WEBVTT 00:01.950 --> 00:04.490 Good evening everyone . Good to see you 00:04.490 --> 00:07.890 all . Um and let me say 1st 00:08.710 --> 00:10.432 uh Secretary Austin and I just 00:10.432 --> 00:12.740 concluded a very productive and wide 00:12.740 --> 00:15.018 ranging discussion with our colleagues , 00:15.018 --> 00:16.851 Foreign Minister Yasushi Defense 00:16.851 --> 00:19.073 Minister from ANA and this of course is 00:19.073 --> 00:21.240 ahead of President biden hosting Prime 00:21.240 --> 00:23.407 Minister Kishida at the White House on 00:23.407 --> 00:26.160 friday . It is hard to overstate the 00:26.160 --> 00:28.960 importance of the US Japan alliance for 00:28.960 --> 00:31.182 more than seven decades . It's been the 00:31.182 --> 00:33.293 cornerstone of peace and stability in 00:33.293 --> 00:35.571 the indo pacific ensuring the security , 00:35.571 --> 00:37.571 the liberty , the prosperity of our 00:37.571 --> 00:39.682 people and people across the region . 00:39.980 --> 00:42.147 One of the alliance's enduring sources 00:42.147 --> 00:44.700 of strength is our ability to adapt it 00:44.710 --> 00:46.932 to meet the evolving challenges as well 00:46.932 --> 00:49.330 as the opportunities before us Japan's 00:49.330 --> 00:51.163 new national security strategy . 00:51.480 --> 00:53.950 National defense strategy and defense 00:53.950 --> 00:56.530 build up program reflect the scale and 00:56.530 --> 01:00.330 scope of that transformation . These 01:00.330 --> 01:02.320 new strategies make clear Japan's 01:02.320 --> 01:04.620 commitment to invest in enhancing its 01:04.620 --> 01:07.480 capabilities to take on new roles and 01:07.480 --> 01:10.000 foster even closer defense cooperation 01:10.000 --> 01:12.270 with the United States and our mutual 01:12.270 --> 01:15.120 partners . We applaud Japan's pledge to 01:15.120 --> 01:18.950 double defense spending by 2027 Japan 01:18.950 --> 01:21.520 strategies aligned closely with our own 01:21.520 --> 01:23.940 national security strategy , both in 01:23.940 --> 01:26.130 the key challenges that we identify as 01:26.130 --> 01:28.352 well , isn't how to effectively address 01:28.352 --> 01:30.352 them . We're committed to upholding 01:30.352 --> 01:32.297 shared values of democracy , human 01:32.297 --> 01:34.519 rights defending the international rule 01:34.519 --> 01:36.630 of law , continuing to lead the world 01:36.630 --> 01:38.741 in tackling global challenges that no 01:38.741 --> 01:40.797 one country can solve alone like the 01:40.797 --> 01:43.600 climate crisis and deadly viruses . We 01:43.600 --> 01:46.330 agree that the PRC is the greatest 01:46.340 --> 01:48.507 shared strategic challenge that we and 01:48.507 --> 01:50.729 our allies and partners face . We stand 01:50.729 --> 01:52.951 together with Ukraine against President 01:52.951 --> 01:54.840 Putin's war , which threatens the 01:54.840 --> 01:56.562 principles at the heart of the 01:56.562 --> 01:56.110 international rules based order , 01:56.120 --> 01:58.450 including that all nations should be 01:58.450 --> 02:00.561 able to chart their own path and have 02:00.561 --> 02:02.839 their sovereignty , their independence , 02:02.839 --> 02:05.430 the territorial integrity respected in 02:05.430 --> 02:07.708 the face of these and other challenges . 02:07.708 --> 02:10.190 Today we discuss ways to deepen our 02:10.190 --> 02:12.040 coordination including on allied 02:12.040 --> 02:14.096 command and control , intelligence , 02:14.096 --> 02:16.318 surveillance and reconnaissance , joint 02:16.318 --> 02:18.151 and shared usage of facilities , 02:18.151 --> 02:20.590 increased bilateral exercises more than 02:20.590 --> 02:22.780 ever before , were buttressing the US 02:22.780 --> 02:24.447 Japan alliance through deeper 02:24.447 --> 02:26.580 cooperation with other allies and 02:26.580 --> 02:28.990 partners through both regional and 02:29.000 --> 02:31.770 multilateral bodies . In the face of 02:31.770 --> 02:33.659 the DPRK is unlawful and reckless 02:33.659 --> 02:35.770 missile launches including the launch 02:35.770 --> 02:37.937 of a long range ballistic missile over 02:37.937 --> 02:40.103 Japan in october . We're deepening our 02:40.103 --> 02:41.881 trilateral cooperation with the 02:41.881 --> 02:43.770 republic of Korea to deter and if 02:43.770 --> 02:45.992 necessary , defend against aggression . 02:46.020 --> 02:47.964 That's a pledge the leaders of our 02:47.964 --> 02:50.020 three countries underscored in their 02:50.020 --> 02:52.131 november trilateral summit . Uh Today 02:52.131 --> 02:54.187 we held our first formal dialogue in 02:54.187 --> 02:56.250 this two plus two format on extended 02:56.250 --> 02:58.450 deterrence namely to enhance the 02:58.450 --> 03:00.570 capability and credibility of our 03:00.570 --> 03:02.737 allied defense against a wide range of 03:02.737 --> 03:05.700 threats . Uh in june of 2022 Prime 03:05.700 --> 03:07.589 Minister Kishida became the first 03:07.589 --> 03:09.922 Japanese leader to attend a NATO summit . 03:09.922 --> 03:11.922 Japan is spearheading the NATO asia 03:11.922 --> 03:13.978 pacific partners group demonstrating 03:13.978 --> 03:15.756 the growing synergy between our 03:15.756 --> 03:17.922 atlantic and pacific alliances . We're 03:17.922 --> 03:19.811 working together with our G seven 03:19.811 --> 03:21.533 partners to impose coordinated 03:21.533 --> 03:23.700 sanctions on Russia for its aggression 03:23.700 --> 03:25.922 in Ukraine and to help Ukraine repair , 03:25.922 --> 03:28.144 restore and defendants embattled energy 03:28.144 --> 03:30.033 grid . We look forward to Japan's 03:30.033 --> 03:29.390 leadership in driving an ambitious 03:29.390 --> 03:32.010 agenda on these and other priorities 03:32.020 --> 03:34.076 during its presidency of the G seven 03:34.076 --> 03:35.798 this year , culminating in the 03:35.798 --> 03:38.460 Hiroshima summit . Japan has also 03:38.460 --> 03:40.682 stepped up to help our european friends 03:40.682 --> 03:42.849 diversify their LNG supply in response 03:42.849 --> 03:44.960 to President Putin's weaponization of 03:44.960 --> 03:47.182 energy . We're working to advance peace 03:47.182 --> 03:49.238 and security through regional bodies 03:49.238 --> 03:51.404 like Asean , whose centrality is vital 03:51.404 --> 03:53.404 to the indo pacific and through the 03:53.404 --> 03:55.460 quad including by working with India 03:55.460 --> 03:57.349 and Australia to expand , we call 03:57.349 --> 03:59.349 maritime domain awareness basically 03:59.349 --> 04:01.920 giving our partners a better ability to 04:01.930 --> 04:04.090 detect and respond to challenges in 04:04.090 --> 04:06.201 their territorial waters like illegal 04:06.201 --> 04:08.312 fishing trafficking , climate related 04:08.312 --> 04:10.630 disasters at the United Nations were 04:10.630 --> 04:12.686 rallying member states to defend the 04:12.686 --> 04:14.519 rights at the core of the United 04:14.519 --> 04:16.630 Nations charter . It's been less than 04:16.630 --> 04:18.574 two weeks since Japan took its non 04:18.574 --> 04:20.463 permanent seat Security Council . 04:20.463 --> 04:22.630 Already , we see its leadership on key 04:22.630 --> 04:24.352 priorities like peace building 04:24.352 --> 04:26.820 Afghanistan and the ministerial that 04:26.820 --> 04:28.598 the foreign minister will chair 04:28.598 --> 04:30.910 tomorrow on the rule of law And because 04:30.910 --> 04:32.966 our national security strategy is so 04:32.966 --> 04:34.966 bound up in our economic and energy 04:34.966 --> 04:36.910 security . We're strengthening our 04:36.910 --> 04:39.132 cooperation in these fears as well . In 04:39.132 --> 04:41.354 May , we joined a dozen other economies 04:41.354 --> 04:43.354 that represent 40% of global GDP to 04:43.354 --> 04:45.188 launch the Indo Pacific Economic 04:45.188 --> 04:47.410 Framework , which sets out a roadmap to 04:47.410 --> 04:49.354 help our economies grow faster and 04:49.354 --> 04:51.410 fairer so that all of our people can 04:51.410 --> 04:53.632 reach their full potential . Last month 04:53.632 --> 04:55.854 we kicked off the first Japan US Energy 04:55.854 --> 04:57.688 security Dialogue tomorrow . Our 04:57.688 --> 04:59.910 governments will co host the fifth indo 04:59.910 --> 05:02.280 pacific business forum in Tokyo . We're 05:02.280 --> 05:04.336 constantly expanding the horizons of 05:04.336 --> 05:06.900 our cooperation beyond even our planet . 05:06.910 --> 05:09.460 Uh later this week um Foreign minister 05:09.460 --> 05:11.571 and I will sign a new agreement on US 05:11.571 --> 05:13.650 Japan cooperation in space . This 05:13.650 --> 05:15.594 agreement has been a decade in the 05:15.594 --> 05:17.539 making . It covers everything from 05:17.539 --> 05:19.650 joint research to working together to 05:19.650 --> 05:21.594 land the first woman and person of 05:21.594 --> 05:24.030 color on the moon . The bottom line is 05:24.030 --> 05:27.300 this , we and our people are always 05:27.300 --> 05:29.650 stronger and more secure . Together 05:29.660 --> 05:32.200 today we've taken yet another step 05:32.210 --> 05:34.266 toward tightening already incredibly 05:34.266 --> 05:37.540 strong bonds with that . Yogi is yours . 