Japan-US Summit Meeting: Strengthening Cooperation for Stability of the International Order

Published in Yomiuri Shimbun
(Japan) on 23 January 2022
by (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Owen Hester. Edited by Patricia Simoni.
There is a conspicuous movement toward tyranny that is threatening the international order. In order to maintain peace and prosperity in the world, Japan and the U.S. must further strengthen their cooperation in various fields and on various issues.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met with U.S. President Joe Biden in an online format. This was the first time that the two leaders discussed the regional situation and diplomatic strategy at length.

At the end of the meeting lasting one hour and 20 minutes, Kishida told reporters, "We had a frank discussion on how Japan and the U.S. can work together and lead the international community."

It is significant that the two leaders deepened trust in their personal relationship and showed their determination to deal with a wide range of issues, including security and the economy, in a coordinated manner.

At the meeting, the leaders agreed that Biden will visit Japan in the first half of this year, and that Japan, the United States, Australia and India will hold a summit meeting in Japan.

Japan, the U.S., Australia and India represent the key framework for promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific. We would like to make efforts to coordinate with other countries so that we can achieve results by enhancing measures against infectious diseases and assistance to developing countries in infrastructure development.

The two leaders also agreed to establish a new economic version of the "two plus two" [dialogue] of foreign and economic ministers.

China is trying to strengthen its influence on other countries through economic coercion by controlling the supply chain of resources and goods. It is also believed that China is trying to obtain cutting-edge technology to convert it to military use.

Japan needs to work with the U.S. to create international rules to balance free trade and economic security. It is also important to continue to urge the U.S. to return to the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The U.S. is said to be seeking to create a new economic framework in the Indo-Pacific region, and I hope that this will be discussed in detail at the two plus two meeting.

The two leaders reiterated the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and confirmed their policy of working together to deal with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In the East China Sea, China has repeatedly intruded into the territorial waters of the Senkaku Islands. It is essential that the principle be clarified: unilateral change of the status quo by force will never be tolerated.

The two leaders expressed concern over North Korea's successive missile launches. The prime minister conveyed his intention to consider acquiring enemy base attack capability, and Biden welcomed efforts to strengthen defense capabilities.

How can we enhance the deterrence and coping capabilities of the alliance? It is important that the overall strategy and specific systems be discussed in greater detail.


 国際秩序を脅かす専制主義国家の動きが目立っている。世界の平和と繁栄を維持するために、日米両国は、様々な分野と課題について、一層連携を強めなければならない。

 岸田首相が米国のバイデン大統領とオンライン形式で会談した。地域情勢や外交戦略などをめぐり、両首脳がじっくり協議したのは初めてである。

 1時間20分にわたる会談の終了後、首相は記者団に「日米がいかに連携し、国際社会をリードしていくかについて率直な議論ができた」と語った。

 両首脳が個人的な信頼関係を深め、安全保障や経済などの幅広い課題に協調して対処していく決意を示した意義は大きい。

 会談では、バイデン氏が今年前半に来日し、日米豪印4か国の首脳会談を日本で開催する方針で一致したという。

 日米豪印は、「自由で開かれたインド太平洋」を推進する鍵となる枠組みだ。感染症対策やインフラ整備での途上国支援などを充実させて成果を上げられるよう、各国との調整に努めたい。

 両首脳は、外務・経済閣僚による経済版「2プラス2」を新設することでも合意した。

 中国は、資源や物資の供給網を握り、経済的な威圧を通じて各国への影響力を強めようとしている。最先端技術を入手し、軍事転用を図っているともされる。

 日本は米国とともに、自由貿易と経済安保を両立させるための国際ルール作りに取り組む必要がある。米国に対し、環太平洋経済連携協定(TPP)への復帰を引き続き促していくことも大切だ。

 米国は、インド太平洋地域での新たな経済枠組みの創設を目指しているという。2プラス2で詳細に議論してもらいたい。

 両首脳は、台湾海峡の平和と安定の重要性を改めて強調するとともに、ロシアがウクライナに侵攻した場合は足並みをそろえて対処する方針を確認した。

 東シナ海でも、中国が尖閣諸島への領海侵入を繰り返している。力による一方的な現状変更は、決して許されないという原則を明確にすることが不可欠である。

 両首脳は、相次ぐ北朝鮮のミサイル発射に懸念を示した。首相は敵基地攻撃能力の保有を検討する考えを伝え、バイデン氏は防衛力強化の努力を歓迎したという。

 どうすれば同盟の抑止力と対処力を高められるか。総合的な戦略や具体的な体制について、より緊密に協議することが重要だ。
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