Japan and United States discussed final Draft of the new Defense Guidelines

By on May 17, 2015

Senior officials from Japan and the US put in a lot of time completing a key initiative before the recent Abe-Obama summit. The foreign and defense chiefs revised their countries’ defense cooperation guidelines for the first time in 18 years. They unveiled the changes in New York.

The guidelines lay out how the two sides will work together on defense matters. They’re designed to ensure seamless and effective coordination under normal circumstances, as well as in emergencies.

The guidelines allow for cooperation if countries other than Japan are attacked. This reflects pending legislation in Japan over its right to collective self-defense. Other areas of potential cooperation include international minesweeping operations and response to ballistic missile launches.

“The new guidelines are the result of efforts by our 2 nations,” said Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. “They include Japan’s commitment to work for world peace and stability and the rebalancing of US policy. The revisions will have a multiplier effect on those efforts.”

US Secretary of State John Kerry said “the guidelines that we have worked on that will be announced today will enhance Japan’s security, deter threats and contribute to regional peace and stability.”

The agreement also covers threats in cyberspace, and the 2 sides will work to ensure safety in outer space.

Kishida referred to an increase in China’s activities in the South China Sea and said Japan and the US will stand together and maintain international order and the rule of law.

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