(attachment 2) Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting (summary)

October 19, 2018
Ministry of Defense

On October 19 2018, Minister Iwaya and Secretary Mattis held the Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting from 11:00 for about 60 minutes on the occasion of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).

1. Free and Open Indo-Pacific

The Ministers, taking into account the Former Minister of Defense Onodera's visit to India and Sri Lanka in August and the U.S.-India 2+2 Dialogue held for the first time in September, exchanged their views, shared the understandings about the importance of the free and open Indo-Pacific, and confirmed the significance of cooperation between Japan and the U.S. and with various partners.

From this point of view, the Ministers welcomed the development of the regional multilateral security cooperation and dialogue under the framework of the ADMM-Plus, and agreed to strengthen the cooperation with partner countries in maintaining basic international principles such as rule of law, freedom of navigation and in implementing measures for peace and stability such as capacity building assistance.

2. Regional affairs

The Ministers, taking into account that China continues unilateral attempts to change the status-quo by coercion in the East and South China Seas, confirmed that the two countries work together for the peace and stability of the East China Sea, and it is important for both countries to be engaged in the South China Sea.

The Ministers confirmed they continue to support 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. As part of efforts to ensure the effectiveness of the UNSCRs, the Ministers additionally confirmed the importance of working with partner countries to counter illicit ship-to-ship transfers of goods by North Korea, and welcomed the monitoring and surveillance activities taking place since September with the participation of Australia, New Zealand and Canada, and agreed that the two countries conduct the operation in cooperation with like-minded countries. The Ministers confirmed that U.S. Forces in South Korea is a stabilizing force in the region, and that no change in U.S. Forces in South Korea has been considered. The Ministers also agreed to work together to reinforce the deterrence and response capability including conducting Japan-U.S. bilateral exercises steadily as planned.

3. National Defense Program Guidelines, etc.

Minister Iwaya explained the current status of the revision of the National Defense Program Guidelines and the formulation of the Mid-Term Defense Program for the next fiscal year, and the Ministers concurred to continue to closely exchange information.

The Ministers confirmed to work together to improve efficiency regarding Foreign Military Sales (FMS) in Japan's buying U.S-made defense assets

4. The U.S. Forces in Japan

The Ministers reconfirmed that the relocation to Henoko-saki is the only solution to avoid the continued use of the Futenma Air Station. The Ministers confirmed to work closely together for the steady implementation of the U.S. forces realignment initiatives.

Minister Iwaya requested for cooperation in the Government of Japan's efforts to secure the understanding from the local communities, and to ensure the safe operations of the U.S. Forces.