Acting Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Charles E. Summers provided the following readout:
The U.S. – Japan Security Consultative Committee, with the participation of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Kono, and Minister of Defense Iwaya convened today at the Department of State in Washington, District of Columbia.
During the meeting, the ministers affirmed their strong commitment to realize a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” a shared vision for a region in which all nations are sovereign, strong and prosperous. The U.S.-Japan Alliance serves as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and remains iron-clad amid an increasingly complex security environment.
Following the morning session, Secretary Shanahan met with Minister Iwaya at the Pentagon to further advance the alliance’s defense cooperation. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining readiness to face threats in the Indo-Pacific region, and discussed tangible ways to implement the National Defense Strategy and Japan’s National Defense Program Guidelines.
Both parties agreed to enhance alliance capabilities and interoperability across the conventional, cyber, and space domains. Secretary Shanahan expressed appreciation for Minister Iwaya’s leadership, which has further strengthened the alliance and helped to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.