Japan, U.S. foreign ministers affirm importance of Taiwan Strait

WASHINGTON — Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Friday and confirmed that Tokyo and Washington had not changed basic position on Taiwan, where China is increasing military pressure.

The two men reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and agreed to encourage a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, while reaffirming the importance of frank dialogue with China.

Including phone calls, this was the 11th time for Hayashi and Blinken to talk. With China and North Korea in mind, they also agreed to expand defense cooperation and strengthen the deterrent power and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance.

They also agreed to continue communicating closely to ensure the credibility of extended deterrence, in which U.S. military forces, including its nuclear ordnance, would protect Japan.

After the meeting, Hayashi spoke at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and urged China, which is rapidly

expanding its nuclear potential, to promote transparency in its nuclear capability and nuclear disarmament.