Gen. Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Paid a Courtesy Call

on Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso

Embassy of Japan

March 22, 2007

On March 21, Gen. Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States , paid a courtesy call on Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, during his visit to Japan .

A gist of their meeting is as follows:

1. Both sides exchanged views on Japan-U.S. bilateral relations, realignment of U.S. forces in Japan , cooperation on Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), and support for the reconstruction of Iraq .

2. On the Japan-U.S. relations, both sides shared the view that the credibility of the deterrence of the alliance needs to be further enhanced while there are still unstable and uncertain factors in Northeast Asia .

3. On the realignment of the U.S. Forces in Japan , both sides highly recognized the visible accomplishments of the Roadmap, which was agreed on last May, including the relocation of F15 training. They further agreed on the importance of steadily implementing the Roadmap.

4. The cooperation between Japan and the U.S. on BMD is constantly progressing, and both sides agreed on further cooperation in the future.

5. Gen. Pace expressed appreciation for Japan ’s contribution to the stabilization of Iraq . In response, Foreign Minister Aso stated that Japan would continue to assist in the reconstruction and stabilization of Iraq .

[Related links]

* Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements

http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/security/index.html

* U.S.-Japan Roadmap for Realignment Implementation ( May 1, 2006 )

http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/security/scc/doc0605.html

* Overview of Japan-U.S. Relations

http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/japanus/japanusoverview2007.htm