- Good morning everyone,
I want to first thank Foreign Minister Kono,
and Defense Minister Iwaya for coming to Washington
for this critical meeting between close allies.
I wanna thank, also, of course Acting Secretary Shanahan
for his participation, he didn't have to come quite as far
to be here.
The alliance between Japan, the United States,
is a truly remarkable thing.
It's an alliance that two peoples have built
and strengthened over generations
and it is adapted to meet every challenge
that our two countries have faced.
President Trump intends to maintain the strength
in our alliance and the close relationships he's forged
with Prime Minister Abe have served as a firm foundation
for the conversations that the four of us had this morning.
Our talks affirm that the United States-Japan alliance
remains ironclad and increasingly complex.
We pursued ways to defend the freedoms
of the American and Japanese people
and promote our shared value sets.
At the top of the list is our shared diplomatic efforts
to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization
of North Korea, in cooperation with international community
and of course with relevant UN Security Council resolutions,
we will continue to press North Korea
to abandon all of its weapons of mass destruction,
ballistic missiles, and related programs and facilities.
We'll continue to force all sanctions against North Korea,
and encourage every country to do so.
But our efforts at peace and security
go far beyond North Korea.
Early in his presidency,
President Trump made a real pivot to Asia
and declared America's intentions
for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Our two countries' latest national security
and defense strategies confirm we share this vision
for the Indo-Pacific region,
and they demonstrate our broad
and increasing strategic alignment.
Acting Secretary Shanahan and I shared our concerns
with Japan, the geopolitical competition
and coercive attempts to undermine international rules,
norms, and institutions, especially from China,
present challenges to the alliance
and to continued peace, stability, and prosperity
in the Indo-Pacific.
To ensure security against all manner of threats,
our two countries agreed on the need
for a closer network of alliances and partners.
The United States and Japan will continue
to advance trilateral and multilateral cooperation
with other regional partners,
notably the Republic of Korea, Australia, India,
and South-East Asian counties.
Further, on the bilateral issues of concern,
the United States and Japan continue to oppose
any unilateral action that seeks
to undermine Japan's administration
of the Senkaku Islands and we reaffirm
that Article 5 of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty
applies to those islands.
We also oppose militarization
and other destabilizing activities
in the South China Sea and in the East China Sea.
We urge all parties to fully respect legal
and diplomatic processes and pursue the peaceful settlement
of maritime disputes without resorting
to the threat or use of force.
All parties must abide by the Law of the Sea Convention.
Both the United States and Japan
are committed to the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan
in a way that improves operational readiness
and deterring capabilities,
while also mitigating the impact on local communities.
U.S. force posture in the region
will remain robust and grounded
in a clear-eyed assessment of the threats.
We also welcome Japan's proactive steps
to boost its defense capabilities
and I'll let Acting Secretary Shanahan
speak more about that matter.
The United States and Japan affirmed
that international law applies in cyberspace
and that a cyber attack could, in certain circumstances,
constitute an armed attack under Article 5
of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty.
We stress the need to work together
to protect classified information,
maintain technological superiority,
and preserve our shared defense and economic advantages
from theft and exploitation.
And finally, we confirm that the plan to construct
the Futenma replacement at the camp,
area adjacent waters is the only solution
that addresses operational, political,
financial, and strategic concerns,
and avoids the continued use
of the Marine Corps Air Station at Futenma.
We understand our strong determination
to achieve its completion as soon as possible.
So as you can see from this morning,
we talked about a broad array of things,
we had many topics to discuss, that's a good thing.
It means our great democracies
are continuing robust cooperation.
As Secretary of State, I'm proud to represent
the American people in this essential partnership
built on respect and shared democratic principle,
as well as a shared interest.
Foreign Minister Kono, I invite you to speak.
- [Kono] Thank you.
(speaking in foreign language)
- [Translator] The second U.S.-North Korea summit was held
and based on that, it is also a critical timing
to align the response to the North Korean situations
between Japan and U.S.
