U.S-Japan braces up to achieve goal of ‘free’ Indo-Pacific challenge

F.P Report

WASHINGTON: Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin with Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Nobua Kishi addressed the media on Tuesday before commencing their meeting.

During the press briefing, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi remarked that this is the first time in history that the U.S. State Secretary and Defense Secretary have together visited Japan as their first overseas port of call after the inauguration of a new administration in the United States.

This is proof of the unshakeable commitment that the two of you and the Biden administration have to the Japan-U.S. alliance and the region overall, he added.

Remembering the Great East Japan Earthquake, he stated that, we marked the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11. At the time of the earthquake, the U.S. Forces in Japan dedicated themselves selflessly to Operation Tomodachi and relief work.

Commenting on Indo-Pacific situation, he added that over the past few years, the world situation has changed greatly. The strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific in particular is in a totally different dimension. There has been a change in the power balance as not only military strength but also economic development and high-tech advancements have exerted an influence on the power situation, Foreign Minister Motegi remarked.

He also emphasized that the free and open international order is faced with major challenges, such as unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force and the expansion of authoritarianism.

Moreover, he also expressed his views over the deadly pandemic, stating that the COVID-19 pandemic that broke out last year has accelerated these trends. In this context, maintaining a free and open international order based on the rule of law and ensuring regional peace, stability, and prosperity are the path and the strategic goals Japan and the U.S. must band together to pursue, he added.

Japan is fully committed to further strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance, he underlined.

Other than this, Defense Minister Kishi expressed gratitude towards U.S  over the Great East Japan Earthquake saying that  we thank U.S for the support we received from the U.S.  government and for Operation Tomodachi led by the U.S. military at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake 10 years ago.

The fact that our American friends were with us and were supporting us during those difficult days is deeply etched in the hearts of the Japanese people. This experience deepened and strengthened the bonds between our two countries even more and further solidified the Japan-U.S. alliance, the defense minister remarked.

Over the past 10 years, the Japan-U.S. alliance has steadily been strengthened. Our two countries have furthered our strategic dialogue and have joined hands to address security issues in the region and in the world. Moreover, Japan has created legislation for peace and security and moved forward with strengthening its own defense capabilities, Japanese Defense Minister underlined.

He also highlighted close bilateral ties saying that the Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military have become partners who can act together while protecting each other. Amid the increasingly tense security environment, however, we must further solidify the Japan-U.S. alliance.

Moving forward, U.S Secretary of State Blinken commented that we’re here to reaffirm our commitment to this alliance and to build upon it, to ensure that we keep delivering for our people today and into the future.

 We believe that this alliance is critical for a free and open Indo-Pacific region in which countries pursue shared objectives effectively, resolve any differences peacefully, respect international law, and use multilateral institutions to build cooperation, Blinken underlined.

He further remarked that U.S and Japan will work together on a range of issues that you both alluded to, but these are issues that are not abstractions; they actually shape the lives of our citizens. 

Secretary of State also mentioned that it’s important that U.S-Japan work closely together on them, whether it’s health security, including stopping COVID-19; economic security; cybersecurity; combatting climate change.

He also remarked that both the countries will continue to work together on core security issues like the denuclearization of North Korea and maritime security, and we’ll stand up for our shared democratic values, because we know that democracy and human rights are core elements of any stable and secure region.

Lastly, Secretary Austin shared his views commenting that the U.S.-Japan alliance is strong, and I look forward to charting a path towards continued success in the future as we work together to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.  I am a firm believer in the notion that we are at our strongest when we work together as part of a larger team, he said.

Other than this he also mentioned that we stand shoulder-to-shoulder, arm-in-arm with Japan – the cornerstone of the alliance, the Indo-Pacific, that has preserved peace and security in this region and across the globe for more than half a century.

U.S Department of Defense stand ever ready to buttress the hard work of our diplomats.  Diplomacy and defense complement one another, and together they make us stronger, Secretary Austin emphasized.

He further remarked that today’s meeting is a testament to that premise, as we work together in the spirit of teamwork and cooperation to seize the shared opportunities and address our shared challenges now and in the years ahead. 

We need only look at Operation Tomodachi in the wake of the 3/11 tragedy 10 years ago to give us confidence that our resolute and resilient alliance rests firmly on our bonds of friendship and shared sacrifice, he mentioned