US-Japan 2+2 talks reaffirmed Korea-US-Japan cooperation… Main focus on Chinese checks (Comprehensive 2 reports)

The U.S. and Japan reaffirmed the importance of Korea-US-Japan cooperation at a meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense (2+2) held in Tokyo on the 16th.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said at a press conference held after the 2+2 talks on the same day, “Confirming the importance of the full implementation of the UN Security Council resolution for the realization of the complete denuclearization of North Korea. It was also confirmed that the three countries, Japan, the United States, and Korea (Korea, the United States and Japan) will continue to cooperate.”

The US-Japan 2+2 talks were attended by US Secretary of State Tony Blincoln, Defense Minister Lloyd Austin, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, respectively.

At a press conference, Secretary of State Blincoln also emphasized the need for allies to respond jointly to the North Korean issue, saying, “Since I took office as Secretary of State, I have been talking with Foreign Minister Motegi and South Korean counterparts.” .

Secretary of State Blincoln and Foreign Minister Motegi both mentioned the North Korean issue and emphasized the importance of Korea-US-Japan cooperation.

Secretary Blincoln said he is reviewing its policy toward North Korea, leaving all options open, including means of pressure, on US policy toward North Korea. In particular, it predicted that it would focus on North Korea’s nuclear missile development and human rights issues.

In addition, Secretary of State Blincoln reaffirmed that although it has been trying to contact North Korea since last month, there has been no response at all.

Foreign Minister Motegi said that Japanese people by North Korea “confirmed the importance of immediate resolution of the abduction problem, and received full support from the US side.”

The U.S. and Japan also reaffirmed the realization of a’free and open Indo-Pacific’, criticizing China’s advance into the sea and the suppression of human rights in Hong Kong.

Foreign Minister Motegi said to China that “actions that are not consistent with the existing international order are raising various challenges to the Japan-US alliance and the international community.” He also opposed unilateral action and shared serious concerns about China’s maritime police law.”

Secretary of State Blincoln criticized China’s crackdown on Hong Kong democratic groups as “using force,” while Defense Secretary Austin pointed out that China’s military activities were “coercive action”.

On the other hand, the U.S. and Japan and the United States, through a joint document released after the 2+2 talks,<釣魚島>)The islands have reaffirmed that they are subject to Article 5 of the US-Japan Security Treaty, which regulates the U.S. defense obligations in Japan, reported by Kyodo News Agency.

The Senkaku Islands, effectively dominated by Japan, are a territorial dispute between China and Japan.

The United States and Japan also expressed “severe concerns over recent movements causing havoc in the region” of China’s implementation of the Maritime Police Act, which allowed the use of weapons on ships in the maritime border, in a joint document.

The two countries made clear their willingness to check China, saying, “We have decided to devote ourselves to opposing the coercive and destructive behavior of China.”

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