Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has expressed willingness to boost deterrence and response capabilities of his country’s alliance with the United States in various fields.
Kishida met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo on Monday.
Blinken and Austin came to Japan to attend “two-plus-two” talks held on Sunday with their Japanese counterparts. Blinken also attended the Quad meeting of the foreign ministers of Japan, the US, Australia and India on Monday.
Kishida said he was briefed that meaningful discussions were held at the “two-plus-two” talks.
He also said he wants to strengthen the alliance’s capabilities on various levels and fields through exchanges between leaders and Cabinet members.
Blinken said the bilateral “alliance is stronger than it has ever been.” He added that it is very much of the result of Kishida’s vision and leadership.
Austin said the two-plus-two talks were very productive and can be described “as historic.”
He also said the US remains “absolutely committed to the defense of Japan.”