FOREIGN MINISTER KAMIKAWA: (Via interpreter) If I may, we will start the U.S.-Japan Ministerial on Extended Deterrence. It is a great pleasure that based on the leaders' joint statement in April, we have come to hold this standalone ministerial meeting on extended deterrence, separated from the 2+2 meeting for the first time. The U.S. extended deterrence backed by the full range of capabilities, including nuclear capabilities, is at the core of Japan-U.S. alliance. We are grateful for the commitment that the U.S. has shown on multiple occasions.
Amidst increasingly severe nuclear threats in the vicinity of Japan, it is important to further strengthen extended deterrence. I welcome the continuously deepening discussion on this matter centering on Japan-U.S. Extended Deterrence Dialogue, about which I have been reported by my staff. Building upon the achievement so far, I would like to hold a substantial discussion at the ministerial level, so may I invite the Secretary.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Yoko, thank you very much. Our alliance is a cornerstone of peace in the region, and here today we've taken significant steps to further deepen our security cooperation in a range of areas. Given the challenging security environment, strengthening nuclear deterrence has taken on greater importance. These discussions bolster our ability to extend the record of nuclear non-use that has lasted for nearly 80 years. I look forward to pursuing this conversation. Thank you.
FOREIGN MINISTER KAMIKAWA: (Via interpreter) Thank you. Then Minister Kihara, please.
DEFENSE MINISTER KIHARA: (Via interpreter) I would like to express my deep gratitude to the U.S. side for your cooperation in relation to the consultations on extended deterrence for the many years. This is the first endeavor at the ministerial level to have extended deterrence a focus the meeting this - of major significance. So following our discussion at the 2+2 meeting, that we are having a discussion focusing on extended deterrence, including nuclear capability of the U.S. side, in order to further strengthen the deterrence for our alliance - there will be good synergy. I'm looking forward for discussion.
FOREIGN MINISTER KAMIKAWA: (Via interpreter) Thank you. So Secretary Austin, please.
SECRETARY AUSTIN: Minister Kihara, Minister Kamikawa, thanks for convening this important meeting. I look forward to discussing ways to strengthen our alliance and to enhance regional stability. This includes maintaining deterrence through the full range of our conventional capabilities and U.S. nuclear capabilities.
And like Secretary Blinken, I want to reaffirm our extended nuclear deterrence commitment to Japan. Together, the United States and Japan face a complex security environment that demands an integrated approach. The PRC, Russia, and North Korea continue to threaten global security with their increasing emphasis on nuclear capabilities, so our extended deterrence relationship is more important than ever. I look forward to a good discussion today and to make even more progress on this alliance priority. Thank you.