05:38.430 --> 05:42.280 Secretary 05:42.280 --> 05:44.280 Blinken . Secretary Austin Minister 05:44.280 --> 05:47.130 Hamad Al and I have just come out of 05:47.140 --> 05:49.780 the Japan US two plus two meeting which 05:49.790 --> 05:52.780 we had in person where we engaged in 05:52.780 --> 05:55.180 extremely meaningful exchange of views 05:55.190 --> 05:57.590 during the past year Since the previous 05:57.590 --> 06:00.710 two plus two meeting , Russia's 06:00.710 --> 06:03.040 aggression of Ukraine . An event that 06:03.040 --> 06:05.207 shakes the foundation of international 06:05.207 --> 06:07.740 order occurred , placing the 06:07.740 --> 06:09.960 international community at historical 06:09.960 --> 06:13.950 crossroads in the midst of elevated 06:13.950 --> 06:16.370 severity in the security environment . 06:16.380 --> 06:19.290 Today's Japan US two plus two took 06:19.290 --> 06:22.130 place at a time in shortly after the 06:22.130 --> 06:24.420 release of strategic documents by both 06:24.420 --> 06:27.330 countries . Today's meeting delivered 06:27.340 --> 06:29.660 three major outcomes and let me go 06:29.660 --> 06:32.670 through them one by one first based on 06:32.670 --> 06:34.614 the strategic documents of our two 06:34.614 --> 06:37.140 countries . We were able to hold in 06:37.140 --> 06:39.586 depth discussions to to confirm the 06:39.586 --> 06:42.296 alignment of the recognition on both 06:42.296 --> 06:44.416 sides over the regional strategic 06:44.416 --> 06:47.506 environment thoroughly and in detail . 06:47.536 --> 06:49.706 Specifically , first of all on china 06:49.716 --> 06:51.938 china presents an unprecedented and the 06:51.938 --> 06:53.996 greatest strategic challenge . Its 06:53.996 --> 06:56.166 foreign policy to recreate 06:56.206 --> 06:58.317 international order to serve its self 06:58.317 --> 07:00.317 interest is a great concern for the 07:00.317 --> 07:02.484 Japan US alliance and for the whole of 07:02.484 --> 07:04.736 the international community . Upon 07:04.736 --> 07:06.903 confer forming such shared recognition 07:06.903 --> 07:09.402 when confirmed that Japan and the U . S . 07:09.412 --> 07:12.182 Will continue to be united in raising 07:12.192 --> 07:14.359 objections against china's attempts to 07:14.359 --> 07:17.072 change status quo in the east china sea , 07:17.082 --> 07:19.222 including its behavior that seeks to 07:19.232 --> 07:21.882 undermine long ears of administration 07:21.882 --> 07:24.662 by Japan of the Senkaku islands . We 07:24.662 --> 07:27.042 also confirmed our strong opposition 07:27.052 --> 07:29.702 against unlawful claims and coercive 07:29.712 --> 07:32.850 and provocative efforts and actions by 07:32.850 --> 07:35.350 china in the south China sea . We 07:35.360 --> 07:37.527 reaffirmed that the basic positions of 07:37.527 --> 07:39.638 our two countries over Taiwan remains 07:39.638 --> 07:41.804 unchanged and confirmed the importance 07:41.804 --> 07:43.916 of maintaining peace and stability of 07:43.916 --> 07:45.749 the Taiwan streets , which is an 07:45.749 --> 07:47.804 essential element for the safety and 07:47.804 --> 07:49.582 prosperity of the international 07:49.582 --> 07:51.471 community . At the same time , we 07:51.471 --> 07:53.471 concur that there have not been any 07:53.471 --> 07:55.582 changes to our policies to strengthen 07:55.582 --> 07:57.804 communication with china , including in 07:57.804 --> 07:59.804 the area of security on Russia . We 07:59.804 --> 08:01.916 reaffirmed our notion that aggression 08:01.916 --> 08:03.916 of Ukraine shakes the Foundation of 08:03.916 --> 08:06.082 International Order accused Russia for 08:06.082 --> 08:07.971 its reckless nuclear rhetoric and 08:07.971 --> 08:10.193 attacks against civilian infrastructure 08:10.193 --> 08:12.249 and concurred to continue our strong 08:12.249 --> 08:14.360 support to Ukraine . In addition , we 08:14.360 --> 08:17.430 shared our concern over the enhanced 08:17.440 --> 08:19.607 military cooperation between china and 08:19.607 --> 08:21.662 Russia . Further on north Korea , we 08:21.662 --> 08:24.080 strongly accused them for the launch of 08:24.090 --> 08:26.312 ballistic missiles during the past year 08:26.312 --> 08:28.110 at unprecedented frequency and 08:28.110 --> 08:30.310 reaffirmed our unwavering commitment 08:30.310 --> 08:33.575 towards the camp ization of North Korea 08:33.575 --> 08:35.464 based on U . N . Security Council 08:35.464 --> 08:37.995 resolutions . With our positions 08:38.005 --> 08:39.838 perfectly aligned . We agreed to 08:39.838 --> 08:41.894 continue to work closely together in 08:41.894 --> 08:44.005 responding to the north Korea issue , 08:44.005 --> 08:45.949 including the pursuit of immediate 08:45.949 --> 08:47.505 resolution of the abduction 08:47.505 --> 08:51.725 issue . 08:53.700 --> 08:55.910 We agreed about deepening the 08:55.910 --> 08:58.830 trilateral cooperation between the 08:58.840 --> 09:00.618 three countries . Secondly , we 09:00.618 --> 09:02.570 affirmed the further endeavors to 09:02.580 --> 09:04.580 bolster the deterrence and response 09:04.580 --> 09:06.802 capabilities of the Japan US alliance . 09:06.802 --> 09:08.969 In view of the new strategies based on 09:08.969 --> 09:10.802 the increasingly severe security 09:10.802 --> 09:13.265 environment by welcomed the U . S . 09:13.265 --> 09:15.376 Resolve to optimize the force posture 09:15.376 --> 09:17.598 in the indo pacific including Japan and 09:17.598 --> 09:19.209 we decided to continue close 09:19.209 --> 09:21.505 consultation how to further optimize 09:21.645 --> 09:23.589 the U . S . Force posture in Japan 09:23.589 --> 09:25.923 including the readjustment of the U . S . 09:25.923 --> 09:28.945 F . J . Alignment announced this 09:28.965 --> 09:32.840 time extended deterrence was one of 09:32.840 --> 09:36.010 the agenda and there was in depth 09:36.020 --> 09:38.090 discussions at the ministerial level 09:38.090 --> 09:40.820 spending some time having discussed 09:40.830 --> 09:43.600 that we reaffirmed the strong US 09:43.600 --> 09:45.590 commitment to the defense of Japan 09:45.840 --> 09:48.730 underpinned by the full range of U . S . 09:48.730 --> 09:50.563 Capabilities including nuclear . 09:50.563 --> 09:53.890 Furthermore , there was an affirmation 09:53.890 --> 09:56.112 of strong support by the U . S . On the 09:56.112 --> 09:58.334 new security policy of Japan in that it 09:58.334 --> 10:00.810 will fundamentally reinforce that the 10:00.810 --> 10:02.977 terrorist capability of the alliance . 10:02.977 --> 10:04.699 In addition , we agreed on the 10:04.699 --> 10:06.921 importance of deepening our cooperation 10:06.921 --> 10:08.921 in the areas of space and cyber the 10:08.921 --> 10:11.088 promotion of technological cooperation 10:11.088 --> 10:12.699 and further strengthening of 10:12.699 --> 10:14.921 information security . The fact that we 10:14.921 --> 10:17.088 were able to agree on the announcement 10:17.088 --> 10:19.310 of the applicability of article five of 10:19.310 --> 10:21.532 the Japan US Security treaty on attacks 10:21.532 --> 10:23.754 and others in outer space . Outer space 10:23.754 --> 10:25.921 was a significant achievement in terms 10:25.921 --> 10:27.866 of the reinforcement of deterrence 10:27.866 --> 10:30.088 capability of the alliance as a whole . 10:30.088 --> 10:32.199 Thirdly , we once again affirmed that 10:32.199 --> 10:34.143 the importance of the reduction of 10:34.143 --> 10:34.030 impact on the local communities 10:34.030 --> 10:36.310 including Okinawa . We also reaffirmed 10:36.310 --> 10:38.450 that in order to avoid the continued 10:38.450 --> 10:40.810 use of Marine Corps air station futenma . 10:40.820 --> 10:43.870 The relocation to Hanako is the only 10:43.880 --> 10:47.250 solution but furthermore , I once again 10:47.260 --> 10:49.340 requested the U . S . Side on safe 10:49.340 --> 10:51.562 operations with utmost consideration to 10:51.562 --> 10:54.080 the impact on the local committees , 10:55.620 --> 10:57.564 appropriate responses to incidents 10:57.564 --> 10:59.787 accidents including sharing information 10:59.787 --> 11:02.009 in a timely manner and on environmental 11:02.009 --> 11:03.731 issues and confirmed our close 11:03.731 --> 11:06.210 coordination the joint announcement . 11:06.220 --> 11:08.387 The joint statement issued as a result 11:08.387 --> 11:10.553 of this two plus two is a presentation 11:10.553 --> 11:12.720 of the vision of a modernized alliance 11:12.720 --> 11:15.260 to acquire the posture to win in the 11:15.260 --> 11:18.520 new area of strategic competition . The 11:18.520 --> 11:20.576 vision will be executed speedily and 11:20.576 --> 11:22.798 together with Minister Hamada Secretary 11:22.798 --> 11:25.000 Blinken and Secretary Austin , we will 11:25.000 --> 11:27.590 constantly bolster the Japan US 11:27.600 --> 11:30.840 alliance . Thank you . Yes , 11:32.480 --> 11:34.702 well good afternoon everyone and thanks 11:34.702 --> 11:37.390 to everyone for being here at the 11:37.390 --> 11:39.470 outset , let me thank my friend and 11:39.470 --> 11:41.550 colleague , Secretary Blinken for 11:41.550 --> 11:45.330 hosting . Today's US Japan two plus two 11:45.330 --> 11:47.330 ministerial meeting . Thanks Tony . 