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A DPJ Research Commission on Security(RCS) delegation headed by DPJ Vice President Toshimi Kitazawa (Chair of the RCS) visited Washington DC in the United States from September 13 to 15. On September14, Kitazawa delivered a lecture entitled “Japan’s Defense Policy under the DPJ Government” at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
In addition, on September 13, the delegation had individual meetings with former Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage, Senator Jim Webb, and Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Carl Levin. Furthermore, on September 14, meetings were held with Assistant Secretary of Defense Mark W. Lippert, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations Daniel K. Inouye, and President of CSIS John J. Hamre. During the meetings, Kitazawa offered his condolences for the death of the U.S. Ambassador to Libya and 3 other victims, and explained the RCS and the purpose of the delegation’s visit to the United States. He stressed the importance of vitalizing Japan-US parliamentary diplomacy and conducting opinion exchange sessions continuously. He also raised the issues of the reviews of the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma relocation issue, the realignment of U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ), and the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation. Exchanges of opinion were conducted on such topics as the Japan-US Security Treaty, trends in China such as the situation of the Senkaku Islands, Japan-South Korea relations, situations in the Middle East, nuclear power policies, and the Japanese political situations.
During the visit, the delegation also met with people connected to “Operation Tomodachi” following the Great East Japan Earthquake, including former Commander of USFJ Burton Field, and exchanged opinions with the Japanese researchers.
At a press conference during the visit, Kitazawa explained the visit’s purpose by saying, “I am aware that communication between the parliamentarians of Japan and the United States, no matter whether they are in ruling or opposition parties, is on the decline. I came to the United States to strengthen our relations.” Kitazawa highly evaluated the meetings on security matters with members of the U.S. Congress, Government and think-tanks, stating, “We achieved great results.” In addition, Kitazawa remarked, “Members of the Government of Japan are visiting Washington at the same time as us, and together with them, we are also here to explain measures for nuclear power stations, an issue of concern to the United States.”
In addition to Kitazawa, the delegation consisted of Katsuya Ogawa (Acting Chair of the RCS) , Daizoo Kusuda (Vice Chair of the RCS), Hajime Hirota (Director General of the RCS), Motohiro Oono (Deputy Director General of the RCS), and Kenta Izumi.
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