A month after their meeting in Washington on the Japan-U.S. security issues, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura held a conference in Tokyo on March 19. The meeting lasted for about an hour and a half, including a working lunch. In a press conference, Minister Machimura said that he found the meeting very valuable, and that he conducted a frank exchange of views with Secretary Rice on both bilateral and international issues in a very good atmosphere.
The meeting covered comprehensive issues, extending from the general Japan-U.S. relationship, Japan-U.S. security issues, the IC passport, the BSE issue, North Korea, United Nations reforms, the Middle East situations, to China.
1. Japan-U.S. relationship
Minister Machimura stated that Japan would like to work closely with the U.S. under the concept of a “Japan-U.S. Alliance in the global context.” He also stated that he would like to seek ways to strengthen an exchange of people between the two countries, which lies at the heart of their bilateral relationship.
2. Japan-U.S. security issues
Minister Machimura stated that the “2+2” meeting a month ago was very valuable and that he was pleased that the consultations on the U.S. Posture Review are being expedited, with the considerations of Roles, Missions and Capabilities. Minister Machimura and Secretary Rice shared the view that the process will be continuously intensified under the common strategic objectives confirmed at the “2+2” meeting, from the viewpoint of maintaining the deterrence of the U.S. forces in Japan and alleviating the burden on Okinawa and local communities.
3. IC passport
Minister Machimura said that Japan is likely to introduce the IC passport by March of next year, however, it won’t be able to meet the deadline of October 2005 required by the U.S. He asked the U.S. administration to work on the U.S. Congress to extend the deadline for another year, and Secretary Rice stated that she understood Japan’s request.
4. BSE issue
Minister Machimura said it is important to resolve the issue expeditiously based on sound science with a view to securing food safety. He said that the government of Japan intends to make efforts for an early solution of the issue. He also said that while he understood the interest of the United States in this issue, it must be dealt with appropriately so as not to affect Japan-U.S. relations adversely. Secretary Rice explained the concern by the U.S. administration, Congress and citizens on this issue, expressed that the U.S. respects food safety including that of U.S. partners, and asked for the efforts by the Government of Japan to resolve the issue according to the international standard based upon sound science.
5. North Korea
Secretary Rice and Minister Machimura shared the view that it is important to resume the Six-Party Talks quickly and unconditionally, and that China should play a significant role in this regard. They also agreed that the coordination by Japan, U.S. and South Korea will continue to be important.
6. UN Reform
Minister Machimura stated that the United Nations reform is Japan’s top priority issue. He stated that Japan will continue its efforts towards making Japan a permanent member of the Security Council and that Japan would like to work closely with the U.S. toward this goal. In response, Secretary Rice stated that the U.S. is publicly supporting Japan’s becoming a permanent member.
7. China
Minister Machimura emphasized the importance for Japan and the U.S. to continue to work together to encourage China to become a responsible partner in the international community. Furthermore, he expressed the need to ask for transparency regarding China’s increased defense budget. Secretary Rice shared views on these two points. Both also agreed that it is extremely important to have continued stability in the Taiwan Straits. Secretary Rice showed concerns about EU’s lifting the ban on export of weapons to China, and both agreed to continue to have close coordination on the issue.
In addition, Secretary Rice and Minister Machimura discussed the subjects of the Middle East peace process, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran.
After the Foreign Minister’s meeting, Secretary Rice met with Prime Minister Koizumi for about 40 minutes, in which they discussed broad issues such as the general relationship between the U.S. and Japan, the BSE issue, the Middle East peace process and North Korea . Secretary Rice once again expressed U.S. support for Japan’s becoming a permanent member of the Security Council. On the issue of international aid, Secretary Rice introduced to the Prime Minister the idea of “strategic development alliance” between the two countries, which she proposed at a lecture at Sophia University on the same day.
[Related links]
* Japan-U.S. Relations
* Embassy of Japan: VIP visits
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