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On November 13, Prime Minister (DPJ President) Yukio Hatoyama met with US President Barack Obama during the latter’s recent visit to Japan. The two agreed to use the opportunity presented by the 50th anniversary of the revision of the Japan-US Security Treaty, which falls next year, to begin discussions toward building an even more constructive Japan-US alliance that befits the 21st century.
At the start of the meeting, Hatoyama and Obama each introduced their nation’s respective participants, and discussions began in a cordial mood. Hatoyama expressed his appreciation to Obama for taking the time to visit Japan at such a difficult time, considering the tragedy of the recent mass shooting at Fort Hood.
During the meeting, the two confirmed that, in President Obama’s words, “Japan and the United States have been and will continue to be equal partners”, and agreed that Japan and the US should engage in even closer cooperation, not just with regard to security, but also in such fields as the environment, education, medical and public health care, and disaster response.
In particular, a “Japan-United States Joint Statement Toward a World Without Nuclear Weapons” was issued, with the two sides clearly proclaimed their intention of cooperating in aiming for a nuclear-free world. In this document, Japan and the US call on Iran and North Korea to confirm and meet their international obligations. They also urge North Korea to return to the Six Party Talks without attaching any conditions to participation.
Furthermore, with relation to the issue of climate change, the two governments each agreed to aim for a reduction of 80% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
In addition, Hatoyama proposed a new plan for Japan to provide assistance to Afghanistan that would involve 5 billion yen’s worth of aid over 5 years, mainly in the civilian sector. Obama expressed his appreciation for this proposal.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Okada, Minister of Defense Kitazawa, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Naoshima, Minister of Environment Ozawa, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno for Japan, and Assistant Secretary of State Campbell, Ambassador Roos and others for the United States.
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