Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work held a bilateral meeting today with the Japanese Administrative Vice Minister of Defense Tetsuro Kuroe at the Pentagon. 

During their meeting, the two leaders discussed the rapidly evolving security environment, including the persistent North Korean threat and maritime issues in the East and South China Seas.  Deputy Secretary Work affirmed that the Senkaku Islands are administered by Japan and fall under Article 5 of the U.S.-Japan Mutual Security Treaty.  

Deputy Secretary Work and Vice Minister Kuroe exchanged views on defense equipment and technology cooperation, and discussed enhancing trilateral cooperation with the Republic of Korea and Australia.  They also discussed the expanding roles of the Japan Self-Defense Force as well as bilateral initiatives to include building partner capacity in Southeast Asia, enhancing ballistic missile defense cooperation, and advancing space cooperation. 

The two leaders committed to further efforts to transform the alliance by implementing the guidelines for U.S.-Japan defense cooperation, and reaffirmed that the U.S.-Japan alliance remains unwavering and continues to serve as the cornerstone of peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.