TOYKO: New US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed his country’s commitment Sunday to defending the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea under the bilateral security treaty.

Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and Austin, talking over the phone, confirmed that the security treaty’s Article 5, which stipulates US defense obligations to Japan, applies to the Senkaku chain.

The two ministers reaffirmed their countries’ opposition to any unilateral act that undermines Japan’s right to administer the islands.

Chinese coast guard ships have repeatedly intruded into Japanese territorial waters near the Senkakus, which are also claimed by Beijing.

Kishi and Austin agreed to conclude talks on a cost-sharing deal for US troops in Japan at an early date.

This marked the first ministerial talks between Tokyo and Washington since US President Joe Biden took office on Wednesday.

Austin expressed a desire to visit Japan at an early date.

The ministers agreed to work together to achieve the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.

They agreed that Japan and the United States will lead efforts to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. The US Defense Department said Austin encouraged Kishi to “strengthen Japan’s contribution to the role the alliance continues to play in providing security” in the region.”

The two ministers agreed that building a replacement facility in Henoko, Okinawa Prefecture, is the sole solution to stopping using the US Marine Corps’ Futenma air station in the Japanese prefecture. Okinawa residents oppose the plan.

Austin took office on Friday. Holding talks at such an early date “underscores the importance that the Biden administration attaches to East Asia and the Japan-US alliance,” Kishi told reporters.

JIJI Press