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NEWS TRANSCRIPT from the United States Department of Defense
 
DoD News Briefing
Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Minister of State for Defense of Japan Yoshinori Ohno and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Nobutaka Machimura
Saturday, October 29, 2005
 
 
            SECRETARY RUMSFELD:  Good morning.  We are very pleased to have
Minister Machimura and Minister Ohno, the Minister of Defense and the Minister of
Foreign Affairs here, and to welcome Secretary Rice.
 
 
 
            It's a pleasure to be with good friends and steadfast allies.
 
 
 
            I think it would be difficult to over-emphasize the importance of
today's meetings and the progress that's been made in this alliance.  It's
significant.  The security relationship between the United States and Japan now in
place for more than 50 years remains a bulwark of peace and prosperity in the Asia
Pacific region.
 
 
 
            But like all alliances, this relationship must and is in fact evolving
to remain strong and relevant and it's our joint responsibility to manage the
alliance evolution.  We are getting that job done.
 
 
 
            Japan and the United States have worked very closely together on many
regional security issues, strengthening the fundamentals of the alliance to assure
the security of Japan and peace in the region, developing ballistic missile
defenses, working to prevent the proliferation of dangerous weapons of mass
destruction, North Korea's nuclear program, and responding to humanitarian needs
such as the tsunami relief in Southeast Asia.  Japan is also providing valuable
assistance to new democracies in Afghanistan and Iraq.
 
 
 
            These efforts along with the leadership it provides in the global war
on terror demonstrates Japan's place as an important contributor to global as well
as regional security in the still early years of the 21st Century.
 
 
 
            Since agreeing on common strategic objectives in February, we have
moved forward with a shared vision to transform our alliance and to realign U.S.
and Japanese force posture in Japan.  We've agreed to findings and recommendations
that will strength capabilities the alliance requires to meet those common
strategic objectives.  At the same time we will be able to reduce impacts on local
Japanese communities.  This should ensure a durable, more balanced, and clearly
more capable alliance.
 
 
 
            The recommendations contained in our report -- alliance, transformation
and realignment -- have now been accepted and endorsed for action.  The task now is
to move forward with the transformation of our alliance.
 
 
 
            Minister Ohno?
 
 
 
            MINISTER OHNO:  [Through Interpreter].  Thank you very much indeed.
 
 
 
            We just had a most outstanding meeting of the so-called 2+2 with
Secretary Rice and my counterpart, Secretary Rumsfeld.  The consultations that we
have had this time I believe represent a truly historic process for a
transformation of the Japan-U.S. alliance, and I believe this really was for the
purpose of a fresh start of this process with renewed energy.
 
 
 
            I believe we are in fact opening a new era because Japan-U.S. alliance
to date, if anything, was for the purpose really of defending Japan through the use
of Japanese bases and U.S. forces whereas now, and of course in the process we also
have seen the legislation regarding response to situations in the area surrounding
Japan.  We're now talking about joint activities in various areas between Japan and
the United States in order to improve the peace and security around the world.
 
 
 
            One example is information sharing, especially in relation to missile
defense, as well as international disaster relief. But we are also talking about
shared use of facilities and also operation cooperation, joint operations, and
joint responses.
 
 
 
            So I would expect that through this transformation we'll see
ever-deepening contributions in terms of Japan-U.S. relations but also to
international peace.
 
 
 
            Let me next discuss a realignment of U.S. forces.  As I've oft repeated
we, Japan and the United States, have engaged in consultations regarding
realignment with two major points in mind.  That is the maintenance of deterrence
and the reduction of burdens in local communities, notably Okinawa.  As part of
these consultations there is the relocation of the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma
as well as relocation of approximately 7,000 U.S. Marines to Guam.
 
 
 
            I will not delve into details with regard to other areas, but let me
say that while the general direction has been laid down there still remains details
to be determined and I've asked for continued cooperation and support by the U.S.
side to work out further directions and also details.
 
 
 
            For example there is a question of [Retcon].  There is also the issue
of military/civilian joint use of the Yakota Air Base and the U.S. Army depot issue.
 
 
 
            I also asked that the U.S. side also consider seriously with us the
question of idle facilities.
 
 
 
            These measures, and especially the response to the Okinawa issue would
require substantive fiscal outlays.  I used to work for the Ministry of Finance and
in that context I was pretty much known as Mr. Oh No.  [Laughter].  But I suggested
that we would address these matters from the position of Oh Yes.  [Laughter].
 