11:47.810 --> 11:51.230 Minister Yamana Minister Hayashi , I 11:51.230 --> 11:53.960 want to _ my support for the bold 11:53.960 --> 11:56.820 decisions that Japan has made in your 11:56.820 --> 12:00.150 2022 National Security Strategy , 12:00.960 --> 12:04.080 your national defense strategy and your 12:04.080 --> 12:07.130 defense build up program . There is 12:07.130 --> 12:09.241 clear strategic alignment between the 12:09.241 --> 12:11.700 visions of President Biden and Prime 12:11.700 --> 12:15.240 Minister Kishida . It is a shared 12:15.240 --> 12:17.350 commitment to uphold the rules based 12:17.360 --> 12:20.080 international order and to strengthen 12:20.080 --> 12:22.560 resilient partnerships around the globe 12:23.750 --> 12:27.340 and the essential US Japan alliance is 12:27.340 --> 12:30.780 at the center of these efforts . Our 12:30.780 --> 12:33.002 respective defense strategies provide a 12:33.002 --> 12:36.030 strong foundation for our ongoing work 12:36.030 --> 12:39.270 to modernize the US Japan 12:39.280 --> 12:42.290 alliance . In addition , Japan's 12:42.290 --> 12:45.240 commitments to substantially increase 12:45.250 --> 12:47.960 its defense spending and to invest in 12:47.960 --> 12:51.390 defense institutions and infrastructure 12:51.390 --> 12:55.010 and capabilities will accelerate our 12:55.010 --> 12:57.850 alliance's efforts . You know , I'm 12:57.850 --> 12:59.961 grateful that we're meeting at such a 12:59.961 --> 13:03.120 consequential time as Japan strengthens 13:03.120 --> 13:06.180 its own defense and further contributes 13:06.180 --> 13:09.320 to regional peace and stability . 13:10.500 --> 13:13.580 Today we welcomed an historic alliance 13:13.580 --> 13:16.090 decision to optimize US force posture 13:16.090 --> 13:19.260 in Japan by forward stationing 13:19.860 --> 13:22.580 more versatile mobile and resilient 13:22.590 --> 13:25.310 capabilities . These actions will 13:25.310 --> 13:27.366 bolster deterrence in the region and 13:27.366 --> 13:30.480 allow us to defend Japan and its people 13:30.490 --> 13:34.420 more effectively in an increase in 13:34.420 --> 13:36.900 an increasingly challenging security 13:36.900 --> 13:39.600 environment . We've decided that the 13:39.600 --> 13:41.830 12th artillery regiment would remain in 13:41.830 --> 13:45.740 Japan and be reorganized into the 13:45.740 --> 13:48.680 12th Marine Littoral Regiment by 13:48.680 --> 13:52.030 2025 , We will equip this new 13:52.030 --> 13:54.720 formation with advanced intelligence , 13:54.730 --> 13:56.700 surveillance , surveillance , and 13:56.700 --> 13:59.390 reconnaissance , as well as anti ship 13:59.400 --> 14:02.050 and transportation capabilities that 14:02.050 --> 14:04.920 are relevant to the current and future 14:04.920 --> 14:08.360 threat environments . These posture 14:08.360 --> 14:10.560 updates , adhere to the basic tenants 14:10.570 --> 14:13.810 of the 2012 realignment plan and they 14:13.810 --> 14:16.190 will strengthen our alliances ability 14:16.190 --> 14:18.830 to maintain regional peace and 14:18.830 --> 14:22.410 stability . We also discussed updating 14:22.410 --> 14:24.410 our alliances roles and missions so 14:24.410 --> 14:27.700 that Japan can more actively contribute 14:27.700 --> 14:30.840 to regional security alongside the 14:30.840 --> 14:33.130 United States and other like minded 14:33.130 --> 14:36.270 partners . And so in our meeting today , 14:36.270 --> 14:39.940 we strongly endorse Japan's decision to 14:39.940 --> 14:43.430 acquire a counter strike capability and 14:43.430 --> 14:45.650 we affirm that close coordination on 14:45.650 --> 14:48.190 employing this capability will 14:48.190 --> 14:50.800 strengthen the US Japan alliance . 14:52.080 --> 14:54.030 We also discussed a number of key 14:54.030 --> 14:57.550 issues including our shared interest in 14:57.550 --> 15:00.000 peace and stability in the east and 15:00.000 --> 15:03.480 south china seas and around Taiwan 15:04.830 --> 15:07.210 and our commitment to d to the 15:07.210 --> 15:10.440 denuclearization of north Korea in our 15:10.440 --> 15:12.500 efforts to increase multilateral 15:12.500 --> 15:16.110 cooperation with the Republic of Korea , 15:16.120 --> 15:18.540 Australia and other like minded 15:18.540 --> 15:22.070 partners in our growing cooperation 15:22.080 --> 15:25.450 across all domains , including space 15:25.450 --> 15:28.340 and cyber . Now , as you've heard me 15:28.340 --> 15:31.500 say before , the people's Republic of 15:31.500 --> 15:33.611 China is the pacing challenge for the 15:33.611 --> 15:36.210 Department of Defense . Japan and the 15:36.210 --> 15:38.154 United States remain united in our 15:38.154 --> 15:41.400 concern over china's destabilizing 15:41.410 --> 15:44.200 actions and I want to reaffirm the 15:44.200 --> 15:47.170 United States ironclad commitment to 15:47.170 --> 15:49.600 defend Japan with the full range of 15:49.600 --> 15:53.000 capabilities including nuclear 15:53.620 --> 15:56.890 and underscore that article five of the 15:56.890 --> 16:00.470 mutual security treaty applies to the 16:00.480 --> 16:04.230 Senkaku islands and tomorrow 16:04.240 --> 16:06.360 Minister Hamada and I will sign new 16:06.360 --> 16:09.160 arrangements that will increase 16:09.160 --> 16:11.327 opportunities for the Japanese and the 16:11.327 --> 16:14.120 United States defense Enterprises to 16:14.120 --> 16:17.160 closely cooperate on advanced 16:17.160 --> 16:19.170 technologies as well as increased 16:19.170 --> 16:22.430 linkages between our respective 16:22.440 --> 16:25.400 industrial basis . In our close 16:25.400 --> 16:28.580 consultations today have advanced our 16:28.580 --> 16:30.620 alliances efforts to address common 16:30.620 --> 16:33.300 challenges ahead of President Biden and 16:33.300 --> 16:36.040 Prime Minister Khurshid . As meeting at 16:36.040 --> 16:39.650 the White House this week , I'll close 16:39.650 --> 16:42.330 by reiterating that the US Japan 16:42.330 --> 16:45.210 alliance remains the cornerstone of our 16:45.220 --> 16:48.430 indo pacific strategy and it's critical 16:48.430 --> 16:52.330 to upholding a free , an open regional 16:52.340 --> 16:55.550 order . Our alliance is stronger than 16:55.550 --> 16:58.180 ever , building on a foundation of 16:58.190 --> 17:01.990 teamwork trust and shared values that 17:02.000 --> 17:04.730 that has underpinned our relationship 17:04.740 --> 17:08.230 for decades . So there is no challenge 17:08.230 --> 17:11.020 that we can overcome if we continue to 17:11.020 --> 17:14.040 work shoulder to shoulder . Thank you 17:20.720 --> 17:23.870 at the outset , I extend my deepest 17:23.870 --> 17:25.814 appreciation to Secretary Austin , 17:25.814 --> 17:28.092 Secretary Blinken and members of the U . 17:28.092 --> 17:30.037 S . Side for having organized this 17:30.037 --> 17:32.200 meeting . My three colleagues have 17:32.200 --> 17:34.360 already mentioned the severity of the 17:34.360 --> 17:37.020 security environment surrounding us as 17:37.020 --> 17:38.742 we live in this age of intense 17:38.742 --> 17:41.610 competition in order to sustain a new 17:41.620 --> 17:44.650 rule rules based international order 17:44.660 --> 17:47.180 and free and open in the pacific the 17:47.190 --> 17:49.540 role that the Japan US alliance must 17:49.540 --> 17:52.630 play has never been so enormous . The 17:52.630 --> 17:54.297 national security and defense 17:54.297 --> 17:56.640 strategies of our two countries that 17:56.650 --> 17:58.706 have been prepared most recently are 17:58.706 --> 18:00.706 highly consistent at a degree never 18:00.706 --> 18:03.990 seen before and will serve as a strong 18:04.000 --> 18:06.280 infrastructure for our bilateral 18:06.280 --> 18:08.870 cooperation . What is noteworthy is the 18:08.870 --> 18:11.940 importance attached to attached by both 18:11.940 --> 18:14.230 countries to integrate all means and 18:14.240 --> 18:16.760 approaches to deter a situation from 18:16.770 --> 18:19.090 occurring alignment of oppositions as 18:19.090 --> 18:21.370 such has been significant at the same 18:21.370 --> 18:23.370 time , strategies don't end by just 18:23.370 --> 18:25.592 preparing them in light of the severity 18:25.592 --> 18:27.537 of the security environment . Both 18:27.537 --> 18:29.592 Japan and the U . S . Is expected to 18:29.592 --> 18:31.426 put their strategies into action 18:31.426 --> 18:34.490 swiftly and steadily based on the new 18:34.490 --> 18:36.820 strategy . In order to expeditiously 18:36.820 --> 18:38.931 achieve the fundamental reinforcement 18:38.931 --> 18:41.110 of Japan's defense capabilities . I am 18:41.110 --> 18:43.340 committed to making maximum efforts to 18:43.340 --> 18:45.690 gain new capabilities including counter 18:45.690 --> 18:47.800 strike capability and to enhance 18:47.810 --> 18:50.840 persistent welfare capability . I am 18:50.840 --> 18:52.951 much encouraged by the strong support 18:52.951 --> 18:55.173 shown by Secretary Austin and Secretary 18:55.173 --> 18:57.120 blink as I shared with them such 18:57.130 --> 18:59.430 resolve , Japan and the US must 18:59.430 --> 19:01.319 properly engage in discussions on 19:01.319 --> 19:03.263 strengthening partnership . During 19:03.263 --> 19:05.319 today's consultations , we agreed on 19:05.319 --> 19:07.430 the need to realize division of roles 19:07.430 --> 19:09.652 and missions , assuming the fundamental 19:09.652 --> 19:11.486 reinforcement of Japan's defense 19:11.486 --> 19:13.708 capabilities . The four of us agreed to 19:13.708 --> 19:15.541 promote initiatives in extensive 19:15.541 --> 19:17.652 various including effective operation 19:17.652 --> 19:19.597 of counter strike ability based on 19:19.597 --> 19:21.708 bilateral cooperation , strengthening 19:21.708 --> 19:23.763 collaboration in space and cyber and 19:23.763 --> 19:25.930 deepening cooperation in equipment and 19:25.930 --> 19:28.041 technology . We also agreed to deepen 19:28.041 --> 19:30.550 cooperation with partners 19:30.560 --> 19:33.930 including Australia Rok 19:34.480 --> 19:36.810 and europe . To expand partnership 19:36.820 --> 19:40.660 based on our alliance 19:41.160 --> 19:44.400 regarding the increasingly important 19:44.410 --> 19:47.050 extended deterrence in the region . I 19:47.050 --> 19:49.310 have listened to the extensive 19:49.320 --> 19:51.570 viewpoints of the U . S . From 19:51.570 --> 19:54.320 Secretary Austin based on that in order 19:54.320 --> 19:56.487 for the U . S . Extended deterrence to 19:56.487 --> 19:58.850 be even more reliable and resilient . 