The foreign and defense ministers of Japan and America agreed at a video conference to further strengthen their security alliance and to intensify their cooperation in military research with regard to space.
American Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in a video conference with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Secretary of Defense Nobuo Kishi.
(dpa)
Against the background of China’s growing drive for power in the Indo-Pacific, Japan and its protective power America want to further strengthen their security alliance. It is “more important than ever” that Japan and the United States “are united and show leadership” in the face of a number of challenges, said Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on Thursday, according to the media, at a video link between the foreign and defense ministers of both states. His American counterpart Antony Blinken described the alliance with Japan as a cornerstone of peace and security. As part of a new agreement with a view to North Korea’s hypersonic missiles and other threats in space, both sides want to intensify their cooperation in military research.
It is important to use new means to respond to threats from countries that are trying to undermine the international rules-based order, Blinken said, according to the Japanese news agency Kyodo. These include the partners above all China and North Korea. Just the day before, Japan had also agreed closer military cooperation with Australia. Both US allies want to facilitate joint maneuvers.
Together with India, Japan, the USA and Australia form the so-called Quad Group. The four countries want to expand their engagement in the Indo-Pacific and thus stand up to China. The Indo-Pacific is a region from the Indian to the Pacific Ocean. Other states are also concerned about China’s trade practices and its urge to expand in the Indo-Pacific.