Please have a seat it's an honor to stand here today with the Prime Minister of Japan president kashid prime minister kashida when I became president I said that the United States would rebuild the muscle of our de Democratic alliances and we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our allies again because our alliances are.
America's greatest asset the relationship with Japan is powerful proof of that that investing in our alliance and raising our Collective Ambitions we yield remarkable results over the last three years the partnership between Japan and the United States has been transformed into a truly Global partnership and that's thanks in.
No small part to the courageous leadership of prime minister kashida and I mean that sincerely together our countries are taking significant steps to strengthen defense security cooperation for modernizing command and control structures and to increasing the interoperability and planning of our militaries that they can work together.
In a seamless and effective way this is the most significant upgrade in our alliance since the end of since it was first established I'm also pleased to announce that for the first time Japan and the United States and Australia will create a network system of air missile and defense architecture we're also looking forward to standing up a.
Trilateral military exercise which Japan and the United Kingdom and our Aus defense partnership with Australia in the United Kingdom is exploring how Japan can join our work in the second pillar which focuses on Advanced capabilities including AI autonomous systems all told that represents a new Benchmark for our military cooperation.
Across a range of capabilities on the economic front our ties have never been more robust Japan is the top foreign investor in the United States say that again Japan is the top foreign investor in the United States and we the United States are the top foreign investor in Japan nearly 1 million Americans work in Japanese.
Companies here in the United States and to name just one example a few months ago Toyota announced an 8 billion investment in a massive battery production facility in North Carolina which will employ thousands of people prime minister is going to travel to North Carolina tomorrow to visit that project don't stay don't stay we need.
You back in Japan they'll probably try to keep you he also affirm the science and education ties between Japan and the United States those ties ties stretch up to the Moon where two Japanese astronauts will join future American missions and one will become the first non-american ever to land on the moon and they reach into the high schools and.
Universities as well where the manetta ambassador manetta's program exist named for our dear friend nor manetta we're going to invest in new student exchanges help train the next generation of Japanese and American leaders we also discuss developments in the Middle East including our shared support for a ceasefire and a hostage deal and Urgent.
Efforts to deal with the humanitarian crisis that exists in Gaza we also want to address the ranian threat to launch a signif they're threatening to launch a significant attack on Israel as I told prime minister Netanyahu our commitment to Israel's security against these threats from Iran and his proxies is Ironclad let me say.
It again Ironclad we're going to do all we can to protect Israel's security and finally I want to commend the Prime Minister himself he's a Statesman command you know the fact is that uh you condemned Putin's invasion of brutal invasion of Ukraine when it happened you pledged more than 122 billion in Aid prioritizing nuclear.
Nonproliferation at the United Nations security Council standing strong with the United States as we stand up for freedom of navigation including in the South China Sea and as we maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and taking the brave step of mending ties with the Republic of Korea so we can all stand shoulder-to-shoulder.
Together tomorrow we will both be joined by another good friend president Marcos of the Philippines for a trilateral summit the first of its kind and through it all our commitment to the defense of Japan under Article Five including the S excuse me Sako islands is unwavering Mr Prime Minister through our partnership we have.
Strengthened the alliance we have expanded our work together we've raised our shared Ambitions and now the US Japan Alliance is a beacon to the entire world there's no limit what our countries can and our people can do together so thank you for your partnership your leadership and your friendship and now over to you Mr Prime.
Minister for inviting us thank you Jo President Biden and I have met and talked countless times and confirmed our shared notion that we are at crucial Crossroads and that Japan us partnership is immensely.
Important the International Community stands at a historical turning point in order for Japan the US the Indo Pacific region and for that matter the whole world to enjoy peace stability and prosperity lasting into the future we must resolutely defend and further solidify a free and open International order based on the rule of.
Law and again today I told the president that now is the time to demonstrate the true values that Japan and the United States can offer AS Global Partners that we must together fulfill our responsibilities to create a world where human dignity is upheld and that Japan will always stand firm with the United.
