News

by Osamu Kido, Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with U.S. President Barack Obama in the White House on the morning of April 28. The two leaders agreed to strengthen relations between their nations in a broad range of areas, primarily security and the economy. As they prepare to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the war, Japan and the U.S. launched a “new era” in their alliance. Both sides also affirmed the need to conclude negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) as soon as possible. After the meeting, the two leaders issued a “joint vision statement.”

“Today’s meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Abe marks a historic step forward in transforming the U.S.-Japan partnership,” the statement said. On April 27, the first revision in 18 years was made to the Guidelines for U.S-Japan Defense Cooperation, which set forth the division of roles between Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military. Based on this, the two leaders confirmed their desire for closer cooperation on a global scale and emphasized the strength of the relationship between Japan and the U.S.

China is on the rise militarily and has made advances into the surrounding seas. With this in mind, Japan and the U.S. agreed on their opposition to changing the current situation through the use of force and expressed a shared awareness of the importance of compliance with international law. With regard to Okinawa Prefecture’s stiff opposition to the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan to the Henoko area of Nago, Mr. Abe asked the U.S. to accelerate the implementation of its plan to lighten the burden of U.S. bases on Okinawa.

At the same time, the two sides agreed on their desire to work together to ensure the success of the review conference for the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, which has opened in New York.

With regard to the economy, the two nations reconfirmed their intention to bring the discussions on the TPP, which are nearing their final stage, to a conclusion. The joint statement nations said: “We welcome the significant progress that has been made in the bilateral negotiations.” Japan and the U.S. also confirmed that they would act together in addressing global challenges such as terrorism, climate change and epidemics.

Prime Minister Abe last met with President Obama during a visit to Australia in November of last year. Following the formation of his second cabinet, the prime minister first held talks with President Obama in February 2013 in Washington. The president came to Japan in April of last year. On April 29 Mr. Abe will deliver the first address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress by a prime minister of Japan. He is expected to look back on the postwar reconciliation of the two former enemies and emphasize their future-oriented relationship.

(Originally published on April 29, 2015)