The US-Japan foreign affairs and defense ministerial talks, the so-called "2 plus 2", were held for the first time since the inauguration of the Biden administration in the United States.

They expressed serious concern about China's "Cast Guard Law" and agreed to oppose unilateral actions to try to change the status quo in the East China Sea and elsewhere.

Foreign Minister Motegi, Defense Minister Kishi, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Secretary of Defense Austin's ministerial talks on foreign affairs and defense between Japan and the United States, the so-called "2 plus 2", is about an hour and a half after 3:00 pm It was held in.



Among them, the four ministers exchanged views on the rise of China, and agreed that China's actions did not match the existing international order and raised various issues for the Japan-US alliance and the international community. did.



On top of that, he expressed serious concern that China had enacted the "Marine Police Law" that allows the Maritime Police Law, which is the maritime security officer, to use weapons, and made a "one-sided action to try to change the status quo" in the East China Sea and South China Sea. We agreed to oppose it.

In addition, we reconfirmed that the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture are subject to Article 5 of the Japan-US Security Treaty, which stipulates defense obligations by the United States, and took unilateral actions to undermine Japan's administration of the Senkaku Islands. I confirmed that I would continue to oppose it.



In addition, the four ministers will immediately resolve the issue of the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, the cooperation abduction issue of the three countries of Japan, the United States and South Korea toward the complete denuclearization of North Korea, and in areas such as space and cyber. We also confirmed that we would deepen our cooperation.



We will continue to cooperate with Australia, India, and other countries that share values ​​to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, and we will open "2 plus 2" again within the year. became.

At a joint press conference, Minister Mogi said, "The strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific region is on a completely different level than before, and it is extremely significant that we were able to thoroughly discuss policies for strengthening the deterrence and coping capabilities of the Japan-US alliance. , It is a powerful message of the strength of the Japan-US alliance. "

Minister Kishi said, "The U.S. military and the Self-Defense Forces agreed on the need to carry out more advanced bilateral and multilateral exercises. It's important to go. "