States I explained that based on our national security strategy Japan is determined to strengthen our Defense Force Through POS question of Counter Strike capabilities increase or defense budget and other initiatives and was reassured by President Biden of his strong support.
For such efforts in such context we confirmed again the urgency to further bolster the deterrence and response capabilities of our alliance and concurred on reinforcing our security and defense cooperation to increase interoperability between the US.
Forces and our self-defense forces including the Improvement of our respective command and control Frameworks we will be discussing the specifics as we plan for the next Japan us 2+2 the president and I when on to discuss various specific challenges faced by the International.
Community First we confirmed that unilateral attempts to change status quo by force or coercion is absolutely unacceptable wherever it may be and that we will continue to respond resolutely against such action through cooperation with allies and like-minded Nations.
From such perspective we agreed that our two countries will continue to respond to challenges concerning China through close coordination at the same time we confirmed the importance of continuing our dialogue with China and cooperating with China on common challenges we also so underscored the.
Importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan streets and confirmed opposition to encourage peaceful resolution of the cross streets issue the situation in North Korea including nuclear and missiles development was brought up as well we welcomed the progress seen in many areas of cooperation based on the.
Outcome of the Japan us AR Summit last August and concurred to coordinate even more closely as we Face serious concerns under the current state of affairs President Biden once again demonstrated his strong support towards the immediate resolution of the abduction issue we reaffirmed the import.
Importance of realizing a free and open Indo Pacific based on the rule of law and concur to maintain close collaboration through various opportunities including the Japan us Philippines Summit which is planned for tomorrow regarding Russia's aggression of Ukraine based on a recognition that Ukraine today maybe East Asia.
Tomorrow taking the issue as our own problem for Japan I expressed our resolution to continue with stringent sanctions against Russia and strong support for Ukraine and we concur to maintain close partnership with like minded countries on the situation in the Middle East I expressed my respect for the.
Efforts of President Biden Wass the release of the hostages Improvement of the humanity situation and for calming down the situation I then explained how Japan is continuing diplomatic efforts to improve the humanitarian situation and to realize a sustainable ceas fire and agreed to continue close.
Cooperation towards the Improvement of the situation the realization of a two State solution and the stabilization of the region regarding the economy we firstly concurred that for both of us to lead the global economic growth together the promotion of investment in both directions is important.
I explained how Japanese businesses are making a significant contribution to the US economy by the investment and the creation of jobs to which President Biden agreed in order to maintain and strengthen the Competitive Edge in the area of Advanced Technologies and to respond appropriately to issues such as.
Economic coercion nonmarket policies and practices and excess capacities and to overcome the vulnerability of the supply chains and to lead a sustainable and inclusive economic growth we affirmed that the collaboration of Japan and the United States is indispensable in addition we concurred.
To advance our cooperation in the areas such as decarbonization Ai and startups there was a huge achievement also in the area of space in the first half of the 1960s when I was in the United States it was the dawn of of space development in the United States I am one of all those who were so excited in the US by the.
Spectacular challenge in Space the implementing Arrangement has been signed on this occasion and the provision of the Luna River by Japan and the allocation of two astronaut flight opportunities to the Luna service to Japan were confirmed under the emus program I welcome the lunar Landing by a Japanese.
Astronaut as the first non us astronaut we also discussed the efforts towards a world without nuclear weapons we affirmed the realistic and practical Endeavors of nuclear disarmament including the issuance of the G7 leaders Hiroshima Vision last year and I welcomed the participation of the United.
States in the fmct friends which was launched by my initiative lastly in order to further strengthen the People to People bond which is the Cornerstone of our unwavering Japan us relationship we affirm to further promote People to People exchanges as the outcome of our meeting today we will issue The Joint statement.
Titled the Global Partners for the future this is the expression of the determination of Japan and the United States to maintain and strengthen a free and open International order based on the rule of law that underpins the peace stability and prosperity of the International Community and state The Guiding.
Principles with our partnership we will defend the future of Japan and the United States the Indo Pacific and the world and make that future all the more prosperous thank you now we'll take a few questions Jordan Fabian of Bloomberg thank you Mr President last month you predicted the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates thanks to.
Falling inflation uh but today data showed that inflation Rose more than expected for the third straight month so how concerned are you about the fight against inflation stalling and do you stand by your prediction for a rate cut well I do stand by my prediction that before the year is out there be a rate cut this may delay at a month or so I'm.
Not sure that I don't we don't know what the FED is going to do for certain but look we have dramatically reduced inflation from 9% down close to 3% we're in a situation where we're better situated than we were when we took office where we inflation was skyrocketing and we have a plan to deal with it whereas the opposition my.
Opposition talks about two things they just want to cut taxes for the wealthy and uh raise taxes on other people and so I think there they have no plan our plan is one I think is still sustainable Mr Prime Minister uh you you said that the pwn steel acquisition of us steel is a private matter but I'm wondering did you discuss the matter.
Today with President Biden and do you believe that politics are influencing President Biden's decision to oppose the deal and I wouldn't mind Mr President if you answer that one too hi on the issue that you have raised we understand that discussions are underway between the parties.
We hope these discussions will unfold in directions that would be positive for both sides Japan believes that appropriate procedures based on law is being implemented by the US government Japan is the largest investor to the United States Japanese businesses employ close to 1 million workers in the United States and investment from Japan.
To the US can only increase upwards in the months and years to come and we wish to cement this winwin relationship thank you I stand by my commitment to American workers I man of my word I'm going to keep it and with regard to that I stand by our commitment to our alliance this is uh exactly what we're doing a strong.
Alliance as well prime minister's microphone please nakakuki of Kyon news my question is to both prime minister gisha and President Biden at the summit you confirmed your strong objections against unilateral attempts to change status quo by force.
Or coercion by China and agreed on reinforcing response capabilities under current circumstances should Japan and the United States bolster defense capabilities China may become more preoccupied in military expansion and intensify its coercive behavior that is the risk of dilemma in order to avoid divide and.
Expand avoid the Divide how should Japan and US respond let me then take that question first at this Summit we confirmed that the United States and Japan will resolutely defend and bolster a free and open International order based on the rule of law and that Japan and the United States AS Global Partners.
Shall work together for that purpose on challenges concerning China including the point you raised on objecting to unilateral attempts to change status quo by force or coercion we concurred that Japan and the United States AS Global Partners shall work in.
Close coordination and also as I said previously we will continue our dialogue with China and we will cooporate with China in tackling common challenges and the president and I confirmed the importance of such dialogue as well based on the.
Solid trust with our Ally the United States we will continue to call on China to fulfill its responsibilities as a major power Japan's policy with which I have consistently embraced is to comprehensively promote the mutual strategic relationship we have with China and establish a.
Constructive and stable Japan China relationship through efforts by both sides that has been my consistent position that I have upheld we will continue to seek close communication with China at all levels that's it for me you know uh first of all we keep improving our lines of communication with one another that's.
United States and China we I met I've recently spoken at length with president shei and we've agreed that we would number one have personal contact with one another whenever we want to discuss anything so there' be no nothing lipped as nothing slips as they say between the cup and the lip so we know exactly what the other team is thinking.
Number one and uh so we had a long discussion last Almost I guess almost two weeks ago now and uh the best way to reduce the chances of miscalculation and misunderstanding that's number one number two in our alliance we have with Japan is a purely defensive in nature it's a defensive Alliance and the things we discussed today improve our.
Cooperation and our and are purely about defense and Readiness it's not aimed at any one nation or a threat to the region and it it doesn't have anything to do with conflict and uh so this is about restoring stability in the region and I think we have a chance of doing that okay third next question where who I.
Call on next hang on a second I got my list here hang on I apologize really of AFP thank thank you my first question would go to both of you Mr President and Mr Prime Minister is there a path for Japan to become a full member of OAS and I would have a second question for you.
Mr President you're now saying that Benjamin metan is making a mistake in Gaza what are you willing to do to make him change his strategy and would you consider conditioning military aid to Israel thank you hi thank you your question about oras I will.
