Japan and the US to cooperate in dealing with China and North Korea; Revisions in the Japan and the US defense guidelines are to be completed by the end of 2014; Japan to conduct joint naval exercise with the US and South Korea;
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print

    • During a meeting held in Tokyo on October 3, 3013, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera and his US counterpart Chuck Hagel agreed to cooperate in dealing with China’s ongoing military build up and North Korea’s continued nuclear weapon development programme. The Senkaku issue came up during the discussion. Hagel assured Onodera that those islands are subject to Article Five of the Japan-US security treaty, under which the US is obliged to protect Japanese territory. 1 On the same day, the two ministers also agreed to complete the revision of the bilateral defense guidelines by the end of 2014. The changes in the new guidelines are to reflect changes in the security environment in Asia and to keep the alliance vital in deterring conflict and advancing peace and security. 2

    According to reports, Japan is to participate in a joint naval exercise with the US and South Korea off the Korean Peninsula, with a view to boosting their defence cooperation despite the ongoing spat between Tokyo and Seoul over historical and territorial issues. The exercise will primarily focus on improving their capabilities to provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief. 3

    Top