The foreign and defense chiefs of Japan and the United States are expected to meet in Tokyo on Sunday. The officials are also scheduled to hold the first ministerial-level talks on the US extended deterrence to defend Japan.
Japan’s Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko told reporters on Tuesday that she and Defense Minister Kihara Minoru will be taking part from Japan, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will attend to represent the United States. It will be the first “two-plus-two” talks between the two countries in 18 months.
The attendees are expected to talk about improving the command and control of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and US forces, as well as cooperating in the defense industry field.
Also on the agenda is the sexual violence inflicted by US military personnel on local residents in Okinawa and how to prevent recurrences.
The foreign and defense chiefs are also scheduled to hold the first ministerial-level talks on the US military’s extended deterrence capabilities to safeguard Japan.
Kamikawa said that as the security climate around Japan becomes harsher, it’s extremely significant that bilateral cooperation to strengthen the US extended deterrence will be discussed at the ministerial level.
In related moves, South Korea’s Defense Minister Shin Won-sik will visit Japan at the same time and hold talks with his Japanese and US counterparts. In addition, Japan, the US, Australia and India, which are called Quad countries, are scheduled to hold a foreign ministerial meeting on Monday.