 
 
            Also we need to cooperate with each other on global challenges, global
issues.  I will not delve into any details here, but in this regard Japan recently
extended the special measures law for the fight against terrorism.  Also in
December the current law, the special measures law for dispatch to Iraq will come
to an end and we will maintain close coordination with the United States to come up
with the proper adjustment on these matters.
 
 
 
            There are numerous things that Japan and the United States should
jointly do in the context of international disaster relief as well.  We will have
to, in the period leading up to March of this year, we have to engage in some
further consultations with each other to arrive at a final conclusion, and in that
context a major challenge for the Japanese government would be to gain the
understanding and cooperation of the local communities concerned so the Japanese
Defense Agency together with the Japan Defense Facilities Agency will with good
faith and utmost sincerity do its best to gain the cooperation by the local
communities concerned.
 
 
 
            So we will do our best to make the transformation for this new era
workable.
 
 
 
            SECRETARY RICE:  Let me just join Secretary Rumsfeld in welcoming our
Japanese colleagues, Minister Machimura and Director Ohno here to the United
States.  The four of us have had very fruitful discussions within the context of
the 2+2 that I think demonstrate the breadth of the U.S.-Japan relationship,
demonstrate that it has an enduring character based on shared values, and
demonstrate that we are determined to continue to enhance this relationship as we
face new issues in the 21st Century.
 
 
 
            I have nothing really to add to what Secretary Rumsfeld has said.  We
did in fact have a discussion of our global efforts together which are extensive, a
relationship as General Ohno said, a relationship that was once only about the
defense of Japan or perhaps about the stability in the region, has truly become a
global alliance.
 
 
 
            Let me just add that Minister Machimura and I also met last night and
we had an opportunity to talk about other issues, for instance trade, our devotion
to the next round of the World Trade Organization meetings in Hong Kong and the
importance of success in that.  We talked about the need to open Japanese markets,
our desire to see Japanese markets opened as quickly as possible for our beef
products.  But in general we have had a very broad discussion that is only
befitting two of the closest allies in the world, an alliance that is clearly based
on common values, that is clearly based on a desire to see freedom and liberty
spread.  And that understands that when democracy is on the march then we are all
safer, and when democracy is in retreat we are more vulnerable.
 
 
 
            MINISTER MACHIMURA:  [Through Interpreter].  Since the three have
already spoken before me I shall try and avoid overlap as much as possible.
 
 
 
            In the meeting this morning we first had a free exchange of views on
the international situation.   More specifically, we confirmed the importance of
Japan and the United States engaging in cooperation firmly with the international
community in such areas as peace in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Iranian nuclear
issue, as well as the earthquake disaster in Pakistan among others.
 
 
 
            In the Northeast Asian region we discussed the North Korean nuclear
issue and the progress in the 6-Party talks related to North Korea, as well as
encouraging China's constructive role in the interest of world peace as seen in
their efforts in the 6-Party talks.
 
 
 
            Others have already discussed U.S. forces realignment so I will not go
into that, but I believe that through the joint work we have conducted this time,
the Japan-U.S. alliance has been strengthened further, and I believe that the
results attained this time are important not just for the maintenance of Japan's
security but also for the peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region and in
fact the global society as a whole.
 
 
 
            President Bush will be visiting Japan in mid-November and I believe
that building on the results attained this time his visit to Japan will be a most
fruitful one.
 
 
 
            As Minister Ohno said, in the run-up to the final report we still can
have the important issue of addressing or gaining the understanding and cooperation
of the local communities, and it behooves the Japanese government as a whole to
properly and firmly address this issue, and if I could also discuss further
details, or a couple of issues that need to be addressed, there is the important
issue of the Kadina Air Base noise and also the joint use, civilian/military joint
use of Yakota Air Base, as well as the return of some idle facilities and areas
which Minister Ohno referred to as well.  These are also matters that need to be
addressed.
 
 
 
            Last but not least, I would like to pay my heartfelt respect to the
outstanding leadership exercised by, on the Japanese side, Minister Ohno, and on
the U.S. side, Secretary Rumsfeld.
 
 
 
            SECRETARY RUMSFELD:  It takes extra time, obviously for translation so
I'd like to suggest that we have a limited number of questions and that people ask
one question only, and they ask it of one person.  [Laughter].  I know that's a
brutal suggestion, but we would appreciate it.  [Laughter].
 
