Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work met with Japan Vice Minister of Defense Masanori Nishi in the Pentagon today.  Work thanked Nishi for his continued support of the U.S.-Japan Alliance. 

 

The two leaders discussed a range of issues, to include the implementation of the new Guidelines for U.S.-Japan defense cooperation. They agreed that the new Guidelines had already established a more effective U.S.-Japan Alliance and pledged to continue implementation efforts.  They also exchanged views about key issues of mutual concern, such as defense cooperation and technology development. 

 

Work reaffirmed that the construction of the Futenma Replacement Facility (FRF) remains a critical step toward realigning U.S. forces on Okinawa. Deputy Secretary Work thanked Vice Minister Nishi for the Government of Japan's continued efforts to make progress on the FRF project.

 

Throughout the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed that the U.S.-Japan Alliance is the cornerstone of peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region, and committed to working together to strengthen and broaden the Alliance to meet the security challenges of the 21st century.