Japan, US to revise defense cooperation guidelines first time in 17 years

Japan and the US agreed on Thursday to revise the guidelines for bilateral defense cooperation by the end of this year for the first time since 1997 to expand security and defense cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. At the US-Japan Security Consultative Committee, also known as "two-plus-two" meeting, convened in Tokyo, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel also decided to approve new measures that support the realignment of US forces in Japan, according to a joint statement released after the talks. The ministers stressed that the realignment of US forces in Japan is to ensure that its presence maintains deterrence and provides for the capabilities to defend Japan and respond to regional contingencies, while remaining politically sustainable, the document said. In this context, the four ministers reiterated the ongoing mutual commitment to complete the agreements on the realignment of American troops in Japan, including constructing the Futenma Replacement Facility in Okinawa and relocating US Marines to Guam. About 9,000 US Marines are to be relocated from Okinawa to locations outside of Japan. The Japan-US alliance should remain well positioned to deal with a range of persistent and emerging threats to peace and security, as well as challenges to international norms, such as North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, disruptive activities in space and cyberspace and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), the document said. They also urged China "to play a responsible and constructive role in regional stability and prosperity, to adhere to international norms of behavior, as well as to improve openness and transparency in its military modernization with its rapid expanding military investments." The two sides also confirmed their commitment to enhance the ballistic missile defense capabilities of both countries and welcomed recent progress in this area. "We are coming together now to modernize our deep cooperation, through both our military alliances and our diplomatic partnerships, and that is so we can better prevent and respond to the ever-changing threats of the 21st century," Kerry told a press conference after the meeting. The ministers also affirmed the importance of security and defense cooperation among allies and partners in the region and noted in particular the success of the trilateral dialogues carried out regularly with Australia and South Korea. "These trilateral dialogues advance our shared security interests, promote common values, and enhance the security environment of the Asia-Pacific region," they said. In addition, they noted the importance of working together, along with other regional partners, to strengthen institutions that promote economic and security cooperation. The ministers confirmed that deployment of more advanced capabilities in Japan has strategic significance and further contributes to the security of Japan and the region. Washington plans to continue to modernize its capabilities, such as introductions of two squadrons of MV-22 aircraft and the first deployment of Navy P-8 maritime patrol aircraft outside of the US beginning in December 2013.