 
 
            PRESS:  [Through Interpreter].  My name is [inaudible] with Shinbun and
I have one question for Secretary Rumsfeld.
 
 
 
            I believe that the negotiations regarding relocation of Futenma Air
Station had a difficult going, and I wonder how you were watching the development
of those consultations.  And with regard to the agreement that's been arrived at,
how do you see the visibility of this agreement?
 
 
 
            SECRETARY RUMSFELD:  I was watching it hopefully.  My impression is
that it's been an excellent negotiation and a good outcome.  Change is always
hard.  The task now is to see towards implementation in a way that's satisfactory
from everyone's standpoint.
 
 
 
            PRESS:  Minister Ohno, in your opening statement you described Japan's
desire to play a greater role in "the peace and security around the world."  What
kinds of new missions might Japan be willing to undertake to do that?  Mr.
Secretary, I won't violate your rule, but if you --
 
 
 
            SECRETARY RUMSFELD:  You're starting to violate it.  [Laughter].
 
 
 
            PRESS:  I will give you the opportunity to also comment.  [Laughter].
 
 
 
            MINISTER OHNO:  [Through Interpreter].  With regard to the new
missions, there are two major pillars in the new national defense program
guidelines of Japan and one of them is improvement of international security
environment.  This would not conflict with the Japanese constitution.  So we will
engage in activities that will not involve the use of force or would not be
conducted in conjunction with the use of force such as humanitarian and
reconstruction activities, logistics support for the prevention of terrorism, and
also international emergency disaster relief activities and we're talking about
engaging in these activities jointly with the United States.
 
 
 
            SECRETARY RUMSFELD:  And I'll decline the opportunity to violate my
rule.  [Laughter].
 
 
 
            PRESS:  [Through Interpreter].  My name is Kobashi with NSK Japan
Broadcasting Corporation.  A question for Secretary Rumsfeld.
 
 
 
            Japan to date has made international contributions in relation to Iraq
in humanitarian reconstruction and in counter-terrorism activities.  In East Asia,
however, you see factors of instability such as North Korea.  In the interim report
you speak of more coordination between Japan and the United States, and I wonder as
Secretary of Defense what specific roles you would expect of Japan.
 
 
 
            SECRETARY RUMSFELD:  The specific roles we would expect of Japan are
those roles that Japan feels comfortable performing.  Japan has the second largest
economy on the face of the earth.  The people of Japan benefit greatly from the
international system.  Clearly Japan has an interest in the success of the
international system.  With an interest in the success of that system which
benefits the Japanese people, it seems to me it's appropriate for Japan to find
ways in the 21st Century that they can contribute to making the system successful.
 
 
 
            Our guests from Japan have airplanes to catch.  I think we'll take one
more question.
 
 
 
            PRESS:  I have a question for you, sir but since Secretary Rice is a
guest in our house maybe she would like to violate your rule and comment.
 
 
 
            SECRETARY RUMSFELD:  Why don't you ask it?  [Laughter].
 
 
 
            PRESS:  Well, it's really more a defense question, sir, but in a sense
it hinges on both.  The question is about the new saber rattling by the President
of Iran against Israel.  Do you take it seriously?  And if so, what does the United
States plan to do about it?
 
 
 
            SECRETARY RUMSFELD:  Madame Secretary.
 
 
 
            SECRETARY RICE:  Thank you, Mr. Secretary.
 
 
 
            I think it has to be taken seriously.  When the President of one
country says that another country should be wiped off the face of the map in
violation of all of the norms of the United Nations where they sit together as
members, it has to be taken seriously.
 
 
 
            There has been widespread condemnation of this statement and it only
demonstrates why we're working so hard to keep Iran from getting technologies that
would lead to a nuclear weapon under cover of civilian nuclear power, why we're
working so hard to remind the world that Iran is probably the most important state
sponsor of terrorism, and why people should never forget that the Iranian people
live without freedom and without the prospect of freedom because an unelected few
are denying them that.
 
 
 
            So I think you're seeing the world rally to that view.
 
 
 
            SECRETARY RUMSFELD:  Thank you very much, everybody.
 
 
 
            SECRETARY RICE:  Thank you.
 
 
 
            MINISTER MACHIMURA:  Thank you.
 
 
 
            MINISTER OHNO:  Thank you.