Jan 29 11:26 AM US/Eastern
TOKYO, Jan. 30 (AP) - (Kyodo) —
(Deepening the Japan-US Alliance)
This year is a watershed year as it marks the 50th anniversary of the revision of the US-Japan security treaty. During this period the world underwent profound changes, such as the conflict between East and West during the Cold War and its end, as well as the emergence of new threats such as those from terrorism and regional conflicts. During this half-century of tumultuous change, the US-Japan security arrangements, while undergoing qualitative changes, remained indispensable for not only Japan's defense but also for the peace and prosperity of Asia and the world. Its importance will remain unchanged.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the treaty's amendment, President Barack Obama and I announced that the Japan-US Alliance shall be deepened in a manner befitting the 21st century. We will frankly discuss the achievements of the Alliance and the challenges it confronts, advance broad-ranging cooperation and thus deepen and develop it into a multilayered alliance relationship.
For the first time, the United States became a co-sponsor of the (resolution titled) "Renewed determination towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons" which Japan submitted and which was adopted last December at the United Nations General Assembly. This year a Global Summit on Nuclear Security and a Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons will be held in succession. It is highly important that Japan and the United States should coordinate their efforts in order to bring about a world free of nuclear weapons.
With regard to the issue of the Futenma Air Station replacement facility, Japan will maintain the Japan-US Alliance as the cornerstone (of its diplomacy), while the Committee to Consider the Issues concerning Bases in Okinawa will conduct active discussions on what solution would be best in order to ensure the peace of Japan and Asia while also to alleviate so far as possible the extremely heavy burden that has been borne by the residents of Okinawa over the years. The government shall decide on a specific replacement site by the end of May.
In the area of climate change, Japan and the United States have agreed to conduct technological cooperation, joint verification experiments and exchanges of research personnel in search of an integrated solution to global environmental and energy security issues. The results of such activities will of course have great implications for the whole world. We will further develop our alliance in this field, and the entire Japan-US Alliance, as relationships which contribute to the peace and prosperity of not only the two countries but also of the Asia-Pacific region and the world.
(Bilateral relations with countries in the Asia-Pacific region)
I will work to further enhance the mutually beneficial relationship with China based on common strategic interests so as to enlarge the circle of trust in the Asia-Pacific region.
This year marks the start of a new century in the relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea, and we will strive to reinforce bilateral relations which are truly future-oriented and friendly, without averting our eyes from the negative history of the past and looking squarely at the prospects of the coming century. With Russia we will strengthen our cooperation as partners in the Asia-Pacific region as we work to resolve the issue of the Northern Territories.
We will settle the "unfortunate past" and normalize relations with North Korea through a comprehensive resolution of the outstanding issues of concern with North Korea, including the abduction, nuclear and missile issues. This is indeed an important challenge in seeking to attain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. We will coordinate yet more closely with the countries concerned, including through the Six-Party Talks in order to induce concrete action from North Korea. The government will use all its powers and do its utmost through the newly-established Headquarters for the Abduction Issue so as to bring about the return of all victims of abductions to Japan as early as possible.
(Assistance to save lives from poverty, conflicts and disasters)
The people in Africa and elsewhere in the developing world who suffer from hunger and poverty, the refugees in (and around) Iraq and Afghanistan who cannot return to their homelands, the victims of international terrorism, and the people who have lost their homes in natural disasters -- what assistance can Japan provide to support the lives of such people? What are we called upon to do? With regard to the devastation wrought by the Haiti earthquake, Japan announced the dispatch of a unit of the Self-Defense Forces to serve in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) as well as emergency and reconstruction assistance amounting to approximately 70 million US dollars. In these and other situations, Japan will assist efforts to overcome various hardships and to rebuild countries, listening also to views which are only quietly expressed in the international community and collaborating closely with the United Nations and other international organizations and the major countries concerned. (MORE)
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