Japan and the U.S. agree on a strengthening alliance in a tougher security environment

As they meet at the G7 summit of foreign- and development ministers in Liverpool (Britain), December 11, 2021, U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken and Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japanese Foreign Minister, pose. Olivier Douliery/Pool via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) – A Japanese government official stated that the Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasahayashi and U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken reached an agreement on Saturday regarding strengthening their countries’ alliance in a more difficult regional security environment.

Hayashi and Blinken met on the sidelines of a meeting of Group of Seven foreign ministers (G7) in Liverpool, England.

In a media briefing, a senior official stated that “the ministers, in view of the increasingly severe security climate in the region,” it was essential to boost the deterrence as well as response capabilities of Japan-U.S. Alliance.”

Faced with China’s military buildup and North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs, Prime Minister Fumio Kishhida stated Monday that he intends to fundamentally strengthen Japan’s defense posture and look into options such as acquiring the capability of striking enemy bases. Continue reading

According to the official, Hayashi and Blinken never discussed the diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics.

Canada joined the United States, Britain, and Australia in stating that they would not send any top officials to the Games earlier this week. They cited long-standing concerns about China’s human rights record. Japan has yet to clarify its position.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan’s leading newspaper, reported Saturday that senior Japanese officials would likely skip the Games and join the United States in a diplomatic boycott. Read more

Reporting by KiyoshiTakenaka
Editing by Gareth Jones and William Maclean

Our Standards The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles