United States and Japan

The United States and Japan are working to modernise their military alliance in the face of threats from China, North Korea and Russia, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin says.

Austin is in Tokyo on a brief trip for bilateral talks before heading to the Shangri-La Dialogue defence summit in Singapore.

Speaking before talks with his Japanese counterpart, Austin said the alliance faced "common challenges from the PRC's (China's) coercive behaviour, North Korea's dangerous provocations and Russia's cruel war of choice in Ukraine."

"But we are united by our shared interests and shared values. And we are taking important steps to modernise our alliances and strengthen our deterrence," he adds. — AFP

The United States and Japan have reached an agreement on trade in minerals that are key to electric vehicle batteries, US trade officials say, a move to reinforce supply chains in a sector dominated by China.

Rare earth elements and minerals such as lithium are becoming increasingly important in clean energy technologies, but the United States is set to face gaps in such critical mineral supplies when it comes to meeting expected demand for EVs.

The latest US-Japan deal includes commitments not to impose export duties on critical minerals shipped to the other country, says a statement released by the US Trade Representative (USTR).

"The United States and Japan share a common interest in strengthening supply chains between like-minded partners and increasing resilience against threats such as economic coercion," the USTR adds.

Ambassador Katherine Tai says the agreement marks "a welcome moment" as Washington continues to work with allies and partners to boost supply chains, including through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). — AFP

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has met with his Japanese counterpart Yasukazu Hamada at the Pentagon on Thursday, a day after Washington announced it would deploy a more agile Marine unit on its ally's soil.

"Secretary Austin underscored the unwavering US commitment to the defense of Japan, including US extended deterrence provided by the full range of conventional and nuclear capabilities," Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder says in a statement.

"The ministers affirmed that the alliance is stalwart in the face of challenges, and steadfast in support for shared democratic values and norms that underpin the rules-based international order," the statement adds. — AFP

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin meets with his Japanese counterpart Yasukazu Hamada at the Pentagon, a day after Washington announced it would deploy a more agile Marine unit on its ally's soil.

"Secretary Austin underscored the unwavering US commitment to the defense of Japan, including US extended deterrence provided by the full range of conventional and nuclear capabilities," Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder says in a statement.

"The ministers affirmed that the alliance is stalwart in the face of challenges, and steadfast in support for shared democratic values and norms that underpin the rules-based international order," the statement adds. — AFP

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says Wednesday he would hold talks with US President Joe Biden at the White House on January 13, and would also visit other G7 allies this month.

The visit will be Kishida's first trip to the US capital since taking office in October 2021, though he has held talks with Biden several times, including in Japan.

Japan is assuming the presidency of the G7 grouping and Kishida said he also planned to visit members France, Italy, Canada and Britain this month. — AFP

The United States says it had opened talks with Japan aimed at reducing US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports imposed under former president Donald Trump, after Washington reached a deal on the same issue with the European Union.

Citing "distortions" caused by global overproduction fueled by China, "the United States and Japan will seek to resolve bilateral concerns in this area," US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo say.

"The United States and Japan have a historic alliance, built on mutual trust and respect," Tai and Raimondo say in a statement, before taking aim at Beijing. — AFP

In a joint statement, defense chiefs of the United States, Japan and Australia express "strong opposition to the use of any coercive unilateral actions that seek to alter the status quo or increase tensions in the East China Sea."

Meeting on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual high-level security forum in Singapore, U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, newly installed Australian Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds and Japan's Minister of Defense Takeshi Iwaya say they are committed to closely cooperate on the security situation in the Western Pacific Ocean, "with a view to deter such actions."

The ministers are evidently referring to China, whose artificial islands in the South China Sea have finished construction despite international condemnation. It has been reported to have built radar systems believed to aid strategic and military activity in the waters within the sovereignty of neighboring states like the Philippines. — Photo from DoD

US President Donald Trump became the first foreign leader to meet Japan's new Emperor Naruhito at a ceremony in Tokyo's imperial palace.

The two countries' national anthems played and flags of the close allies fluttered in the breeze outside the palace.

Naruhito ascended to the throne after his father stepped down in the first abdication in two centuries.

Photo: US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are greeted by Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako during a welcome ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2019. Brendan Smialowski / AFP

US President Donald Trump arrives in Japan for a four-day trip likely to be dominated by warm words and friendly images, but light on substantive progress over trade.

Japanese and US officials hail as "unprecedented" the relationship between Trump and his "golf buddy", Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and the pair will again find time for a round to cement their diplomatic bromance.

The official centrepiece is Trump's meeting on Monday with Japan's new Emperor Naruhito, who only ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne at the beginning of the month following his father's historic abdication for health reasons.