US and Japan Announce Joint Statement on '60 Years of New Security Treaty'... "Strengthening Alliance"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] On the 17th, two days before the 60th anniversary of the revision of the security treaty, the United States and Japan issued a joint statement expressing their intention to further strengthen their alliance.

The joint statement, issued in the names of four cabinet members from both countries?U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, and Defense Minister Kono Taro?emphasized that the U.S.-Japan alliance is "rooted in an unwavering commitment to the values of democracy, respect for human rights, and a rules-based international order."

It further stated, "The U.S.-Japan alliance has played a necessary role in securing peace and security for both countries by realizing the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific through regional security cooperation, and will continue to fulfill that role going forward."

The statement added, "The U.S.-Japan alliance has become stronger, broader, and more indispensable than ever before," and "We highly appreciate the achievements of the past 60 years and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to strengthen the alliance and uphold the shared values and principles of both countries."

Regarding this, the Mainichi Shimbun evaluated that the two countries have clearly stated the principle of further strengthening the alliance in the future. The statement also included a phrase expressing gratitude to the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military for their dedicated service in protecting the shared values and interests of both countries.

The revised security treaty, signed on January 19, 1960, by then U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower and Nobusuke Kishi, the grandfather of current Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and enacted on June 23 of the same year, amended the existing security treaty between the U.S. and Japan, which had been concluded in accordance with the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty that established the post-Pacific War international order.

A notable feature of the revised treaty, which sparked intense opposition movements within Japan due to concerns over strengthened military cooperation with the U.S. and led to Prime Minister Kishi's resignation at the time, was the inclusion of a new provision obligating the U.S. to defend Japan in the event of an armed attack, thereby formalizing America's defense commitment to Japan.

However, during the height of the Cold War between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union, President Donald Trump criticized the treaty multiple times, claiming it was unfair by stating that "even if the U.S. is attacked, Japan would just watch with their Sony TVs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.