Exclusive: Full text of Yomiuri Q&A with Secretary Carter
The Yomiuri ShimbunThe following is the full text of U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter’s written response to The Yomiuri Shimbun’s questions.
U.S.-Japan Defense Guidelines
The Yomiuri Shimbun: As the United States advances its rebalance to Asia, what kind of role do you hope the newly revised defense guidelines will play in enhancing today’s U.S.-Japan alliance? How do you evaluate Japan’s moves toward a limited use of the right to collective self-defense?
Secretary Carter: Before I traveled to Japan, I talked with students and faculty at Arizona State University about why President Obama’s rebalance to the Asia-Pacific — and the region’s future, including the U.S.-Japan alliance — matter to all Americans. As United States Secretary of Defense, I am personally committed to overseeing the next phase of our rebalance, which will deepen and diversify our engagement both in the region and with Japan.
There are few better examples of that commitment than our two governments’ work to update the Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation. The new Guidelines detail how our two governments will continue to work together — around the world — to ensure Japan’s continued peace and security. Updating them will transform the U.S.-Japan Alliance: expanding opportunities for the U.S. Armed Forces and the Japan Self Defense Forces to seamlessly cooperate. And I look forward to discussing the Guidelines with senior Japanese officials, including Prime Minister Abe and Defense Minister Nakatani, throughout my visit.
The United States welcomes and supports Japan’s efforts to play a more proactive role in contributing to peace and security both in the region and around the world. That said, we understand and respect that the decision on Japan’s security legislation, including the right of collective self-defense, is one for the people of Japan.
Senkaku Islands
Q: China’s rapid military build-up remains a destabilizing factor in the Asia-Pacific region. Tensions between Japan and China have deepened over the Senkaku Islands, heightening concerns that a misunderstanding could escalate into a contingency at any moment. What are your ideas on how Japan and China should conduct their relations to reduce tensions?
A: The United States welcomes the understanding between Japan and China to improve relations, in particular the agreement to establish crisis management mechanisms to avoid accidents. As the two largest economies in Asia, stable and productive relations between Japan and China are essential to the peace and prosperity of the region — indeed the world.
The U.S.-Japan Alliance remains the cornerstone of peace and security in the Asia-Pacific, and we stand firmly behind our Alliance commitments. Regarding the Senkaku Islands specifically, as President Obama said, during his visit to Tokyo last year, “the policy of the United States is clear — the Senkaku Islands are administered by Japan and therefore fall within the scope of Article 5 of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. And we oppose any unilateral attempts to undermine Japan’s administration of these islands.”
South China Sea
Q: China is presently creating a “Great Wall of sand” in the South China Sea through an unparalleled program of land reclamation. Such actions are raising flags that Beijing is building up capabilities to enforce a potential Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the South China Sea. How do you view China’s claims in light of these recent developments?
A: The United States and many other countries are deeply concerned about some of the activities China is undertaking. Its behavior in places like the South China Sea raises a number of serious questions, and we’re watching these developments closely. And these are concerns we raise with our Chinese counterparts, bilaterally and multilaterally, on a regular basis.
We are concerned by the scope and pace of China’s land reclamation activities, which are inconsistent with China’s own past commitments to ASEAN countries. We are especially concerned at the prospect of militarization of these outposts. These activities seriously increase tensions and reduce prospects for diplomatic solutions.
We urge China to limit its activities and exercise restraint to improve regional trust.
South and North Korea
Q: Concerns are mounting over Pyongyang’s progress in its nuclear and missile programs. How do you view the importance of the U.S.-Japan-ROK trilateral coordination in dealing with Pyongyang’s provocations?
A: Enhancing trilateral security cooperation is a key element of America’s rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region, and Japan plays a vital role in this important effort. That is why we are also committed to encouraging trilateral cooperation among the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. And we believe, after finalizing this past December a first-of-its-kind information-sharing arrangement between these two important allies, we have an opportunity to do so. I plan to discuss this issue on my visit with our allies in both Tokyo and Seoul.
Our three nations must look toward the future. The United States appreciates the historical sensitivities in this relationship, but we believe the potential gains of cooperation — the opportunities that exist for both our two long-time allies, and the entire region –outweigh yesterday’s tensions and today’s politics. Together the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea can best respond to North Korean nuclear and missile threats, enhance our deterrence, and assure regional stability.
Futenma Replacement Facility
Q: Since the new governor of Okinawa prefecture was inaugurated last December, Japan’s central government and the Okinawa prefectural government have been in a deep row over the planned relocation of MCAS Futenma. What are your thoughts on how the central government should work on this issue with the prefectural government? How do you view the significance of the relocation of Futenma Air Station to Henoko?
A: As part of America’s rebalance to the Asia-Pacific, we are adapting our overall defense posture in the region to be more broadly distributed, more flexible, and more sustainable. And, we are committed to being a good neighbor, which includes realigning our bases and being cognizant of the impact of our operations on local communities. That’s why in 2013, the U.S. and Japan published a bilateral consolidation plan that details how we will return almost 2,500 acres of land in Okinawa — a plan that I’m certain will continue to be implemented in a timely manner.
While I can’t comment on how Japan’s central and prefectural governments should work together, I can say that we deeply appreciate the strong support from Prime Minister Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga, and Defense Minister Nakatani for our bilateral realignment efforts with Japan, and we welcome progress on construction of the Futenma Replacement Facility at Camp Schwab-Henoko Bay. That facility is a key part of our commitment to make our presence in Japan and in Okinawa sustainable for the long term. And it is the only solution that will result in the return of the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
We are already seeing progress in both our countries on this important effort. In Japan, the West Futenma Housing Area was returned to the people of Japan last week, and our KC-130 squadron was transferred from Futenma to Iwakuni last summer. And in Washington, we secured Congressional approval to fully use the funding Japan has provided for construction on Guam, which is a major step forward to relocate Marines from Okinawa to Guam.Speech
No comments:
Post a Comment