Against this background,
by next week Prime Minister Abe will visit U.S.
and next month, President Trump is expected to come to Japan
as the first state guest after the accession
to the throne of our new emperor.
Af this kind of critical timing,
the four ministers for foreign affairs and defense
of Japan and U.S. have come together
and have discussed of the future of U.S.-Japan alliance
and have confirmed the direction
of strengthened deterrence and response capabilities
and this is extremely meaningful.
There were three main achievements as follows,
first of all, free and open Indo-Pacific.
That the U.S.-Japan alliance is now the cornerstone
of peace, security, and prosperity
of the entire Indo-Pacific region.
Under this basic recognition, we agreed
that Japan and U.S. will work together
in order to realize free and open Indo-Pacific.
Both U.S. and Japan will conduct joint trainings
and capability buildings and others
with partner countries in order to jointly expand
their presence in the region.
Secondly, cross-domain incorporation.
Based on the strategic policy document, Japan and U.S.,
including Japan's new national defense program guideline,
we agreed to strengthen cross-domain cooperation,
including new domains like space and cyber,
and to further strengthen our alliance.
Third is North Korean matter.
In accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions,
we agreed to endeavor to realize CVID
of all weapons of mass destruction,
ballistic missiles of all ranges,
and confirm that Japan and U.S. will continue
to incorporate a full implementation
of UN Security Council resolutions,
including dealing with ship-to-ship transfers.
We affirmed that U.S. forces' posture
in the region will continue to be robust
and agreed to deepen our dialogues
on deterrence in the region, ensuring the security.
We agreed to closely collaborate between Japan and the U.S.,
and amongst Japan, U.S., and South Korea.
We agreed to demand North Korea for the immediate resolution
of the abduction of Japanese nationals.
Realignment of the U.S. forces is also an important issue,
while maintaining the deterrence of U.S.-Japan alliance,
but also to reduce impact on local communities,
such as Okinawa.
The governments of both Japan and U.S. will steadily
promote the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan.
In particular, about the construction
of Futenma replacement facilities,
significant progress in relation to the construction
are welcomed in order to avoid
the continued use of Futenma,
we reconfirmed that relocation to Henoko
is the only solution.
I discussed that while steadily implementing
these re-alignment of U.S. forces,
crimes and accidents must be prevented
regarding the issues on the operation
and SOFA of U.S. forces,
I said it is important to advance one-by-one
and to reduce impact on local residents.
In this way, there were major achievements
at the two plus two today.
We will report these outcomes to our respective leaders
and then ensure that it will lead to the success
of our Prime Minister's visit to the U.S.,
and the visit of the President Trump to Japan
as our state guest.
We will firmly advance our efforts
to further strengthen the deterrence and response capability
of the U.S.-Japan alliance,
further reinforce U.S.-Japan alliance going forward.
May I invite Acting Secretary Shanahan for his remarks.
- Thank you, Minister Kono.
Secretary Pompeo, appreciate your leadership and partnership
in hosting today's production discussions.
Minister Kono, Minister Iwaya,
thank you for both making the long trip to Washington.
The strength of the U.S.-Japan relationship
gives us the ability to solve difficult problems
and create opportunity.
Today's meeting is yet another testament
to our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
When I think of the strength of the alliance,
the cornerstone of the region,
I come back to our shared understanding
of the challenges we face
in an increasingly complex security environment,
and our ability to address them together.
Nowhere is this synergy clearer
than in the close alignment
between Japan's National Defense Program guidelines
and our U.S. National Defense Strategy.
The harmony between them is not confined to paper,
it is evident in the real world integration
of our complementary, strategic visions.
That integration was the focus this morning,
and it will be our focus during my bilateral meeting
with Minister Iwaya at the Pentagon this afternoon.
We know this integration is not additive,
it's multiplicative, exponentially enhancing
our cooperation, capability, and capacity,
and moving our alliance forward.
This will be critical as we face diverse challenges
in the region from China and North Korea.
