Transcript:
Biden-Suga remarks at press briefing
'There is an agreed recognition over the importance of
peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait'
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks alongside Japan's Prime Minister
Yoshihide Suga as they hold a joint news conference in the Rose Garden.
© Reuters
April 17, 2021 06:52 JSTUpdated on April 17, 2021 08:23 JST
WASHINGTON -- This is an edited transcript of the remarks made by U.S.
President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at a joint
press briefing held at the White House's Rose Garden on Friday.
(Read our story: Biden and Suga vow to keep
Indo-Pacific 'free and open')
BIDEN: Prime Minister's brought the sun out, so we can do about anything.
Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for being
here. It's been my pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Suga to the White House.
This is our first in-person meeting here, the first head of state that I've
asked in my administration to come to the White House. Yoshi -- thank you for
making the long trip to Washington.
We've already met several times
virtually at the G-7 meeting and the Quad Leaders Summit. But I greatly
appreciate the chance to spend time with you in person, and to make our
exchange of ideas face-to-face. There's no substitute for face-to-face
discussions. We are still taking COVID precautions, being careful. But our commitment
to meet in person is indicative of the importance, the value we both place on
this relationship between Japan and the United States, this partnership. We had
a very productive discussion today. When nations as close as ours get together,
we always look for operations and opportunities to do more.
And today was no exception. So Yoshi,
you'll probably be seeing a lot more of me in the future. Today Prime Minister
Suga and I affirmed our ironclad support for U.S.-Japanese alliance and for our
shared security. We committed to working together to take on the challenges
from China, and on issues like the East China Sea, the South China Sea, as well
as North Korea to ensure a future of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Japan and the United States are two
strong democracies in the region, and we're committed -- we are committed to
defending, advancing our shared values, including human rights and the rule of
law. We are gonna work together to prove that democracies can still compete and
win in the 21st century, that we can deliver for our people in the face of a
rapidly changing world. So today we are announcing a new Competitive and
[Resilience] Partnership -- CORE --
between Japan and the United States that will enhance our ability to meet the
pressing challenges of our time -- together meet those challenges.
Top of our agenda is of course getting
the pandemic under control, and helping our friends and neighbors throughout
the Indo-Pacific region to recover. Earlier this year, we together with India
and Australia launched a landmark Quad vaccine partnership to expand the
manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines, and assist countries throughout the region
with vaccination efforts. And we agreed to enhance our support for global
vaccination efforts through the ACT Accelerator and COVAX facility.
We're also going to do more beyond this
pandemic, to advance longer term goals for health security: reform of the World
Health Organization and establishing a new partnership on health security, to
build better preparedness for the next pandemic, because there will be others.
Secondly, Japan and the United States
are both deeply invested in innovation and looking to the future. That includes
making sure we invest in, and protect the technologies will maintain and
sharpen our competitive edge. Those technologies are governed by shared
democratic norms that we both share norms set by democracies, not by
autocracies. So we are going to work together across a range of fields, from
promoting secure and reliable 5G networks to increasing our cooperation on
supply chains for critical sectors like semiconductors, to driving joint
research in areas like AI, genomics, quantum computing, and much more.
Thirdly, our nations are committed to
taking aggressive action to meet the threats of climate change. Next week, I'll
be hosting the Climate Leaders Summit, which Prime Minister Suga also plans to
attend, thankfully, to rally key nations of the world to making ambitious
climate commitments in the lead up to the Glasgow Summit later this year. Japan
and the United States are both committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050,
and we know to do that will require setting and meeting our 2030 goals. And we
will work together to advance clean energy technologies and help nations
throughout the Indo-Pacific region, especially developing countries, develop
renewable energies and decarbonize their economies. EE ALSO
Biden and Suga refer to 'peace and stability of Taiwan
Strait' in statement
And finally, both Prime Minister Suga
and I value the incredible partnership that exists not just between our
governments, but between the Japanese people and the American peoples. Last
month, we jointly marked the 10th anniversary of the earthquake, tsunami and
nuclear disaster across so many lives in Japan. I visited this area shortly
after it happened. In our private lunch, the vice president and the president
-- the prime minister and I talked about, when I was vice president, visiting
the families in the region to show support of the United States. We continue to
mourn the loss of all those folks, and to honor the extraordinary joint effort
between Japan and the American people in the wake of that tragedy to recover
and to rebuild. In those personal bonds of friendship and constant connection,
they are the ones who are going to keep this alliance strong and vibrant for
decades to come.
