Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Telephone Conference (summary)

　On January 24, 2021, Defense Minister Kishi and Defense Secretary Austin held a telephone conference. The summary is as follows.

At the outset, Secretary Austin offered his greetings as a new Defense Secretary. Minister Kishi congratulated Secretary Austin for his appointment and said that he looked forward to working with Secretary Austin for the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific as well as for the development of the Japan-U.S. Alliance. The Ministers affirmed that the robust ties of the Japan-U.S. Alliance remains unwavering even with the change of administration in the United States and response to COVID-19, and that the Alliance is prepared to address any situation/contingency in the region. The Ministers confirmed that they will work together to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance to continuously address the security challenges in the region and in the international community.

The Ministers affirmed their position that they oppose to 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 maintain and strengthen the free and open maritime order based on the rule of law including the freedom of navigation and overflight. The Ministers reconfirmed that Article V of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty applies to the Senkaku Islands and that both nations oppose to any unilateral action that seeks to undermine Japan’s administration on these islands. The Ministers also concurred that they will cooperate to further strengthen the Alliance capabilities to deter and respond. In regard to nuclear and missile issues of North Korea, the Ministers affirmed that the two nations will work together for a complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all North Korea’s WMD and ballistic missiles of all ranges. The Ministers also agreed that Japan and the United States will continue working together with partner countries to counter illicit ship-to-ship transfers of goods by North Korea. The Ministers concurred that they will strengthen cooperation with various partners both in and out of the region through measures to maintain and strengthen a Free and Open Indo-Pacific with the Japan-U.S. Alliance being the cornerstone.

The Ministers affirmed the importance of operational readiness of the U.S. Forces in Japan as the security environment surrounding Japan becomes increasingly severe, and agreed that it is essential to gain understanding and cooperation regarding the operations of the U.S. Forces in Japan from the local communities. The Ministers agreed to continue to closely work together to steadily advance the realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan. The Ministers reconfirmed that the relocation to Henoko-saki is the only solution to avoid the continued use of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma. Minister Kishi requested for cooperation in the efforts to mitigate the impact on the local communities including Okinawa.

The Ministers agreed to meet in person at the earliest timing possible, taking into account the situation of COVID-19, and Secretary Austin expressed his willingness to visit Japan at an early stage.