And China in particular,
using increasingly coercive behavior
in an effort to undermine
the rules-based international order.
Today we discussed on how to leverage geography
and integrate neutral objectives
to address these challenges.
That starts with maintaining a ready, capable,
and combat-credible force in the region
as a front-line deterrent,
and realigning U.S. forces in Japan
to improve operational readiness
and minimize impact on local communities,
as Secretary Pompeo and Minister Kono mentioned.
It also includes continuing and expanding our work together,
both bilaterally and multilaterally,
through joint exercises and presence operations
in the region.
Port calls with partners and building partner capacity
in maritime domain awareness, law enforcement, and more.
And as Secretary Pompeo highlighted,
we remain aligned in our pursuit
of the full, final, verified denuclearization
of North Korea.
Ministers, thank you for Japan's continued contributions
to UN Security Council resolution efforts
to counter illicit ship-to-ship transfers.
As we look to the future, however,
we can not only think in terms of geography,
for emerging domains transcend borders.
Cyberspace and outer space know no geographical bounds.
In the U.S., we rely on space for almost everything.
From powering our 20 trillion dollar economy
to enabling military operations.
And while cyber, like space, carries enormous potential,
it also is a vulnerability.
These domains are absolutely critical
for securing our future,
and we are not sitting back while
our Chinese and Russian counterparts, or competitors,
aim to disrupt and weaponize them.
These domains offer real opportunities
for alliance collaboration.
We are aligned in our view on this,
and we are working together to adapt, integrate,
and deploy capabilities faster.
As we charge ahead on those fronts,
we're also building capacity across all domains.
We welcome and appreciate Japan's continued procurement
of U.S. systems that promote interoperability.
From F-35s and Aegis Ashore, to V-22s and more.
In order to bear the most fruit,
our synergy must not be limited to our governments.
Success also requires further integration
of our industrial bases
and protection of critical infrastructure.
Information security is at the very core
of our defense relationship,
and we recognize and appreciate Japan's efforts
to protect its national telecommunications infrastructure
from high-risk 5G companies
by restricting government procurement
and mandating cybersecurity standards.
As we look ahead, protecting the integrity and security
of our national networks and critical infrastructure,
cannot just be a whole of government,
or inter-government effort,
it must be a whole of society approach.
We must remain ever vigilant on this issue
and I know we will.
Minister Kono, Minister Iwaya,
I greatly value the insights you offered
on these and many other topics today.
Thank you for your enduring partnership
and strong leadership.
Minister Iwaya, I look forward to continuing our work
at the Pentagon this afternoon, thank you.
- [Iwaya] (speaking in foreign language)
- [Translator] Acting secretary Shanahan,
thank you very much.
First, I would like to thank the support extended
by the U.S. military on the crash of SDF's F-35A last week.
I am proud that two nations are of the relationship
in which we can help each other in difficult times.
As Japan's National Defense Program Guideline
was completed last December,
strategic documents from both Japan and U.S. that set out
the direction in security area were all in place.
Two countries' directions are aligned,
making it a unique opportunity to further evolve
the U.S.-Japan alliance.
At this juncture, today, four ministers responsible
for foreign and defense affairs in Japan and U.S.,
assembled here to have meaningful discussions
on Japan-U.S. alliance and it's way of being,
and measures to enhance
its deterrence and counter-capabilities.
I would like to thank Acting Secretary Shanahan
and Secretary Pompeo for the leadership
to make this meeting a success.
In the meeting, we confirmed that the U.S.-Japan alliance
is the cornerstone of the region's peace,
stability, and prosperity.
We also confirmed that we will make efforts
to realize free and open Indo-Pacific.
At the same time, the alliance is facing
a difficult international situation
and in order for the alliance to fulfill its role,
more unified response between Japan and U.S. is important.
Regarding the region's security environment,
all four ministers were able to share
the same concerns related to the current situation
in East and South China Sea.
Japan and U.S. will work together
to ensure peace and stability in the region.
