Japan-US alliance now indispensable: Assures to defend allies

From Ang Malaya (Apr 30): Japan-US alliance now indispensable: Assures to defend allies

Japan and United States of America establish mechanism to defend an ally when need arises. “Today we mark the establishment of Japan’s capacity to defend not just its own territory, but also the United States and other partners as needed,” US Secretary of State John Kerry said during the unveiling of new guidelines on US-Japan defense cooperation.

“This is a historic meeting. It’s a historic transition in the defense relationship between our two countries,” the American government official said.

“Together, our forces will be more flexible and better prepared to cooperate on a range of challenges, from maritime security to disaster response. Our forces will plan, train and operate even more closely,” US President Obama said. “We’ll expand our cooperation, including on cyber threats and in space. And Japan will take on greater roles and responsibilities in the Asia Pacific and around the world.”

“We hope to promote a broad-based Japan-U.S. security and defense cooperation so that the deterrents as well as responsibilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance will be further strengthened,” Japan Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida.

“The U.S.-Japan alliance characterized by the firmness of its bond is now indispensable to the peace and stability of not only the Asia Pacific but to the world,” Japan Prime Minister Abe said.

http://www.angmalaya.net/world/2015/04/30/10580-japan-us-alliance-now-indispensable-assures-to-defend-allies