19:58.860 --> 20:01.610 We discussed what the two countries 20:01.620 --> 20:04.590 need to do in order to 20:05.820 --> 20:08.880 optimize that the U . S . Force posture 20:08.880 --> 20:11.160 in Japan . The commentary alignment 20:11.170 --> 20:15.140 plan was coordinated in 2012 20:15.150 --> 20:17.330 but in order to deal with the 20:17.330 --> 20:18.941 increasingly severe security 20:18.941 --> 20:20.941 environment , both Japan and the US 20:20.941 --> 20:23.163 have decided to readjust the plan while 20:23.163 --> 20:24.997 maintaining the fund fundamental 20:24.997 --> 20:26.997 principles keeping the third Marine 20:26.997 --> 20:29.220 Division command and the 12 marines 20:29.220 --> 20:31.930 littoral regiment in Okinawa will allow 20:31.930 --> 20:35.070 the forward deployed US force posture 20:35.080 --> 20:38.270 to have more versatile capabilities , 20:38.270 --> 20:41.980 be more resilient and more mobile . 20:42.530 --> 20:44.310 This effort will significantly 20:44.310 --> 20:46.421 strengthen the deterrent and response 20:46.421 --> 20:48.660 capabilities of the Japan US alliance 20:48.670 --> 20:50.500 and at the same time it will 20:50.510 --> 20:52.610 demonstrate the robust commitment of 20:52.610 --> 20:55.550 the U . S . To the defense of Japan . 20:55.720 --> 20:58.560 In order to execute these plans . We 20:58.560 --> 21:02.470 will coordinate closely with the 21:02.470 --> 21:05.570 U . S . Side . I also mentioned that 21:05.580 --> 21:07.810 for the stable stationing and 21:07.810 --> 21:09.980 activities of U . S . F . J . The 21:09.980 --> 21:12.147 understanding by the local communities 21:12.147 --> 21:14.610 such as Okinawa is crucial . We will 21:14.610 --> 21:17.130 continue to work on the reduction of 21:17.140 --> 21:20.440 impact on Okinawa . It was extremely 21:20.440 --> 21:24.170 significant that at a timing 21:24.180 --> 21:26.520 so soon after the two countries had 21:26.520 --> 21:28.970 formulated the strategic documents that 21:28.970 --> 21:31.192 will guide the future national security 21:31.192 --> 21:33.137 and defense policies that the four 21:33.137 --> 21:35.248 ministers responsible for defense and 21:35.248 --> 21:37.470 foreign policy got together and had the 21:37.470 --> 21:39.359 opportunity to engage in in depth 21:39.359 --> 21:41.470 discussions on how to implement their 21:41.470 --> 21:43.637 respective strategy ? I shall continue 21:43.637 --> 21:47.070 the discussions in order to bolster our 21:47.080 --> 21:48.440 alliance . Thank you . 21:54.430 --> 21:56.597 We will start with Shaun Tandon of the 22:00.000 --> 22:02.056 Hi there , good evening . Thanks for 22:02.056 --> 22:03.944 this . Um uh can I follow up on a 22:03.944 --> 22:05.667 couple of things that you just 22:05.667 --> 22:07.667 announced speaking about the marine 22:07.667 --> 22:09.611 littoral regiment ? Um both of the 22:09.611 --> 22:11.556 defense , the Defense Secretary of 22:11.556 --> 22:13.722 Defense Minister spoke of the increase 22:13.722 --> 22:15.500 in the increasingly challenging 22:15.500 --> 22:17.500 security environment . Could you be 22:17.500 --> 22:17.080 more specific in what you're responding 22:17.080 --> 22:19.230 to ? Is it specifically china ? Is 22:19.230 --> 22:21.174 these , are these contingencies in 22:21.174 --> 22:23.230 Taiwan or potentially in the Senkaku 22:23.230 --> 22:25.341 islands North Korea . Uh and also you 22:25.341 --> 22:27.563 mentioned the impact in Okinawa . Uh is 22:27.563 --> 22:29.452 there any concern that this could 22:29.452 --> 22:31.674 aggravate tensions locally in Okinawa ? 22:31.674 --> 22:33.786 Will this result in a net increase in 22:33.786 --> 22:35.952 the forces there ? Um and if you don't 22:35.952 --> 22:37.952 mind , could also ask about space , 22:37.952 --> 22:40.008 there's been some reports that space 22:40.008 --> 22:42.008 will now be included as part of the 22:42.008 --> 22:44.230 defense partnership . Could you comment 22:44.230 --> 22:46.341 on that ? Uh , on the american side , 22:46.341 --> 22:46.090 if you don't , if you don't mind a 22:46.090 --> 22:48.201 couple of questions that are a little 22:48.201 --> 22:50.360 bit off topic uh to Secretary Austin 22:50.380 --> 22:53.450 the situation Ukraine solid or um 22:53.460 --> 22:55.404 there's been lots of reports . The 22:55.404 --> 22:57.830 Wagner group has claimed to control it . 22:57.860 --> 22:59.860 There's been another shakeup in the 22:59.860 --> 23:02.027 Russian military command . What do you 23:02.027 --> 23:04.027 make of this ? Uh do you think that 23:04.027 --> 23:06.193 it's fallen . What significance do you 23:06.193 --> 23:08.360 see ? Uh Secretary blinked a couple of 23:08.360 --> 23:10.582 days ago , you're just in latin America 23:10.582 --> 23:12.582 yesterday but couple of days ago in 23:12.582 --> 23:14.804 brazil , there was of course the uh the 23:14.804 --> 23:16.804 unrest , former President bolsonaro 23:16.804 --> 23:16.730 remains in the United States . There's 23:16.730 --> 23:18.730 been some calls from the Democratic 23:18.730 --> 23:20.786 Party to make a personal non grata . 23:20.786 --> 23:22.897 How terrible is it to for him to stay 23:22.897 --> 23:25.119 in florida ? Uh , despite what happened 23:25.119 --> 23:27.063 a couple of days ago in brasilia . 23:27.063 --> 23:29.410 Thanks very much . You wanna start ? 23:32.380 --> 23:34.740 So I lost , I lost count on a number of 23:34.740 --> 23:36.962 questions , but we'll try to knock them 23:36.962 --> 23:39.184 down if we miss miss one and then we'll 23:39.184 --> 23:41.750 double back first . Let me begin with 23:41.760 --> 23:44.060 the question you asked on solid are and 23:44.060 --> 23:46.990 whether or not it's fallen to uh to the 23:46.990 --> 23:49.350 Russians , uh , at this point , we 23:49.350 --> 23:51.930 can't corroborate that reporting . Of 23:51.930 --> 23:54.090 course , I've seen seen some of that 23:54.090 --> 23:56.780 reporting . Uh , but you know that this 23:56.780 --> 23:59.610 has been a very fluid , dynamic 23:59.620 --> 24:02.070 environment , dynamic fight in that 24:02.070 --> 24:04.670 area . It's gone back and forth a 24:04.680 --> 24:07.370 number of times and it it really is uh , 24:07.380 --> 24:09.980 some pretty brutal fighting . But the 24:09.980 --> 24:13.050 Ukrainians have uh acquitted themselves 24:13.050 --> 24:15.660 very , very uh , in a , in a very 24:15.660 --> 24:18.360 impressive fashion as they fought a 24:18.360 --> 24:20.510 very continued to fight a very 24:20.520 --> 24:23.960 determined fight . Uh , we are focused 24:23.960 --> 24:26.460 on doing everything we can to help make 24:26.460 --> 24:28.430 sure that Ukrainians have the 24:28.430 --> 24:30.950 capabilities that they need to be 24:30.950 --> 24:33.360 successful in their efforts to defend 24:33.360 --> 24:35.527 their sovereign territory . You know , 24:35.527 --> 24:37.638 we've been uh we we talked , I talked 24:37.638 --> 24:40.500 to my counterpart routinely , Uh we're 24:40.500 --> 24:42.611 gonna conduct another Ukraine contact 24:42.620 --> 24:44.980 group , defense contact group meeting 24:44.990 --> 24:48.120 uh next week in Germany where we'll get 24:48.120 --> 24:51.190 another , we'll get 50 or so uh 24:51.200 --> 24:54.090 ministers of defense together to talk 24:54.090 --> 24:56.890 about what Ukraine's needs are now and 24:56.900 --> 24:59.011 what they need to be successful going 24:59.011 --> 25:01.150 forward . So you've heard us say over 25:01.150 --> 25:03.372 and over again that that we're going to 25:03.372 --> 25:05.594 support Ukraine for as long as it takes 25:05.594 --> 25:07.817 and from everything that I can see from 25:07.817 --> 25:09.983 our allies and partners , uh they feel 25:09.983 --> 25:12.430 the same way . So we remain united in 25:12.430 --> 25:15.390 our efforts on the marine littoral 25:15.390 --> 25:19.290 regiment . Uh we believe that this 25:19.290 --> 25:22.620 brings this , this capability brings uh 25:22.630 --> 25:26.310 a tremendous capability to the to the 25:26.310 --> 25:29.130 alliance . We're replacing uh an 25:29.130 --> 25:31.540 artillery regiment with an outfit 25:31.540 --> 25:34.930 that's uh that's more lethal , uh more 25:34.940 --> 25:38.470 more agile , uh more capable . And as 25:38.470 --> 25:40.637 you have seen from , you know , what's 25:40.637 --> 25:42.880 been published on this on this 25:42.880 --> 25:44.991 particular formation , it consists of 25:44.991 --> 25:48.420 uh a combat element which is a 25:48.420 --> 25:51.160 battalion sized element , a long range 25:51.160 --> 25:54.370 fires element which allows us to gives 25:54.370 --> 25:56.426 us an anti ship capability , which I 25:56.426 --> 25:59.490 think is is very , very important and 25:59.490 --> 26:02.520 also a logistical element that helps 26:02.520 --> 26:06.050 sustain the the overall regiment there . 