Also regarding the North Korean issue,
we agreed to work towards complete verifiable
and irreversible abolishment
of all weapon of mass destruction
and all ballistic missiles of all range.
Japan and U.S. will be
the linchpin in efforts
to fully implement the UN Security Council resolution,
including measures against ship-to-ship transfer
and work with other nations.
In the area of security and defense cooperation,
which is the foundation of Japan-U.S. alliance,
we confirmed that we will enhance the cooperation
in the space-related capabilities
with the cross-domain operation cooperation.
We agreed to promote cooperation
for space situational awareness capability enhancement.
We also agreed to enhance collaboration in the cyber area,
and confirmed that cyber attacks could constitute
an armed attack for the purpose of Article 5
of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty.
Also we agreed to work together
in further promoting streamlining of FMS process
and introduction of high performance equipment to Japan
and affirmed the importance of intelligence security.
Furthermore, we agreed to further deepen
our cooperation in operation.
U.S. forces in Japan serves a central role in the alliance.
For this reason, we share the intention
to steadily implement the realignment
of the U.S. forces in Japan,
while maintaining the U.S. force deterrent capability
to continue to mitigate impact on local community,
including Okinawa.
Particularly about the construction
of the Futenma replacement facility, I reported its status
and foreign ministers welcomed the significant progress,
while reconfirmed that the plan to relocate
to Henoko is the only solution that avoids
the continued use of Futenma Air Station.
Alongside Minister Kono,
I also requested to prevent recurrence
of incidents and accidents and to minimize
the impact of the U.S forces operation in local communities,
including noise made by incoming aircraft.
Japan-U.S. alliance is stronger than ever,
if we can enhance it further
and integrate the power of two nations,
we can deter any and all threats
and respond to any situation.
With today's result, we will work
to further strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance.
Again, I would like to thank Acting Secretary Shanahan
and Secretary Pompeo.
Thank you very much.
- [Moderator] Okay we're going to start with questions.
Shawn from AFP.
- [Shawn] Hi, thank you.
Secretary Pompeo, the other day,
North Korean state media had some rather choice words
about you, I presume you've seen them.
I can repeat them if you want to,
but I want to see your reaction to that.
What do you think was the motivation behind them
and as far as their demand itself,
would you actually be willing to step aside
from negotiations if North Korea prefers that
and wants to deal with President Trump directly only?
And if I can ask a similar question
on North Korea to Minister Kono,
asking about, you mentioned about the abduction issue,
and looking at the results of the Hanoi summit,
how optimistic are you right now
for the future of an agreement
between Japan and North Korea specifically?
And for the Defense Minister and Defense Secretary,
Mr. Iwaya, if I could expand on your comment about the F-35,
could you and Secretary Shanahan explain
what you plan now in terms of locating the F-35?
Submarines, etc. What's the way to find them?
And do you have any concern that U.S. adversaries,
namely China and Russia, could actually have access
to the technology from the F-35 that are under the sea?
Thank you.
- Alright, so yes first question to me. Nothing's changed.
We're continuing to work, to negotiate,
I'm still in charge of the team.
President Trump's obviously in charge of the overall effort,
but it will be my team, special representative Biegun
will continue to lead the U.S. efforts
to achieve what Chairman Kim committed to do
back in June of last year, which was to denuclearize.
As I've said before, he's made that commitment
to President Trump multiple times,
he's made it to me personally half a dozen times,
and I'm convinced we still have a real opportunity
to achieve that outcome and our diplomatic team
will continue to remain in the lead.
- [Kono] Yes we very grateful that President Trump
has raised this abduction issue with Kim Jong-un at Hanoi.
Well this is a issue between Japan and North Korea,
so eventually the Prime Minister,
if there's a chance, will see Kim Jong-un
and talk about these issues.
Japan is ready to normalize the relationship
with North Korea when this missile, nuclear,
and abduction issues are taken care of.
And our position has not been changed,
so this moment, there's no set schedule
for the summit meeting between Japan and North Korea,
but we will continue to work with
on this issue with United States.