And I'm especially proud that today, we
agreed to resume what we call -- what is called the Mansfield Fellowship
Program, to promote people-to-people connections between our countries. Before
Mike Mansfield -- who was a beloved ambassador to Japan -- became ambassador,
he was a mentor of mine when I came to the Senate after my wife and daughter
were killed, and he helped me along in ways I can't even explain in the United
States Senate. I'm proud -- I'm proud this legacy continues to be honored as
part of the close enduring partnership between our nations.
And Yoshi -- and I'm proud you are of,
and the people of Japan are -- you've got a Japanese boy coming over here and
guess what, he won the Masters. He won the Masters, he won the green jacket,
and Matsuyama was the first Japanese player to take home that green jacket of
the Masters tournament this week. So let me say congratulations to Japan as
well on that feat.
Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for making
the trip. I look forward to all that Japan and the United States will
accomplish together in the coming years. It was a great honor having you as the
first head of state in my administration. The floor is yours.
SUGA: It is
truly a pleasure to be here in person visiting Washington, DC. I would like to
thank President Biden and Vice President Harris, who have welcomed me so
warmly. I also wish to extend my gratitude to all the members of the U.S.
government, who have worked to prepare for this occasion. The United States is
Japan's best friend. Japan and the US are allies that share universal values,
such as freedom, democracy and human rights. Our alliance has served its role
as the foundation of peace and stability for the Indo-Pacific region and the
world.
In light of the current regional
situation and the severe security environment, the importance of our alliance
has reached new heights. Based on such common recognition at today's summit, we
engaged in far-reaching and candid exchange of views on each other's political
principles, challenges faced in each of our nations, our common vision, and
other matters.
President Biden and I reaffirmed the
recognitions confirmed at the Japan. U.S "2+2" held last month, and
agreed to engage in initiatives for the region based upon such recognitions. We
also discussed the free and open Indo-Pacific. We agreed that while Japan and
the U.S. will take the lead to promote the vision through concrete efforts. We
will also cooperate with other countries and regions, including the ASEAN,
Australia and India.
We also had serious talks on China's
influence over the peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and the world at
large. We agreed to oppose any attempt to change the status quo by force or
coercion in the East and South China Seas and intimidation of others in the
region. At the same time, we agreed on the necessity for each of us to engage
in frank dialogue with China, and in so doing to pursue stability of
international relations, while upholding universal values.
On North Korea, we confirmed our
commitment to the CVID of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic
missiles of all ranges, and agreed to demand North Korea to fulfill its obligations
under Security Council resolutions. On the issue of abduction, we reaffirmed
that it is a grave human rights issue, and that our two countries will work
together to seek immediate resolution by North Korea. In countering North
Korea, and for the peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific, both of us
recognized that trilateral cooperation including the ROK has never been as
important as today, and agreed to promote such collaboration,
Noting that the social security
environment has become increasingly severe, the deterrence and response
capabilities of our alliance must be strengthened. I conveyed my resolve to
reinforce Japan's defense capabilities while President Biden again demonstrated
America's commitment to the defense of Japan, including the application of
Article Five of the Japan-U.S. Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security for
the Senkaku Islands. We also agree to accelerate the review underway between
our two countries on the specific means to strengthen our alliance. At the same
time, from the perspective of mitigating the impact on local communities
including first and foremost Okinawa, we agreed to promote the realignment of
the U.S. forces in Japan, including the relocation of Air Station Futenma to
Henoko, which is the only solution to avoid its permanent use.
In responding to the unprecedented
crisis faced by the international community such as COVID-19, and climate
change, Japan and the U.S. are mutually indispensable partners. President Biden
and I share the recognition that our two nations -- their significant
responsibilities to lead all bilateral initiatives toward the resolution of
such issues. In this context, we agreed to respect international order based
upon multilateralism and the rule of law, while exercising joint leadership to
build back better our global community.
Based on such an outcome of our meeting,
today we are releasing the Japan-U.S. joint leaders' statement: Global
Partnership for a New Era, which will serve as the guiding post for our
alliance in the times ahead, which strongly demonstrates our solidarity towards
the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
From the perspective of our two nations'
leading efforts to build a better. President Biden and I agreed on the
Japan-U.S. core partnership and confirmed it to promote cooperation and common
priority areas including promotion of competitiveness and innovation in digital
science and technology, COVID-19 countermeasures, green growth and climate
change.
