April 1, 2010
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Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa has urged new ministry officials to work to strengthen Japan-US ties for the new era.
Kitazawa addressed 124 new administrative officials and engineers at a welcome ceremony at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Thursday.
He said this year marks the 50th anniversary of the current Japan-US Security Treaty. He said one of the tasks now facing the 2 nations is relocating the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Okinawa.Kitazawa stressed the need to overcome difficulties and reinforce dialogue for a stronger alliance with the United States.
He also commented on the current participation by Self-Defense Forces in UN peacekeeping operations in quake-stricken Haiti. He said the ministry and the Self-Defense Forces must play active roles as members of the international community.
2010/04/01 15:19(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)
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