26:06.050 --> 26:08.510 So um I think this is going to 26:08.510 --> 26:11.290 contribute in a major way in our 26:11.290 --> 26:13.850 efforts to help defend Japan and also 26:13.850 --> 26:17.740 promote a uh free and open indo 26:17.740 --> 26:19.880 pacific and that's really our focus . 26:19.890 --> 26:22.060 You know , Japan , we share a common 26:22.060 --> 26:24.710 vision with Japan to to maintain a free 26:24.710 --> 26:26.890 and open indo pacific and all the 26:26.890 --> 26:29.480 things that we're doing uh you know , 26:29.490 --> 26:32.830 points towards that direction . So I'm 26:32.830 --> 26:36.310 gonna stop there and allow Minister 26:36.320 --> 26:38.830 Hamada to comment if you'd like , 26:42.240 --> 26:43.518 you know , quite ahead 26:48.240 --> 26:52.150 regarding the 26:52.160 --> 26:55.900 current topic . Position is 26:55.910 --> 26:58.940 in Okinawa , there are 26:58.940 --> 27:02.270 realignment and many other comments 27:02.280 --> 27:04.810 referred to with regard to these 27:04.820 --> 27:08.470 aspects we understand and together with 27:08.470 --> 27:11.070 the US forces including the 27:11.070 --> 27:13.900 coordination , our discussion will have 27:13.900 --> 27:17.480 to take place at any 27:17.490 --> 27:20.650 rate regarding the matters in Okinawa , 27:20.820 --> 27:23.042 that there is the relationship with the 27:23.042 --> 27:25.153 local communities and we will have to 27:25.153 --> 27:28.050 continue our effort to explain in order 27:28.050 --> 27:30.550 to overcome these challenges . Thank 27:30.550 --> 27:33.750 you sean . Just to respond , I think to 27:33.750 --> 27:35.861 a couple of other questions you asked 27:35.861 --> 27:37.750 uh first in terms of the security 27:37.750 --> 27:39.861 environment that we're dealing with , 27:39.861 --> 27:42.028 There's I think it's no secret that it 27:42.028 --> 27:45.000 is more challenging one . Uh and we see 27:45.010 --> 27:47.760 uh different challenges to the status 27:47.760 --> 27:50.300 quo coming from uh different countries 27:50.310 --> 27:52.510 including china , including the dprk 27:52.520 --> 27:54.510 including of course Russia . Even 27:54.510 --> 27:56.677 though that aggression against Ukraine 27:56.677 --> 27:58.454 is happening in europe , it has 27:58.454 --> 28:00.454 profound implications for countries 28:00.454 --> 28:02.621 around the world , including in ASia , 28:02.621 --> 28:04.843 because this is not only a challenge to 28:04.843 --> 28:06.940 Ukraine and uh the lives and 28:06.940 --> 28:08.884 livelihoods of its people . It's a 28:08.884 --> 28:10.996 challenge to the entire international 28:10.996 --> 28:12.718 rules based order and the very 28:12.718 --> 28:14.718 principles that underlie that order 28:14.718 --> 28:16.884 that are so important in every part of 28:16.884 --> 28:19.051 the world sovereignty , independence , 28:19.051 --> 28:21.107 territorial integrity , the right to 28:21.107 --> 28:23.051 shape your own future . That's why 28:23.051 --> 28:24.996 Japan from day one has been such a 28:24.996 --> 28:27.440 strong partner uh with us and many 28:27.440 --> 28:30.090 other countries in seeking to uphold 28:30.100 --> 28:31.933 that order , whether it comes to 28:31.933 --> 28:33.933 Russia's aggression or in any other 28:33.933 --> 28:36.730 areas , um you asked about our 28:36.740 --> 28:39.080 cooperation in space , well there 28:39.090 --> 28:41.201 there's cooperation in cyberspace and 28:41.201 --> 28:43.257 there's cooperation in outer space . 28:43.257 --> 28:45.257 We'll be putting out a statement if 28:45.257 --> 28:47.423 it's not already out that reflects the 28:47.423 --> 28:47.300 additional steps that we've taken . But 28:47.300 --> 28:49.140 this is very significant . We're 28:49.140 --> 28:51.029 working to deepen our cooperation 28:51.029 --> 28:53.240 across every realm . Uh land , sea , 28:53.250 --> 28:56.160 air and yes , uh space cyber and an 28:56.160 --> 28:58.950 outer uh the outer space component of 28:58.950 --> 29:01.010 this is an important security and 29:01.010 --> 29:03.510 prosperity of of our alliance . We 29:03.510 --> 29:06.270 agreed as you've heard that attacks to 29:06.280 --> 29:09.590 from or within space present a clear 29:09.600 --> 29:12.330 challenge and we affirm that depending 29:12.330 --> 29:14.441 on the nature of those attacks , this 29:14.441 --> 29:16.663 could lead to the indication of Article 29:16.663 --> 29:18.830 five of our Japan US security treaty . 29:18.830 --> 29:20.941 That is significant . We'll sign as I 29:20.941 --> 29:22.997 mentioned a space agreement a little 29:22.997 --> 29:25.163 bit later this week at Nasa on cyber , 29:25.163 --> 29:27.440 we have emphasized the foundational 29:27.450 --> 29:30.080 importance of cybersecurity and 29:30.080 --> 29:32.330 information security for our alliance . 29:32.340 --> 29:34.451 We agreed there as well to deepen our 29:34.451 --> 29:36.451 collaboration . This is a challenge 29:36.451 --> 29:38.729 that we both face other countries face . 29:38.729 --> 29:40.618 It's important that we work on it 29:40.618 --> 29:42.729 together . We're all learning lessons 29:42.729 --> 29:44.896 uh in dealing with the challenges that 29:44.896 --> 29:47.350 come in cyberspace . Being able to 29:47.350 --> 29:50.190 share best practices . Being able to um 29:50.200 --> 29:52.311 support one another is more important 29:52.311 --> 29:54.311 than ever . We're also committed in 29:54.311 --> 29:56.311 that light to bolstering technology 29:56.311 --> 29:58.311 cooperation as well as making joint 29:58.311 --> 30:00.533 investments in emerging technologies to 30:00.533 --> 30:02.700 try to further sharpen the competitive 30:02.700 --> 30:05.080 edge of the alliance . Last last 30:05.080 --> 30:07.191 question is I've heard it with regard 30:07.191 --> 30:09.730 to brazil um as President biden told 30:09.730 --> 30:12.400 President lula , we stand with the 30:12.400 --> 30:14.470 people of brazil , we stand with 30:14.480 --> 30:17.600 brazil's democracy and its institutions . 30:17.610 --> 30:20.070 Um President will have an opportunity 30:20.070 --> 30:22.670 to confer directly and closely with 30:22.670 --> 30:24.780 President lula uh when he visits 30:24.780 --> 30:27.760 Washington in in early february . Uh 30:27.770 --> 30:29.992 and uh President look very much forward 30:29.992 --> 30:32.159 to that . Um President lula has called 30:32.159 --> 30:34.430 for an investigation of the events of 30:34.440 --> 30:36.420 january 8th . Uh I'm not gonna get 30:36.420 --> 30:38.587 ahead of that . We've not received any 30:38.587 --> 30:40.790 specific requests from Brazilian 30:40.790 --> 30:42.957 authorities . Of course if and when we 30:42.957 --> 30:44.790 do , we'll work expeditiously to 30:44.790 --> 30:47.900 respond as we always do . Uh and then 30:47.900 --> 30:49.844 with regard to individuals , we're 30:49.844 --> 30:51.678 talking now about people who are 30:51.678 --> 30:53.970 private citizens . Um we've heard 30:53.970 --> 30:55.970 various public statements that have 30:55.970 --> 30:58.026 been made by those individuals about 30:58.026 --> 31:00.192 their plans , but we really don't have 31:00.192 --> 31:01.803 anything to add and it's not 31:01.803 --> 31:03.859 appropriate for us to comment on any 31:03.859 --> 31:05.248 individual's visa status 31:10.710 --> 31:13.860 next from the japanese purse . 31:15.800 --> 31:16.856 Favorite company , 31:25.290 --> 31:29.150 my name is mickey of company . 