Yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the U.S and Japan. The alliance was reconfirmed by the release of a joint statement of the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee.Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates along with Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Okada and Minister of Defense Kitazawa released the statement that reiterates the United States commitment to Japan’s security, and Japan’s commitment to peace and security to the Asia-Pacific region.
The U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee is committed to the advancing the objectives of both nations and further the development of the security environment. Recent events in the Northeast Asia area have confirmed the importance of this Alliance and the according to the joint statement the “security dialogue will address traditional security threats, as well as focus on new areas for cooperation.â€
The consultative committee’s joint statement addresses the need to adapt to the growing challenges of the 21st century. It also addressed training relocation, shared used of facilities and training areas, as well as Guam relocation. Furthermore, a “Green Alliance†approach between the United States and Japan includes the shared environmental responsibilities.