Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio Before Their Meeting

PRIME MINISTER KISHIDA:  (Via interpreter) Let me first extend my wholehearted welcome to Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin’s visit to Japan.  I have been informed that there was a fruitful discussion at the 2+2 meeting.  We hope to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of our alliance through various frameworks at various levels, and also through concrete cooperation, including the leaders and the ministers level.  I would like to see your continued cooperation.

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, Prime Minister Kishida, thank you so much for receiving us today, and thank you and your entire team for the exceptional 2+2 that we held yesterday.  I think it is very safe to report that our alliance is stronger than it’s ever been.  And the initiatives, including on command and control, on joint production, as well as on extended deterrence, these are very much a result of your vision, of your leadership, and I believe, your legacy.  I’m grateful for it.  Thank you.

SECRETARY AUSTIN:  Mr. Prime Minister, again, thank you for meeting with us.  I really appreciate you carving out some time for us today, especially it’s – I’m told that it’s your birthday today.  (Laughter.)  Happy Birthday, Mr. Prime Minister.  (Applause.)  We did have a very productive 2+2 meeting yesterday, and I think in some ways you could describe it as historic.  Our alliance is strong as it’s ever been, and we’ve been able to achieve some very, very impressive things here over the last several years.  Many thanks to you for allowing us to hold the very first trilateral minister of defense meeting here in Tokyo with Korea – Republic of Korea.  And I think this sets an example – tremendous example – for the entire region.

We remain absolutely committed to the defense of Japan.  So I look forward to continuing to work with my counterpart in strengthening our ties.