In joint press conference, Japan and U.S. agree on strengthening alliance, deterring China
May 8, 2015
by Osamu Kido, Staff Writer
WASHINGTON--Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a joint press conference on the afternoon of April 28 (April 29 in Japan), following a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House in Washington D.C. Both leaders agreed on the importance of strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance to aid the stability of international order. Mr. Abe defined his position, saying, “We will not tolerate attempts to change the status quo by force,” a reference to deter China’s aggressive naval maneuvers.
With regard to the new Defense Cooperation Guidelines between Japan and the United States, which reflects the premise of an authorization of the use of collective self-defense, there are deep concerns in Japan that the nation would be drawn into U.S. wars. Responding to these concerns, Mr. Abe said such arguments were very regrettable, as if pinning a negative label on collective self-defense and the new guidelines, and that he would fully explain to the Japanese public through the process of enacting various security laws which legally support the exercise of collective self-defense.
Mr. Obama welcomed Japan’s intention to make legal exercising the right to collective self-defense, saying, “The new guidelines will enhance our alliance’s capability.” He reiterated that the Senkaku Islands are subject to U.S. defense obligations based on Article 5 of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty.
With Chinese actions in mind, Mr. Abe said, “We are united in our resolve to oppose unilateral attempts to change the status quo.” While Mr. Obama was critical of China’s naval maneuvers, saying, “That’s the wrong way to go about it,” he stressed, “We don’t think that a strong U.S.-Japan alliance should be seen as a provocation. The United States welcomes China’s peaceful rise.”
(Originally published on April 30, 2015)
WASHINGTON--Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a joint press conference on the afternoon of April 28 (April 29 in Japan), following a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House in Washington D.C. Both leaders agreed on the importance of strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance to aid the stability of international order. Mr. Abe defined his position, saying, “We will not tolerate attempts to change the status quo by force,” a reference to deter China’s aggressive naval maneuvers.
With regard to the new Defense Cooperation Guidelines between Japan and the United States, which reflects the premise of an authorization of the use of collective self-defense, there are deep concerns in Japan that the nation would be drawn into U.S. wars. Responding to these concerns, Mr. Abe said such arguments were very regrettable, as if pinning a negative label on collective self-defense and the new guidelines, and that he would fully explain to the Japanese public through the process of enacting various security laws which legally support the exercise of collective self-defense.
Mr. Obama welcomed Japan’s intention to make legal exercising the right to collective self-defense, saying, “The new guidelines will enhance our alliance’s capability.” He reiterated that the Senkaku Islands are subject to U.S. defense obligations based on Article 5 of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty.
With Chinese actions in mind, Mr. Abe said, “We are united in our resolve to oppose unilateral attempts to change the status quo.” While Mr. Obama was critical of China’s naval maneuvers, saying, “That’s the wrong way to go about it,” he stressed, “We don’t think that a strong U.S.-Japan alliance should be seen as a provocation. The United States welcomes China’s peaceful rise.”
(Originally published on April 30, 2015)
