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2.@Q/NOn January 7, Defense Minister Kishi, Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayashi, Secretary of State Blinken, and Secretary of Defense Austin convened the Japan-U.S. Security Consulta-tive Committee virtually. The four ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region and recognized the Japan-U.S. Alliance’s critical role as the cornerstone of regional peace, security, and prosperity. They expressed their determination to constantly modernize the Alliance and strengthen joint capabilities by fully aligning strategies and prioritizing goals together, to address evolving security challenges in an integrated manner, with partners and across all instruments of national power, domains, and the full spectrum of situa-tions. Japan reiterated its resolve to fundamentally reinforce its defense capabilities to bolster its national defense and contribute to regional peace and stability. The United States expressed its determination to optimize its posture and capa-bilities in the Indo-Pacific. In addressing the increasingly challenging regional securi-ty environment, the United States and Japan resolved to ensure alignment of Alliance visions and priorities through key forthcoming national security strategy documents.On January 6, Prime Minister of Japan Kishida and Prime Minister of Australia Morrison signed the landmark Recipro-cal Access Agreement (Japan-Australia RAA), underscoring their commitment to further elevate bilateral security and defence cooperation in the interests of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. This agreement establishes a legal framework for facilitat-ing mutually beneficial cooperative activities, such as joint exercises and disaster relief operations, conducted by defence force of one country while visiting the other country and defines the status of the Visiting Force to streamline the procedures for reciprocal access and activities between JSDF and the Australian Defence Force. The Japan-Australia RAA will pave the way to raise the two countries’ “Special Strategic Partnership” to a new stage.+%'Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA)Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (SCC)