{ "error": "", "type": "text", "title": "Secretary Esper and [Japanese Defense] Minister Kono Press Conference", "slug": "secretary-esper-and-japanese-defense-minister-kono-press-conference", "text": "
\"SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MARK T. ESPER: Well good afternoon, everyone. Minister Kono, it is a pleasure to host you today as we honor the strong defense relationship between the United States and Japan. This Sunday, we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.<\/p>\n
The agreement formalized our commitment to addressing shared security concerns on the basis of freedom and democracy. Since then, we have united to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region and to uphold a rules-based international order.<\/p>\n
I'd like to thank the Minister for Japan's decision to -- to -- to deploy its Self-Defense Force assets to the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. In advancing our maritime security objectives, we will continue to share information and cooperate on operations in the Middle East as we work to promote freedom of navigation and freedom of commerce.<\/p>\n
Another American priority is the complete denuclearization of North Korea. The relationship among the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea remains vital to addressing this challenge, and we will continue trilateral defense exercises and information sharing to bolster regional security and achieve that objective.<\/p>\n
Additionally, as I told the minister, the United States seeks to balance constructive engagement with China with the protection of U.S. interests. We continue to counter China's destabilizing behavior in the region, especially in the South and East China Seas, and we remain opposed to unilateral attempts to undermine Japan's administration of the Senkaku Islands.<\/p>\n
The minister and I also discussed our progress in the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. We are grateful to Japan for ensuring our access to training ranges and airspaces, which help us maintain readiness, enhance regional security and stability, and deliver a strong deterrent message to China and North Korea.<\/p>\n
I'd also like to thank Japan for its leadership in advancing information security. We must maintain the momentum of last year's 2+2 meeting as we shore up potential vulnerabilities and expand our cooperation in areas such as space and cyber.<\/p>\n
In closing, our alliance has experienced a remarkable evolution over the past 60 years and our strong bilateral relationship will continue to be critical to our collective security and regional stability. I look forward to deepening that partnership and working with you, Mr. Minister, in the future. I think this was our third or fourth meeting together. So I thank you for your great cooperation and your friendship. Thank you. [...]<\/p>
Q: Mr. Secretary, North Korea had been expected to stage a significant weapons test around the holidays. Do you still -- do you see any indications that preparations for such a test (inaudible) are -- are not going forward anymore, or do you still believe that such a test is likely? [...]
<\/p>\n\n
SEC. ESPER: I -- I'll answer first since you stretched that one question into three or four, Phil. Look, we are -- we monitor very closely what's happening in North Korea with our Japanese partners and our South Korean partners. I'm not going to speak to any intelligence matters. <\/p>\n
I think the important thing to say is that we -- we endure -- enjoy a very close relationship between the three of us. It's very important that we -- we remain strong and unified and that we continue to send a message to North Korea that the best path forward is through a diplomatic solution that results in the denuclearization of North Korea.<\/p>\n
Q: But that means the test is still possible in your view?<\/p>\n
SEC. ESPER: Look, it's -- it's -- we'll see what happens. It's in -- it's in Kim Jong-un's hands, what he intends to do. We continue to send a message that we remain ready to fight tonight if necessary; and my second mission is to enable our diplomats, and we still believe that the best path forward is a diplomatic solution.\"<\/p>", "quote": null, "citation": "