After the inauguration of the Kishida administration, the first ministerial talks on foreign affairs and defense between Japan and the United States, the so-called "2 plus 2", will be held in a video conference format.
With China in mind, it is expected that a "joint announcement" that includes the direction of security and defense cooperation between the two countries will be compiled as a result document.
The so-called "2 plus 2", a ministerial consultation on foreign affairs and defense between Japan and the United States, in which Foreign Minister Hayashi and Defense Minister Kishi from the Japanese side and Secretary of State Blinken and Defense Secretary Austin from the US side will participate, will start at 7:30 am on the 7th. It starts with a video conference method.
At this ministerial meeting, which will be the first time since the inauguration of the Kishida administration, opinions will be exchanged on the security issues facing Japan and the United States and how cooperation should be for the realization of a "free and open Indo-Pacific". ..
They shared their awareness of concerns about China, which is strengthening its marine expansion, the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and the nuclear and missile problems of North Korea, which launched a new ballistic missile on the 5th. It is expected that a "joint announcement" that includes the direction of security and defense cooperation between the two countries will be compiled as a result document.
In the discussions, the Japanese side repeatedly asked the US side to take strict measures including restrictions on the going out of soldiers as soon as the infection of the new coronavirus continues to spread at the facilities of the US military in Japan. I'm going to ask for it.
Meanwhile, after discussions, Minister Hayashi and Chargé d'Affaires Green to Japan will sign a special agreement to increase the burden on the Japanese side of the US military stationing expenses in Japan.