Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting (summary)
August 7, 2019
Ministry of Defense
On August 7, 2019, Minister Iwaya and Secretary Esper held a meeting from 11:03 am for about 70 minutes at the Ministry of Defense. The summary is as follows.
１ Regional affairs The Ministers confirmed the importance of full implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions for a complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all North Korea’s WMD and ballistic missiles of all ranges. The Ministers agreed that Japan and the United States will continue working together with partner countries to counter illicit shipto-ship transfers of goods by North Korea. Also, the Ministers confirmed the importance of the deterrent capability of regional U.S. Forces including U.S. Forces Korea. The Ministers affirmed their position that they oppose unilateral attempts to change the status-quo by coercion in the East and South China Seas, and that it is important to work together to make sure that Rule of Law and Freedom of Navigation are firmly established. The Ministers reconfirmed that Article V of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty applies to the Senkaku Islands, and that they would oppose any unilateral actions which attempt to undermine Japan’s administration of the islands, and agreed to cooperate with each other for the peace and stability in the East China Sea.
２ Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation The Ministers confirmed that they will closely coordinate in their efforts to be made based on the strategy documents of both countries and to even strengthen the alliance capability to deter and respond. Also, they confirmed the significance of cooperation with various partners including conducting bilateral or multilateral exercises and capacity building assistance to maintain and strengthen a Free and Open Indo-Pacific with Japan-U.S. alliance being the cornerstone. The Ministers confirmed to make continued effort in streamlining FMS process.
3 The U.S. Forces in Japan The Ministers confirmed that the relocation to Henoko-saki is the only solution to avoid the
continued use of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma. Minister Iwaya requested for cooperation in the Government of Japan’s efforts to mitigate the impact on the local communities including Okinawa. The Ministers confirmed to work closely together for the steady implementation of the U.S. forces realignment initiatives. Minister Iwaya also requested the U.S. Forces to minimize its operational impact on the local communities including noise of transient aircrafts and the Ministers affirmed the importance to ensure the safe operations of the U.S. Forces.