Thank you.
- [Iwaya] (speaking in foreign language)
- [Translator] Since the accident,
Maritime Self-Defense Force
and the coast guard and U.S. military vessels and aircrafts
are participating in the operation of search and rescue
and that continues today.
This is a very important aircraft,
so we would like to locate the aircraft
as soon as we can and salvage it, pull it out.
But this search and rescue and investigation
that ensues, of course, Japan will lead the investigation,
but we're hoping and also it is indispensable
to have the support of the U.S.
So while we do that, we would like
to find the root cause of the accident.
- [Shanahan] I would just echo those comments
and add to the fact that we are in full support
of Japan's lead on the investigation,
and have full confidence that the asset
is being, that we'll recover it,
and the situation is being properly managed.
Maybe to add to your question around FMS
and the current procurement situation,
the National Defense Program Guideline
that Japan has put together,
we're integrating with the National Defense Strategy.
And when we talk about strategy,
there are three elements that we're working together,
and it really formulates a set of objectives.
And we're looking at aligning geography,
capacity, and capability.
And in terms of capacity,
there's the current assets or equipment that they buy,
whether it's F-35s, V-22, Aegis Ashore,
and the work there is aligning budgets
and streamlining the FMS procurement process.
Today when we're in the Pentagon,
we're gonna talk more about these new domains.
What can our industry, based on how we develop policy,
do in the areas of cyberspace and autonomy?
Industrial base in Japan has worked closely
with the American industrial base.
We see this as a security opportunity
and an industrial opportunity.
- [Audience Member] (speaking foreign language)
- [Translator] Mr. Niwa from Kyodo.
Thank you, Niwa of Kyodo News.
Minister Kono and Secretary Kono,
my question is about North Korea.
In addition to criticizing Secretary Pompeo,
Chairman Kim is reported to have observed the launch,
the test of a new tactical guided weapon,
do you take it as provocation?
And nuclear missile abandonment you ask North Korea,
is it necessary to further strengthen the sanctions?
Plus Secretary Pompeo, in Japan,
the most important issue is the abduction
of national, Japanese nationals.
In Vietnam, in the Hanoi summit, President Trump
did raise the matter to Chairman Kim,
but what was the reaction of Kim Jong-un?
Prime Minister Abe and Kim Jong-un,
Kim Jong-un is interested in direct communication?
- [Pompeo] Go ahead.
- [Kono] The United States and Japan have agreed
that we need to implement a security council resolution
until North Korea CVID all the weapons of mass destruction
and the missile of all ranges.
And we agree that we need to take care of the issue
of ship-to-ship transfer and we need to work
with the other partner countries
to prevent this ship-to-ship transfer.
I will not comment on, so-called new weapons of North Korea,
but unless they take concrete steps towards CVID
of nuclear weapons and missiles,
there are gonna be no bright future for North Korea.
Thank you.
- [Pompeo] I actually want to comment on that question
you asked Foreign Minister Kono.
We agree that the mission set remains the same.
The United States and Japan are deeply connected.
We've talked about that.
South Koreans as well.
The mission set to denuclearize North Korea,
nothing has changed, nothing that's changed
from Singapore to Hanoi, or Hanoi to now.
That is, we've made progress,
but our mission set has not changed a single bit.
With respect to the issue that President Trump raised,
he not only raised it with Chairman Kim,
he's raised it in every conversation that we've had.
We know the importance of this to Japan
and it's therefore it's important to us as well.
I don't want to talk about the response that was given,
but suffice to say, I think he was aware
of this issue before it was raised,
he acknowledged the issue and you should know
that the United States will continue to raise this issue
each time we have a conversation.
- [Moderator] Rich Edson, Fox News.
- [Edson] Thank you very much.
Mr. Secretary, you've just commented
that the United States, the world will continue
enforcing sanctions against North Korea.
Chairman Kim has repeatedly and publicly demanded
that there be some sanctions relief
ahead of full denuclearization.
