close consultation to advance the process of de-nuclearization. They further shared the view that patience was not unlimited, and that pressure should be increased as necessary. With regard to the abduction issue, Secretary Rice made it clear that there was no change in U.S. support for the position of the Japanese Government. Also, with regard to the issue of removing North Korea from the designation as state sponsors of terrorism, it was confirmed that the abduction issue would be given due consideration in any discussion of removing that designation.

(2) On China, Foreign Minister Aso stated that he would encourage China to play a more constructive role in the international community, and the two agreed that Japan and the U.S. would work together in this regard.

4. The Fight Against Terrorism

Foreign Minister Aso explained that Japan will greatly increase aid to Pakistan, which lies on the frontlines of the fight against terrorism, and Secretary Rice welcomed it. The two agreed that aid to Pakistan was a shared issue to be addressed by Japan and the U.S. and that they would continue to work together on it. Furthermore, Foreign Minister Aso explained that Japan would strengthen the aid to the FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Area) that comprises a part of the border with Afghanistan.

5. UN Security Council Reform

Foreign Minister Aso expressed appreciation for U.S. support, and the two confirmed that the two countries would continue to cooperate closely on this issue.

6. Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements

Agreement was reached on continuing to cooperate for the purpose of strengthening the Japan-U.S. security arrangements through such fora as the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee ("2 + 2 Meeting").

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