Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi met with Defense Secretary Austin in the United States he visited, accused North Korea of ​​repeatedly launching ballistic missiles, and did not allow a unilateral change in the status quo in the Indo-Pacific region for China, which is strengthening its marine expansion. We have confirmed that we will curb these movements and strengthen cooperation to deal with them if necessary.


In addition, Minister Kishi expressed his intention to drastically strengthen defense capabilities over the national security strategy, which is a policy to be revised by the end of the year, and agreed to coordinate the strategies of both Japan and the United States.

The Japan-US Defense Ministers' Meeting, which was the first time in about a year, was held at the Department of Defense near Washington, USA, after midnight on the 5th of Japan time.

At the beginning, Minister Kishi said, "One-sided changes in the status quo by force are also a concern in the Indo-Pacific region. It is of utmost importance to prevent the occurrence of the situation," in light of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.



In the talk, they accused North Korea of ​​launching ballistic missiles on the 4th, saying that repeated missile launches are a serious threat and unacceptable, and they will work closely with the three countries including Japan, the United States and South Korea. I confirmed that I would go.



Regarding China, which is strengthening its marine expansion in the East China Sea and South China Sea, we will not allow unilateral changes in the status quo in the Indo-Pacific region, and confirm that we will curb such movements and strengthen cooperation to deal with them if necessary. At the same time, he reiterated the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.



He also severely condemned Russia's military invasion and confirmed that Japan and the United States will continue to cooperate as much as possible to support Ukraine.



Regarding the national security strategy that the Japanese government plans to revise by the end of the year, Minister Kishi will take into consideration the LDP's proposal to possess "counterattack capability" to deal with ballistic missiles and increase defense costs. They agreed to convey the idea of ​​drastically strengthening and to coordinate the strategies of both Japan and the United States.



In addition to North Korea, which is promoting further nuclear development, the United States is involved in "extended deterrence" in which Secretary Austin protects Japan by deterrence including the United States' nuclear force, keeping in mind that Russia and China, which possess nuclear power, are neighbors of Japan. On the other hand, Minister Kishi responded that the efforts between Japan and the United States are more important than ever in order for nuclear deterrence to remain reliable and strong in the current international situation.

The U.S. Secretary of Defense ...

US Secretary of Defense Austin said at the beginning of the meeting with Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi: "The Japan-US alliance is the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. The two countries have worked together to maintain a free and open order in the region." Said.



He then referred to China, which is activating military activities. "China's recent actions are a major challenge to the common norms, values, and institutions that underpin this order. Today, it is more free, including the strengthening of the Japan-US alliance. I would like to discuss the efforts for the realization of an open Indo-Pacific region. "



Defense Secretary Austin also blamed Russia's military invasion of Ukraine as "Russia's unfounded and reckless invasion is a blasphemy of the rule-based international order," and was led by the United States on the 26th of last month. We thanked Minister Kishi for attending a meeting to discuss military assistance to Ukraine.