Do you think this process can continue to move forward,
absent the U.S. or the west giving
some sanctions relief to North Korea?
And also the Russian government has just commented
that it's not possible that Russia interferes
in the affairs of other states.
Your response to that, and will you discuss
the findings of the special counsel's report
with the Russian government?
Thank you.
Oh and also, to Mr. Foreign Minister,
would Japan rule out a relaxation of sanctions
ahead of full denuclearization?
Thank you.
- [Pompeo] Yes, to your first question.
Second,
Russia interferes with a number of places.
I've talked about it most recently in Venezuela.
But their impact in Ukraine,
the work that they've done
to interfere with elections around the world,
not only ours in 2016, but others,
is serious and they're real interferences.
I don't think there's been a discussion
between a senior U.S. official and Russians
in this administration where we have not raised
this issue about our concern
about Russia's interference in our elections.
So your question, your third question,
was when I engage with the Russians,
will I raise the issues of the Mueller report?
We will talk about the steadfast requirement
that Russia not engage in activity
that impacts the capacity of our democracy to be successful.
And their interference on our election creates risk there,
and we will make very clear to them,
this is unacceptable behavior.
And as you've seen from this administration,
we will take tough actions which will
raise the cost for Russian malign activity.
And we'll continue to do that.
- [Kono] Let me reiterate that our international community
need to fully implement Security Council resolutions
until North Korea CVID weapons of all,
all the weapons of mass destruction and all their missile.
No change at all. Thank you.
- [Woman] (speaking in foreign language)
- [Translator] Thank you. Kono from NHK.
Acting Secretary Shanahan and Mr. Iwaya,
while China enhances military capability,
what was the significance of the agreement
that you will cooperate in space and cyber new domains
for the security of Japan?
Especially, please tell me about the significance
of the cyber attacks being under,
covered by Security Treaty Article 5.
And regarding F-35A and host nation support,
what was the specific discussion during the two plus two?
- [Kono From NHK] (speaking in foreign language)
- [Translator] And Acting Secretary Shanahan,
what is your thought on the host nation support currently?
- [Iwaya] (speaking foreign language)
- [Translator] I would like to answer first.
Not just China, but different countries
are pursuing superiority in technologies
that back up the capability in new domains,
such as space and cyber and electromagnetic spectrum.
So during this two plus two meeting,
we agreed that it is quite important
to cooperate in the cross-domain capability building.
And this alignment in our direction
will be the foundation of our alliance going forward,
specifically in the cyberspace.
In the space capability cooperation,
we agreed to promote cooperation in the development
of deep-space radar by Japan,
and hosting U.S. space situational awareness,
SSA capability, and on Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System
to improve SSA capability.
Also, it is quite significant from the perspective
of a stable use of space.
In a cyber area, as we mentioned,
there are cases where cyber attacks
could constitute an armed attack for the purpose
of Article 5 of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty,
and we agreed on that, and this is significant
from the perspective of deterrence.
In regarding F-35, regarding the crash accident,
I expressed gratitude for the U.S. support
and handling of the accident,
and requested their support
as necessary in the investigation.
Now regarding the host nation support,
in the discussion today we did not discuss this topic.
At this point, we have not started
the next special treaty negotiation.
This is something that we will continue
our discussion going forward with the U.S.
- [Shanahan] Good. No, well said.
Let me just add a few comments.
The framing comment is this,
our strategies are aligned
and we're working to take the budgets
that have been put in place and execute.
This is really, our discussions are less
about what are the frameworks,
than how do we operationalize our work.
The defense minister talked about some
of the basic building blocks,
but our multiple conversations,
and this isn't the first conversation,
is how do we really develop capability
in the cyber and space domain
because it's an area where we're not limited by geography.
And the capabilities industrially and militarily
are very complimentary.
So later on today we'll continue
to build out the details of the execution.
I would just say on the host nation agreement,
we will develop something that's fair.
And we've had a long history of being to negotiate
and I expect that we'll do that well,
but it will be fair.