31:29.160 --> 31:32.140 I have a question to both foreign and 31:32.140 --> 31:34.084 Defense ministers of Japan and the 31:34.084 --> 31:36.251 United States in East Asia . There are 31:36.251 --> 31:38.473 concerns of unilateral change of status 31:38.473 --> 31:40.529 quo by force and there are those who 31:40.529 --> 31:43.020 point out the Taiwan contingency risk 31:43.030 --> 31:46.880 uh you mentioned the Southwest defense 31:46.890 --> 31:50.760 uh bolstering but what agreement have 31:50.760 --> 31:52.840 you reached in the two plus two to 31:52.850 --> 31:55.070 upgrade the response and deterrence 31:55.070 --> 31:57.340 capability . And how will you go about 31:57.340 --> 31:59.229 in terms of integrated operations 31:59.229 --> 32:03.160 between SdF and U . S . Forces and in 32:03.170 --> 32:07.080 the renewed national security 32:07.080 --> 32:09.410 strategies , both countries position 32:09.420 --> 32:11.580 china as being a challenge for the 32:11.580 --> 32:13.636 international community . How do you 32:13.636 --> 32:15.858 assess the risk in terms of security by 32:15.858 --> 32:17.969 china in East Asia . And how will you 32:17.969 --> 32:20.230 respond first of all on nancy 32:20.230 --> 32:24.190 islands with security 32:24.190 --> 32:26.412 of the security environment surrounding 32:26.412 --> 32:28.840 Japan increasing in order to reinforce 32:28.840 --> 32:31.120 the defense of our nation , including 32:31.120 --> 32:33.287 the Nicene islands , strengthening the 32:33.287 --> 32:35.509 deterrence and response capabilities of 32:35.509 --> 32:37.398 our lines is an urgent mission at 32:37.398 --> 32:39.564 today's two plus two , we concurred on 32:39.564 --> 32:41.560 the decisive importance of joint 32:41.570 --> 32:44.480 initiatives at peacetime to deter armed 32:44.480 --> 32:47.930 attack against and attacks that 32:47.940 --> 32:50.760 undermine regional stability 32:51.640 --> 32:54.860 based on such shared recognition . The 32:54.860 --> 32:58.420 joint statement issued today refers to 32:58.420 --> 33:01.220 concrete initiatives for example , in 33:01.220 --> 33:04.160 the area including the nancy islands . 33:04.170 --> 33:07.080 Joint use of Japan U . S . Facilities 33:07.080 --> 33:09.600 will be expanded and joint exercises 33:09.600 --> 33:11.920 and training will be increased 33:12.530 --> 33:15.340 on Taliban . 33:16.890 --> 33:19.170 I refrain from responding to a 33:19.170 --> 33:21.830 hypothetical question on contingency in 33:21.830 --> 33:24.390 Taiwan . It has been the consistent 33:24.390 --> 33:26.223 policy of Japan , that peace and 33:26.223 --> 33:28.168 stability of the Taiwan straits is 33:28.168 --> 33:30.279 important not only for Japan security 33:30.279 --> 33:32.560 but also for the stability of the 33:32.560 --> 33:34.616 international community at large and 33:34.616 --> 33:36.560 that we hope to see Taiwan related 33:36.560 --> 33:38.671 issues be resolved peacefully through 33:38.671 --> 33:42.230 dialogue now on china . As explicitly 33:42.230 --> 33:44.397 mentioned in the new national security 33:44.397 --> 33:48.020 strategy , present external posture and 33:48.030 --> 33:50.700 military orientation of china are grave 33:50.700 --> 33:53.600 concerns for Japan and the 33:53.610 --> 33:56.110 international community . As we strive 33:56.110 --> 33:58.277 to secure peace and stability of Japan 33:58.277 --> 34:00.277 and the international community and 34:00.277 --> 34:02.680 strengthen international order based on 34:02.690 --> 34:05.520 rule of law . China presents an 34:05.530 --> 34:07.252 unprecedented and the greatest 34:07.252 --> 34:09.930 challenge . At the same time , Japan 34:09.940 --> 34:12.390 and China , both their important 34:12.400 --> 34:16.060 responsibility for regional and global 34:16.060 --> 34:18.990 peace and prosperity . Establishment of 34:18.990 --> 34:21.157 a constructive and stable relationship 34:21.157 --> 34:24.370 by Japan and china is essential for 34:24.370 --> 34:26.280 peace and stability of the 34:26.280 --> 34:28.502 international community , including the 34:28.502 --> 34:29.502 inter pacific 34:31.900 --> 34:35.370 Defense Minister . 34:35.380 --> 34:39.270 Yes , as mentioned by 34:39.280 --> 34:40.840 Minister Hayashi , 34:42.670 --> 34:46.610 that is our position based upon 34:46.610 --> 34:48.832 the mutual recognition of Japan and the 34:48.832 --> 34:51.054 United States in the area including the 34:51.054 --> 34:54.530 islands . We will expand the joint use 34:54.540 --> 34:56.790 of facilities of Japan and the United 34:56.790 --> 34:58.957 States and we've committed to increase 34:58.957 --> 35:01.590 joint exercises and joint trainings in 35:01.590 --> 35:04.110 such form . We will upgrade the 35:04.110 --> 35:06.332 deterrence and response capabilities of 35:06.332 --> 35:08.499 our alliance which is necessary and we 35:08.499 --> 35:10.221 will continue to work in close 35:10.221 --> 35:12.390 coordination with the United States 35:12.400 --> 35:16.200 following today's meeting . Thank you . 35:17.290 --> 35:19.500 Um I have a little dab because my 35:19.510 --> 35:21.566 colleagues have covered it so well . 35:21.566 --> 35:25.180 Suffice to say that um first we are 35:26.410 --> 35:29.350 United in ways that at least in my 35:29.350 --> 35:31.360 experience over the last 30 years , 35:31.370 --> 35:34.240 we've never been before . There's 35:34.240 --> 35:36.460 greater convergence in our approach , 35:36.470 --> 35:38.470 greater alignment in our approach , 35:38.470 --> 35:40.470 both in terms of the way we see the 35:40.470 --> 35:42.870 challenges and how we propose to 35:42.880 --> 35:45.610 respond to them uh than uh than ever 35:45.610 --> 35:47.443 before . And I think that's very 35:47.443 --> 35:49.550 significant . And you've heard both 35:49.550 --> 35:51.810 ministers speak to it , the statements 35:51.810 --> 35:53.699 that we're putting out , or we've 35:53.699 --> 35:55.699 already put out this afternoon will 35:55.699 --> 35:57.921 reflect in detail that alignment , that 35:57.921 --> 35:59.921 convergence between Japan uh in the 35:59.921 --> 36:03.100 United States uh when it comes to uh to 36:03.100 --> 36:05.590 Taiwan , I think it's very important to 36:05.590 --> 36:09.300 note that what we've seen from 36:09.300 --> 36:11.590 china in recent years , not recent 36:11.590 --> 36:14.200 months , recent years , is 36:14.210 --> 36:16.310 unfortunately an effort to undermine 36:16.310 --> 36:18.588 the longstanding status quo status quo , 36:18.588 --> 36:20.880 that's maintain peace and stability uh 36:20.890 --> 36:23.960 for decades . Uh We on the other hand , 36:23.970 --> 36:26.081 want to sustain that status . What we 36:26.081 --> 36:28.830 want to bolster . Uh we oppose any 36:28.840 --> 36:31.120 unilateral change to the status quo by 36:31.130 --> 36:34.920 either side , uh will continue for a 36:34.930 --> 36:37.580 calm , resolute approach to uphold 36:37.590 --> 36:39.590 peace and stability . Japan and the 36:39.590 --> 36:42.270 United States are united uh in that in 36:42.270 --> 36:44.650 that effort , um as you heard , say , 36:44.650 --> 36:46.928 our alliance is a cornerstone of peace , 36:46.928 --> 36:48.983 security , prosperity in the pacific 36:48.983 --> 36:51.094 and the steps that we announced today 36:51.094 --> 36:53.261 will strengthen the alliance's ability 36:53.261 --> 36:55.483 uh to uphold the rules based order that 36:55.483 --> 36:58.100 we are both very much committed to . I 36:58.100 --> 37:01.340 think my colleagues have did uh have 37:01.340 --> 37:03.470 done a tremendous , tremendous job of 37:03.480 --> 37:06.550 uh of outlining the key points here . 37:06.560 --> 37:08.782 And so I won't plow that ground again . 37:08.782 --> 37:11.070 But I would just say that we we really 37:11.070 --> 37:13.640 do remain committed to enhancing 37:13.640 --> 37:16.390 resiliency and interoperability between 37:16.400 --> 37:19.810 U . S . And Japanese uh forces and and 37:19.810 --> 37:22.020 deepening uh the operational 37:22.020 --> 37:25.630 cooperation . Uh so the things that 37:25.640 --> 37:27.990 that we touched upon today especially 37:28.000 --> 37:30.810 uh the agreement to increase bilateral 37:30.810 --> 37:34.080 exercises and and and training I think 37:34.090 --> 37:36.312 are a real powerful statement of that , 37:36.312 --> 37:38.479 of that commitment . So I look forward 37:38.479 --> 37:40.146 to continuing to work with my 37:40.146 --> 37:42.146 colleagues on on these issues going 37:42.146 --> 37:44.920 forward . Our next question goes to Rio 37:44.940 --> 37:46.140 Rio Maya from 37:51.310 --> 37:54.180 thank you so much . I'm real cure me 37:54.190 --> 37:57.980 from in Washington D . C . Bureau . I 37:57.980 --> 38:00.700 have questions for each of you . First 38:00.700 --> 38:03.900 Secretary Austin . Um while U . S . And 38:03.910 --> 38:06.390 Japan share the concern about the 38:06.400 --> 38:09.340 china's military aggression , how can 38:09.350 --> 38:12.680 the US manage the relationship with 38:12.680 --> 38:15.650 china and avoid miscalculation leading 38:15.650 --> 38:19.300 to the contingencies um And last 38:19.510 --> 38:22.340 october you said that you don't see an 38:22.350 --> 38:25.380 imminent invasion of Taiwan by china . 38:25.570 --> 38:28.840 Do you still hold that view ? And also 38:28.840 --> 38:32.490 if I may um Japan decided to 38:33.260 --> 38:35.820 establish our self defense force joint 38:35.820 --> 38:38.580 headquarter from your perspective , 38:38.580 --> 38:40.930 what would be the ideal alliance 38:40.930 --> 38:43.240 command and control relationship 38:43.250 --> 38:46.060 between us and Japan to enhance 38:46.070 --> 38:48.590 interoperability and readiness 38:50.370 --> 38:53.880 and Secretary bring can on regarding US 38:53.880 --> 38:56.470 china relations ? How do you plan to 38:56.470 --> 38:59.600 manage and build their um relationship 38:59.600 --> 39:01.720 with china during your upcoming 39:01.730 --> 39:05.300 engagement with china . And also what 39:05.300 --> 39:08.080 kind of role do you expect Japan to 39:08.080 --> 39:10.640 pray in diplomacy to manage this 39:10.640 --> 39:13.980 relationship . And finally to Minister 39:14.050 --> 39:16.390 to mother and Minister Hayashi . Um 39:16.390 --> 39:19.180 There's a growing sense of risk about 39:19.180 --> 39:22.060 china's invasion of Taiwan in the 39:22.060 --> 39:24.340 previous two plus two meeting us and 39:24.340 --> 39:27.540 Japan welcome the robust progress on 39:27.550 --> 39:30.080 bilateral planning for contingencies . 