US-Japan “Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation, essential for safety, peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific” (3 reports)

In a joint statement (presentation) released after the diplomatic and defense ministers (2+2) meeting on the 16th, the United States and Japan expressed the perception that cooperation between Korea, the United States, and Japan is essential for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

He stressed the importance of Korea-US-Japan cooperation in response to the North Korean issue.

The US-Japan 2+2 talks held in Tokyo this afternoon were attended by US Secretary of State Tony Blincoln, Defense Minister Lloyd Austin, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi.

In a joint statement, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense of the two countries announced in a joint statement that the cooperation between the three countries of Korea, the United States and Japan is “essential to the security, peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region we share.”

It is interpreted that Korea-US-Japan cooperation has expanded from Northeast Asia to the Indo-Pacific region.

Considering the fact that Japan has recently mentioned that Korea-US-Japan cooperation is a measure of North Korea’s response, the inclusion of this phrase in the joint statement seems to reflect the intention of the United States.

At a joint press conference held after the 2+2 talks, Secretary of State Blincoln and Foreign Minister Motegi emphasized the importance of Korea-US-Japan cooperation, citing the North Korean issue.

Secretary of State Blincoln said, “After taking office as Secretary of State, I have been talking with Foreign Minister Motegi and South Korean counterparts (about the North Korean issue).”

Foreign Minister Motegi said, “We have confirmed the importance of the full implementation of the UN Security Council resolution for the realization of the complete denuclearization of North Korea, and we have also confirmed that the three countries will continue to cooperate,”

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 maritime advancement and the suppression of human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang Weigur.

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., Japan, and the United States, through a joint document, sent the Senkaku (Chinese name, Diaoyudao).<釣魚島>) Reaffirmed that the islands are subject to Article 5 of the US-Japan Security Treaty, which regulates the U.S.’ duty to defend Japan.

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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