Respond our uh country we want to contribute to the peace and stability of the region and therefore we have consistently supported oras having said that the participants of oras us UK Australia with such countries by bilateral relationship or on multilateral occasions we have.
Established various relationships but for Japan to have a direct cooperation with oras nothing has been decided at this moment going forward with us UK or with Australia with such countries in bilateral or multilateral Frameworks we will continue our cooperation so that will continue to be considered at the moment about the.
Relationship between Japan and orus that's it with regard to uh my discussions with BB Netanyahu prime minister Netanyahu as well as our relationship with Israel I have been very blunt and straightforward with the Prime Minister as well as his War cabinet as well as the cabinet and uh the fact of the matter is that uh BB.
And I had a long discussion he agreed to do several things that related to number one getting more Aid both food and Medicine into Gaza and reducing significantly the attempts the civilian casualties in any action taken in the region and thus far and we and it's tied to the hostages there are a number of hostages that are being held uh by uh by.
The uh Hamas and uh just yesterday we're meeting with the vice president our national security advisor before that and they and they're American hostages as well and they know how committed we are the whole team to getting their loved ones home we're not going to stop until we do the new proposal on the table Bill Burns led the effort to uh.
For us we're grateful his work there's a now up to Hamas they need to move on the proposal that's been made and as I I said uh we get these hostages home where they belong but also bring back a six week ceasefire that we need now and the fact is that we're they're getting in somewhere in the last 3 days over 100 trucks it's not enough but need to be.
More and there's one more opening that has to take place in the north so we'll see what he does in terms of meeting the commitments he made to me this will be the last before Mr Shimizu please thank you shimu of NHK I ask her a question to both of you as prime minister kishida mentioned the.
Abduction issue of North Korea I believe was discussed prime minister you have expressed your wish to have a direct engagement with Kim JN but they say that is already resolved which means that they are refusing during the meeting what did you tell President Biden about the Outlook of a summit and what engagement did you ask President Biden.
President Biden my question what did you hear from prime minister kishida and what is your observation and feeling your president and with the nuclear missile issues what is your position do you support early Summit between Japan and North Korea thank you first of all if I may start.
Regarding my Summit meeting with President Biden about North Korea including the missile and nuclear issues we have discussed and regarding other increasingly worrying situation we have agreed to continue a close coordination and uh on uh top of that we concurred that the window of a.
Discussion with North Korea is open and we discussed that Japan us Japan us and R will continue to work closely together I also asked for the continued understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the abduction issue and President Biden once again gave myself a very strong assurance regarding the recent Announcement by.
North Korea I will refrain from commenting on each and every Announcement by North Korea but as I have been mentioning repeatedly based on other perspective that the establishment of a meaningful relation between Japan and North Korea is in the interest of both Japan and North Korea and that it would be hugely.
Beneficial to the peace and stability of the region my policy is to aim for a summit meeting with North Korea to resolve various issues and will advance high level consultation directly under my uh instruction and that remains unchanged that is my response we did discuss this issue we.
Both agree that dprk must must also address the serious human rights and humanitarian concerns of the international Community including the immediate resolution of the abduction issue but you know the Prime Minister has just spoken to the potential what his plans may mean but welcome I welcome the opportunity we welcome the.
Opportunity of our allies to initiate dialogue with the Democratic Republic of Korea so I've said many times we're open to dialogue ourselves at any time without preconditions with the dprk so I have faith in the in the Japan I have faith in the Prime Minister and I think is Seeking a dialogue with them is a good thing it's a positive thing thank.
Youk why didn't everybody holler at once I'll ask you briefly on the issue of abortion sir respect what do you say to the people of Arizona right now we're witnessing a law going in place that dates back to the Civil War elect me I'm in the 20 20th century 21st century not back then they weren't even State I find thank you all very much thank.
You this concludes the press conference by the house the war of Ukraine comes to end by the house leader allowing a vote there's overwhelming support for Ukraine among the majority of Democrats and Republicans there should be a vote now there is no ban to.
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