39:30.090 --> 39:32.350 How do you evaluate the current 39:32.360 --> 39:34.650 progress on bilateral planning for 39:34.660 --> 39:37.970 contingencies so far with the U . S . 39:38.190 --> 39:41.400 Also from the perspective of deterring 39:41.400 --> 39:43.400 china's aggression , how do you 39:43.400 --> 39:46.560 evaluate the recent U . S . 39:46.560 --> 39:48.680 Announcement of reorganization of 39:48.690 --> 39:51.870 marines in Okinawa into the marine 39:51.880 --> 39:53.970 littoral resident . Thank you . 39:57.800 --> 40:00.750 Okay , thank you . Um I think your 40:00.750 --> 40:03.320 first question was how do we avoid 40:03.320 --> 40:06.220 miscalculation ? Um 40:07.160 --> 40:09.620 You heard me say a number of times that 40:09.630 --> 40:12.720 it's absolutely critical that that 40:12.720 --> 40:15.800 leaders of great powers maintain open 40:15.800 --> 40:18.930 lines of communication uh and be able 40:18.930 --> 40:22.040 to talk with each other uh In that way 40:22.040 --> 40:25.580 we can we can avoid miscalculation 40:25.580 --> 40:28.870 wherever possible . Uh And you see us 40:28.870 --> 40:32.790 continuing to try to ensure that we 40:32.800 --> 40:35.480 we keep those lines open uh and I would 40:35.480 --> 40:39.050 invite my my colleagues in china uh to 40:39.050 --> 40:42.620 meet us halfway there uh and uh and 40:42.620 --> 40:44.453 work hard to keep those lines of 40:44.453 --> 40:47.430 communication open . Um And and and 40:47.440 --> 40:50.250 that is the primary and best way to 40:50.250 --> 40:52.472 avoid that miscalculation . Of course . 40:52.472 --> 40:54.528 You know , I believe that our forces 40:54.528 --> 40:56.694 are are trained and disciplined to the 40:56.694 --> 41:00.000 degree that uh you know , they're gonna 41:00.000 --> 41:02.000 do everything within their power to 41:02.000 --> 41:04.111 avoid any kind of misunderstanding or 41:04.111 --> 41:06.570 miscalculation . But again , that 41:06.570 --> 41:08.920 dialogue is enormously important . 41:10.270 --> 41:12.590 So , and then you your second question 41:12.590 --> 41:16.110 was regarding whether or not 41:16.120 --> 41:19.290 china is whether or not an invasion of 41:19.300 --> 41:22.990 Taiwan by china is imminent . Um , 41:24.550 --> 41:27.030 you know , I won't second guess Mr Xi . 41:27.030 --> 41:29.030 But what I will tell you what we're 41:29.030 --> 41:31.360 seeing recently is some very 41:31.360 --> 41:34.640 provocative behavior and uh , on the on 41:34.640 --> 41:36.960 the part of China's forces uh , in 41:36.960 --> 41:38.960 their attempt to re establish a new 41:38.960 --> 41:41.510 normal . So we've seen increased 41:41.510 --> 41:45.410 activity , uh , aerial activity in the 41:45.410 --> 41:48.180 straits . We've seen increased surface 41:48.180 --> 41:51.690 vessel activity around Taiwan . Uh , 41:51.690 --> 41:54.650 and again , we believe that they they 41:54.650 --> 41:57.510 endeavor to establish a new normal , 41:57.520 --> 42:00.790 but whether or not that means that an 42:00.790 --> 42:03.420 invasion is imminent . Uh , you know , 42:03.420 --> 42:06.140 I I seriously doubt that . So , we will 42:06.140 --> 42:08.460 continue to watch , uh and we will 42:08.460 --> 42:10.516 continue to work with our allies and 42:10.516 --> 42:12.980 partners to do everything that we can 42:12.990 --> 42:15.560 to ensure that we promote peace and 42:15.560 --> 42:18.760 stability uh , in the strait and uh , 42:18.770 --> 42:22.700 and in the region overall , and just 42:22.700 --> 42:24.900 quickly to more broadly , to add to 42:24.900 --> 42:27.230 that on china . Um , as you know , 42:27.240 --> 42:29.351 President biden President , she had a 42:29.351 --> 42:31.860 very open candid conversation during 42:31.860 --> 42:34.770 the last G 20 meeting in Bali . Um , 42:34.780 --> 42:36.891 and they spoke about our intentions . 42:36.891 --> 42:38.669 Uh , President biden shared our 42:38.669 --> 42:41.002 intentions and our priorities and we uh , 42:41.002 --> 42:43.113 got some sense of that from President 42:43.113 --> 42:45.113 Xi as well as the Secretary Defense 42:45.113 --> 42:47.336 just said these lines of communications 42:47.336 --> 42:49.502 starting with the President's but also 42:49.502 --> 42:51.669 including uh uh many of us are vitally 42:51.669 --> 42:53.780 important , vitally important to keep 42:53.780 --> 42:55.669 open . And I would hope to deepen 42:55.669 --> 42:57.836 because as Secretary Defense said , uh 42:57.836 --> 42:59.502 what we don't want is for any 42:59.502 --> 43:02.020 misunderstanding uh to beer into uh 43:02.030 --> 43:05.090 into conflict . Um I will have an 43:05.090 --> 43:07.201 opportunity to travel to china in the 43:07.201 --> 43:09.034 coming weeks to follow up on the 43:09.034 --> 43:11.257 President's discussions price precisely 43:11.257 --> 43:13.146 to move forward on those lines of 43:13.146 --> 43:16.080 communication between us . We both of 43:16.080 --> 43:18.136 our countries , Japan and the United 43:18.136 --> 43:20.740 States have complex and consequential 43:20.750 --> 43:24.620 relationships with china and there are 43:24.630 --> 43:27.170 clearly uh aspects of intense 43:27.170 --> 43:30.900 competition between us . Uh there are 43:30.910 --> 43:33.190 aspects as well as cooperation uh and 43:33.190 --> 43:35.357 it's important to see if we can pursue 43:35.357 --> 43:37.468 those , we hear from countries around 43:37.468 --> 43:39.680 the world uh the desire for the United 43:39.680 --> 43:42.590 States china Japan to manage this 43:42.590 --> 43:45.790 relationship responsibly . And uh if 43:45.790 --> 43:47.957 there are areas where we can cooperate 43:47.957 --> 43:50.068 that would be to the benefit not only 43:50.068 --> 43:52.290 of our own people but people around the 43:52.290 --> 43:51.480 world , whether it's in climate , 43:51.480 --> 43:53.702 whether it's in global health , whether 43:53.702 --> 43:55.869 it's in dealing with with drugs , um , 43:55.869 --> 43:58.410 we should pursue them , but we are 43:58.410 --> 44:00.299 going to compete vigorously . The 44:00.299 --> 44:02.577 President's been very clear about that . 44:02.577 --> 44:02.340 We're not looking for conflict will 44:02.350 --> 44:04.406 manage the competition responsibly , 44:04.406 --> 44:06.517 but we will compete vigorously and we 44:06.517 --> 44:08.350 will seek to keep these lines of 44:08.350 --> 44:10.461 communication open uh and do all that 44:10.461 --> 44:12.350 we can to establish guardrails to 44:12.350 --> 44:14.294 prevent competition as I said from 44:14.294 --> 44:15.572 during into conflict . 44:16.790 --> 44:20.780 First 44:20.780 --> 44:24.440 of all US , this commitment 44:24.970 --> 44:28.060 and optimization of the posture in the 44:28.060 --> 44:30.116 indo pacific including Japan is very 44:30.116 --> 44:33.410 much welcome and including the re 44:33.410 --> 44:35.630 coordination of the realignment of U . 44:35.630 --> 44:37.600 S . Forces in Japan in order to 44:37.600 --> 44:41.530 optimize posture of U . S . F . J . We 44:41.540 --> 44:44.160 decided to continue our close 44:44.160 --> 44:48.020 consultations and this may not 44:48.030 --> 44:50.370 be a direct response to your question . 44:50.370 --> 44:52.650 I may have misunderstood your question 44:52.650 --> 44:54.700 but if your question is implying on 44:54.700 --> 44:57.920 guideline , there was no discussion 44:57.920 --> 44:59.990 over US Japan guidelines 45:01.000 --> 45:04.020 regarding the necessity of review of 45:04.030 --> 45:06.450 the Japan US guidelines . Of course it 45:06.450 --> 45:09.000 is being constantly studied but we 45:09.000 --> 45:10.760 don't assume that it will be 45:10.770 --> 45:12.659 immediately necessary . Thank you 45:15.190 --> 45:18.980 on the US Japan bilateral planning in 45:18.980 --> 45:22.880 2015 based upon the guidelines for 45:22.880 --> 45:25.070 Japan . U . S . Defense cooperation , 45:25.080 --> 45:28.830 the Japan US governments are to 45:28.830 --> 45:31.100 prepare and renew bilateral planning 45:31.110 --> 45:34.390 and we very much welcomed the steadfast 45:34.390 --> 45:38.220 progress of this task and in order 45:38.220 --> 45:41.110 to respond to the very severe security 45:41.110 --> 45:44.340 environment in Japan by 45:44.350 --> 45:47.910 maintaining the remaining Marine Corps 45:47.910 --> 45:50.420 in Okinawa . After the realignment 45:50.430 --> 45:54.400 decision was made 45:54.410 --> 45:57.610 to keep the third Division of the 45:57.610 --> 45:59.810 Marine Corps and the 12th Regiment of 45:59.820 --> 46:03.350 the Marine Corps and agreed 46:03.360 --> 46:07.270 to realign into M . L . R . By 2025 46:07.280 --> 46:10.340 we believe that this will bolster the U . 