ID :
156252
Fri, 01/07/2011 - 14:41
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/156252
The shortlink copeid
(Update) Japan, U.S. Agree to Accelerate Talks on Security Cooperation
Washington, Jan. 6 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji
Maehara and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton agreed Thursday that
their two countries will accelerate talks on bilateral cooperation to deal
with possible contingencies in and around Japan.
In their meeting here that lasted for about two hours, Maehara and
Clinton reached the agreement as part of efforts to deepen the Japan-U.S.
alliance.
The talks focus on smoothing the way for cooperation between
Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military in cases of contingencies
threatening Japan's peace and security.
Maehara and Clinton also agreed that the two countries will review
their common strategic goals set in 2005 as guidelines for Japan-U.S.
security cooperation.
The strategic goals will be reviewed in light of changes in the
security environment in the Asia-Pacific region, including China's growing
maritime activities and North Korea's nuclear and missile tests.
Clinton called on Maehara to promote work on documents that the two
countries will issue when Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan visits the
United States to show a vision for their alliance.
Kan is expected to visit Washington this spring.
At a joint press conference with Maehara after their meeting,
Clinton said, "I am delighted that we will host Prime Minister Kan on his
official visit to the United States later his spring."
Clinton also said she and Maehara "have had a very comprehensive,
wide-ranging discussion on a number of critical issues to our bilateral
relationship and to regional and global security and prosperity."
The two countries plan to hold a meeting of their foreign and
defense ministers to hammer out details on alternative facilities to
relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma air station in Okinawa Prefecture,
southern Japan.
"I am looking forward to" the meeting to be held in the coming
months, Clinton said, apparently urging Japan to boost efforts to win local
understanding of the relocation.
Local residents strongly resist a Japan-U.S. agreement, reached in
May last year, to move the base in Ginowan to the Henoko area in another
Okinawa city of Nago.
Maehara told Clinton that the Japanese government will make
tenacious efforts to win Okinawa's understanding of the relocation plan.
The two ministers agreed that their countries will promote efforts
to reduce the burden on Okinawa from hosting U.S. forces in order to smooth
the way for the relocation of the Futenma base.
They reaffirmed that the two countries will cooperate closely in
denuclearizing North Korea.
Maehara explained that Japan's relationship with China is improving
after ties soured following a maritime collision between a Chinese trawler
and Japanese patrol ships near disputed islands in the East China Sea in
September.
He told Clinton that Japan wants to boost cooperation with the
United States in ensuring stable supply of rare earths and developing
alternative materials.
END
Maehara and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton agreed Thursday that
their two countries will accelerate talks on bilateral cooperation to deal
with possible contingencies in and around Japan.
In their meeting here that lasted for about two hours, Maehara and
Clinton reached the agreement as part of efforts to deepen the Japan-U.S.
alliance.
The talks focus on smoothing the way for cooperation between
Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military in cases of contingencies
threatening Japan's peace and security.
Maehara and Clinton also agreed that the two countries will review
their common strategic goals set in 2005 as guidelines for Japan-U.S.
security cooperation.
The strategic goals will be reviewed in light of changes in the
security environment in the Asia-Pacific region, including China's growing
maritime activities and North Korea's nuclear and missile tests.
Clinton called on Maehara to promote work on documents that the two
countries will issue when Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan visits the
United States to show a vision for their alliance.
Kan is expected to visit Washington this spring.
At a joint press conference with Maehara after their meeting,
Clinton said, "I am delighted that we will host Prime Minister Kan on his
official visit to the United States later his spring."
Clinton also said she and Maehara "have had a very comprehensive,
wide-ranging discussion on a number of critical issues to our bilateral
relationship and to regional and global security and prosperity."
The two countries plan to hold a meeting of their foreign and
defense ministers to hammer out details on alternative facilities to
relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma air station in Okinawa Prefecture,
southern Japan.
"I am looking forward to" the meeting to be held in the coming
months, Clinton said, apparently urging Japan to boost efforts to win local
understanding of the relocation.
Local residents strongly resist a Japan-U.S. agreement, reached in
May last year, to move the base in Ginowan to the Henoko area in another
Okinawa city of Nago.
Maehara told Clinton that the Japanese government will make
tenacious efforts to win Okinawa's understanding of the relocation plan.
The two ministers agreed that their countries will promote efforts
to reduce the burden on Okinawa from hosting U.S. forces in order to smooth
the way for the relocation of the Futenma base.
They reaffirmed that the two countries will cooperate closely in
denuclearizing North Korea.
Maehara explained that Japan's relationship with China is improving
after ties soured following a maritime collision between a Chinese trawler
and Japanese patrol ships near disputed islands in the East China Sea in
September.
He told Clinton that Japan wants to boost cooperation with the
United States in ensuring stable supply of rare earths and developing
alternative materials.
END
