Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a virtual meeting of the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee ("2+2") this evening with Japan Minister of Defense Nobuo Kishi and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi. Together with their Japanese counterparts, they reaffirmed the critical importance of the U.S.-Japan Alliance as the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
The leaders exchanged views on a wide range of regional security issues, and resolved to bolster deterrence by enhancing Alliance capabilities, evolving bilateral roles and missions, and optimizing Alliance force posture. They also highlighted the successful conclusion of a new Host Nation Support arrangement.
Secretary Austin and Secretary Blinken committed to continue close cooperation with their Japanese partners to modernize and strengthen the U.S.-Japan Alliance.