46:10.340 --> 46:13.300 S . F . J . Posture in Japan and this 46:13.310 --> 46:15.032 also is a demonstration of the 46:15.032 --> 46:17.032 unwavering commitment of the United 46:17.032 --> 46:19.143 States towards the defense of Japan . 46:19.143 --> 46:21.032 And together with the fundamental 46:21.032 --> 46:23.143 reinforcement of defense capabilities 46:23.143 --> 46:25.350 of Japan . This will significantly 46:25.360 --> 46:27.360 elevate the deterrence and response 46:27.360 --> 46:30.210 capabilities of our alliance against 46:30.220 --> 46:33.320 attacks armed attacks to Japan . 46:33.330 --> 46:35.820 This will be the last question 46:37.440 --> 46:39.420 newspaper . Thank you . 46:41.420 --> 46:44.800 Thank you . During this meeting . I 46:44.800 --> 46:47.120 believe the new national security 46:47.120 --> 46:49.970 strategy and the new defense strategy 46:49.970 --> 46:52.100 were the main topics . So I asked 46:52.110 --> 46:54.277 Minister Hayashi and Minister Hamada . 46:54.277 --> 46:56.470 So the reinforcement of defense 46:56.470 --> 46:58.720 including counter strike capability and 46:58.720 --> 47:00.942 the meaning and the goal of significant 47:00.942 --> 47:03.053 increase of defense expense . How did 47:03.053 --> 47:05.109 explain to the U . S . Side please ? 47:05.109 --> 47:06.880 And then Secretary Clinton and 47:06.880 --> 47:10.140 Secretary Austin , if I may the 47:10.140 --> 47:11.973 strengthening of Japan's defense 47:11.973 --> 47:14.029 capability . What is your assessment 47:14.029 --> 47:15.760 and the new strategies of both 47:15.760 --> 47:17.704 countries have been already coming 47:17.704 --> 47:19.538 forward . The deterrence and the 47:19.538 --> 47:21.260 response capability of the two 47:21.260 --> 47:23.093 countries . How do you intend to 47:23.093 --> 47:25.316 elevate earlier ? Minister refer to the 47:25.316 --> 47:27.538 guidelines about the possibility of the 47:27.538 --> 47:29.704 need to revise the guideline . What is 47:29.704 --> 47:33.440 your view ? Thank you . Please allow me 47:33.440 --> 47:37.160 to start at the too close to 47:37.170 --> 47:40.640 today . The 47:40.650 --> 47:43.110 based on the new strategy 47:44.420 --> 47:46.400 we affirm the future activities in 47:46.400 --> 47:48.520 order to bolster the defense response 47:48.520 --> 47:50.576 capabilities of the alliance . Under 47:50.576 --> 47:52.520 the new strategy . In light of the 47:52.520 --> 47:54.131 increasingly severe security 47:54.131 --> 47:56.076 environment , I mentioned that the 47:56.076 --> 47:56.040 fundamental reinforcement of Japan's 47:56.040 --> 47:58.262 defense capability will lead to further 47:58.262 --> 47:59.929 effective exercise of U . S . 47:59.929 --> 48:01.929 Capabilities and that in turn would 48:01.929 --> 48:03.929 mean a further reinforcement of the 48:03.929 --> 48:06.096 deterrent response capabilities of the 48:06.096 --> 48:08.151 battle alliance and will play a huge 48:08.151 --> 48:10.373 role for the peace and stability of the 48:10.373 --> 48:12.596 region . That the U . S . In response , 48:12.596 --> 48:15.220 expressed firm support as I mentioned 48:15.230 --> 48:18.740 earlier as a result of the two plus two . 48:18.750 --> 48:21.080 The joint statement to be released , 48:21.270 --> 48:23.790 this presents a vision of the alliance 48:23.800 --> 48:26.400 in the new era of strategic competition . 48:26.580 --> 48:29.050 The plans will be implemented speedily 48:29.050 --> 48:30.994 and together with Minister Hamad , 48:30.994 --> 48:33.161 Secretary Clinton and Secretary Austin 48:33.161 --> 48:34.883 we will constantly bolster the 48:34.883 --> 48:37.910 bilateral alliance if I may 48:39.600 --> 48:42.310 regarding the fundamental reinforcement 48:42.310 --> 48:44.532 of Japan's defense in order to speedily 48:44.532 --> 48:47.200 realize about the significant increase 48:47.200 --> 48:50.210 the defense . We will acquire new 48:50.220 --> 48:51.940 capabilities including more 48:51.940 --> 48:55.140 sustainability uh and counter strike 48:55.140 --> 48:57.490 capability and express my very strong 48:57.500 --> 49:00.210 commitment as Minister . Yes you just 49:00.220 --> 49:02.040 mentioned that the U . S . Side 49:02.050 --> 49:05.290 mentioned that they will strongly 49:05.290 --> 49:07.310 support Japan's new strategy . That 49:07.310 --> 49:10.400 this is a major evolution of the 49:10.410 --> 49:13.610 bilateral alliance based on today's 49:13.620 --> 49:16.420 discussion in this most severe and 49:16.420 --> 49:18.580 complex security environment . After 49:18.580 --> 49:20.940 the war we will fundamentally reinforce 49:20.940 --> 49:22.996 the defense capability including the 49:22.996 --> 49:25.162 counter strike capability and together 49:25.162 --> 49:27.273 in order to make the US alliance be a 49:27.273 --> 49:29.384 contribution to peace , stability and 49:29.384 --> 49:31.662 prosperity of the region and the world . 49:31.662 --> 49:33.884 We will continue to work with Secretary 49:33.884 --> 49:36.107 Austin . Secretary Blinken and Minister 49:36.107 --> 49:38.162 Hayashi to strengthen the alliance . 49:38.162 --> 49:40.440 Thank you . Thank you for the question . 49:40.440 --> 49:43.030 Um It's very simple . We heartily 49:43.040 --> 49:45.400 welcome uh the new strategies 49:45.410 --> 49:48.150 especially because there is as I said 49:48.150 --> 49:50.410 and we've all said uh remarkable 49:50.410 --> 49:53.180 convergence between our strategy 49:53.190 --> 49:56.550 strategies and Japan's um we applaud 49:56.550 --> 49:58.810 the commitment to increased investment 49:58.820 --> 50:02.380 uh to enhance roles , missions and 50:02.380 --> 50:04.269 capabilities that you've heard to 50:04.269 --> 50:06.650 closer cooperation not only between the 50:06.650 --> 50:08.650 United States and Japan but as well 50:08.650 --> 50:10.872 with other allies and other partners on 50:10.872 --> 50:12.761 a bilateral basis , but also on a 50:12.761 --> 50:14.928 trilateral and multilateral basis . We 50:14.928 --> 50:16.928 already have a strong foundation uh 50:16.928 --> 50:19.520 that's only going to grow um as we read 50:19.520 --> 50:22.300 them these these new documents really 50:22.310 --> 50:24.780 reshape the alliance's ability to 50:24.790 --> 50:26.880 promote peace and protect the rules 50:26.880 --> 50:29.290 based order uh in the region , but also 50:29.290 --> 50:31.910 beyond around the world . I think what 50:31.910 --> 50:35.010 you're seeing in real time is an 50:35.010 --> 50:37.260 alliance that is modernizing and the 50:37.260 --> 50:39.650 United States and Japan are working in 50:39.650 --> 50:41.860 lockstep to be prepared for the 50:41.860 --> 50:44.082 emerging challenges in the indo pacific 50:44.082 --> 50:47.120 and beyond . So we could not be more uh 50:47.130 --> 50:49.241 more pleased with the work that we're 50:49.241 --> 50:51.463 doing together . But also I have to say 50:51.463 --> 50:53.630 for Japan's extraordinary leadership . 50:53.630 --> 50:55.797 I know uh President biden will have an 50:55.797 --> 50:57.963 opportunity to share that appreciation 50:57.963 --> 50:59.963 with Prime Minister Kishida when he 50:59.963 --> 50:59.560 welcomes from here to Washington later 50:59.560 --> 51:02.050 this week . I certainly agree with 51:02.060 --> 51:04.004 Secretary Blinken . There is clear 51:04.004 --> 51:07.630 strategic alignment between the visions 51:07.630 --> 51:10.650 of President biden and Prime Minister 51:10.650 --> 51:13.060 Kishida . You see that reflected in the 51:13.070 --> 51:15.237 in the strategies as you put them side 51:15.237 --> 51:18.560 by side . Uh We are all focused on 51:18.570 --> 51:21.850 uh maintaining a rules based 51:21.850 --> 51:25.390 international order and promoting peace 51:25.400 --> 51:28.820 and stability in the region . Uh 51:28.830 --> 51:31.580 So what you've heard us talk about 51:31.590 --> 51:33.812 today , the things that we discussed in 51:33.812 --> 51:36.660 the meeting really bring that strategy 51:36.660 --> 51:39.920 to life optimizing force posture , uh 51:39.930 --> 51:43.260 agreeing to uh increase our 51:43.260 --> 51:46.900 bilateral exercises , training events . 51:46.930 --> 51:50.300 All of those things are real good 51:50.300 --> 51:52.700 indicators that all of us are committed 51:52.710 --> 51:55.700 to making sure that as uh Prime 51:55.700 --> 51:57.950 Minister Hamada has said previously , 51:57.970 --> 52:00.026 we don't just write strategies . You 52:00.026 --> 52:02.450 know , we we we do the things necessary 52:02.450 --> 52:04.561 to be able to execute them . And this 52:04.561 --> 52:07.010 is work that's never finished . Okay . 52:07.010 --> 52:10.130 We so we will continue to work to 52:10.140 --> 52:14.080 optimize force posture and and uh 52:14.090 --> 52:16.460 and increase interoperability so that 52:16.460 --> 52:19.740 we maintain a credible deterrent force . 52:19.750 --> 52:22.310 Uh And I look forward to continuing to 52:22.310 --> 52:25.530 work with my colleagues uh to do that 52:25.540 --> 52:27.818 what I would call hard government work . 52:27.818 --> 52:30.040 But but thank you very much . Thank you 52:30.040 --> 52:32.096 your excellency . Thank you everyone 52:32.096 --> 52:33.600 that concludes the press conference .