For competitiveness and innovation,
under the recognition that digital economy and new technologies in particular
will bring about social transformation and huge economic opportunities, we have
agreed that Japan and the U.S. will work together on the promotion of R&D
of various areas including the digital area and others.
Regarding response to COVID-19, from
short-term responses to longer-term efforts, including their preparations for
future similar incidents, we will work on the promotion of multi-layered
cooperation regarding the overall supply of vaccines and the reinforcement of
Japan-U.S. public and private cooperation in the area of global health. We
confirmed that cooperation between our governments will continue. In order to
ensure equitable access to vaccines including access by developing countries, multilateral
and regional corporations will be promoted.
On the matter of climate change, at the
upcoming climate summit to be hosted by the U.S. next week, or at COP26 and
beyond, we confirmed that Japan and the U.S. will lead the global
decarbonization in order to further strengthen cooperation in areas such as the
implementation of the Paris Agreement, clean energy technologies, or the
carbonization transition of developing countries, I agreed with President Biden
to launch a climate partnership on ambition, decarbonization and clean energy.
Under these initiatives, I wish to give impetus to concrete and comprehensive
Japan-U.S. cooperation.
I discussed the increase of
discrimination or violence against Asian people across the U.S., with President
Biden and agreed that discrimination by race cannot be permitted in any
societies. We agreed on this regard. President Biden's comment that
discriminations or violence cannot be allowed and that he firmly opposes [them]
was extremely encouraging for me, and I have renewed my confidence in American
democracy once again.
I told the President about my
determination to realize the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer as
a symbol of a global unity. President Biden once again expressed his support
for this determination. Japan is listening to and learning from WHO, and
experts are doing everything possible to contain infection and to realize safe
and secure games from scientific and objective perspectives.
We will do our utmost in our
preparation, freedom, democracy, human rights, rule of law. As we firmly defend
and uphold these universal values that Japan and the U.S. share. I look forward
to the actual implementation of the outcomes of today's significant meeting and
to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific by further collaboration and deeper
cooperation with Joe. I once again express my heartfelt gratitude for the kind
invitation. Thank you.
Q: At the summit, I believe that China
policy was one of the central agenda items. Both governments consider that
peace and stability of Taiwan is of great importance, and that had been the
agreement between the two countries. What kind of exchange of views were
conducted on this matter at today's meeting? In order to deter contingency in
the straits, what can Japan do and what can Japan do when actually contingency
occurs in the Taiwan straits? Did the prime minister explained to President
Biden what Japan can do under such circumstances?
And also, were there discussions on
Xinjiang human rights issue? Grave concern is shared by the two countries,
but Japan is the only G-7 country that has not imposed sanctions on China. Were
you able to gain President Biden's understanding towards such position?
SUGA: (Through interpreter) As we engaged in an exchange of views over the regional
situation, we also discuss the circumstances in Taiwan and Xinjiang Uyghur
Autonomous Region as well. I refrain from mentioning details, since it
pertains to diplomatic exchanges, but there is already an agreed recognition
over the importance of peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait between
Japan and the United States, which was reaffirmed on this occasion.
I also explained Japan's position and
initiatives regarding the situation in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to the
president, who I think understood my points.
Q: Prime Minister Suga, regarding the
Tokyo Olympics and the Paralympics planned for this summer, did President
Biden give you a concrete promise to send American athletes to
Japan? Also, on COVID-19 vaccines and climate change, did you discuss any
numerical targets such as a schedule for providing vaccines or reduction
targets of gases by 2030?
SUGA: As was mentioned at the beginning, I expressed my determination to realize
the Tokyo Olympics and the Paralympic Games as a symbol of global unity this
summer. And President Biden, once again, expressed his support.
Japan will continue careful and for the
preparation in order to realize the Tokyo games this summer in order to ensure
equitable access to vaccines for COVID-19. We also affirmed that Japan and the
U.S. will continue our cooperation.
Regarding climate change, this is a
matter that both President Biden and I emphasize. So during the talk today, we
have confirmed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and collaboration in the
area of climate change and have agreed to launch the Japan-U.S. Climate
Partnership, which is extremely meaningful and significant.
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