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U.S. and Japan to work together on increased security role for Tokyo

By Elizabeth Shim
U.S. President Barack Obama (R) listens to remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a joint news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House, April 28, 2015, in Washington, DC. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI
1 of 5 | U.S. President Barack Obama (R) listens to remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a joint news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House, April 28, 2015, in Washington, DC. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

WASHINGTON, April 28 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reaffirmed their commitment to a strong U.S.-Japan alliance and said Japan will take a larger security role in the Asia-Pacific as U.S. plans are underway to relocate its military base in Okinawa.

Speaking from the South Lawn of the White House on Tuesday, Prime Minister Abe said Washington and Tokyo are "united in our resoluteness in opposing unilateral attempts in changing the status quo," an indirect reference to China's latest acts of land reclamation in the South China Sea.

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Obama said in agreement, "[The U.S. and Japan] have to remain nimble and responsive to potential conflicts that may arise due to maritime disputes." He also said there are real tensions with China in its approach to maritime issues and claims to the Senkaku Islands.

"But that's not an issue arising from the U.S.-Japan alliance," he said, as he credited the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty for providing the basic foundation for peace and stability that also has benefited China and other high-growth economies in the region.

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Simmering tensions, however, will not stand in the way of a realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. Abe said the two countries plan to relocate the Futenma Air Station "as soon as possible," as local Okinawa communities oppose the presence of the base on their land.

The two leaders also raised concerns over the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, or AIIB, a China-led bank that will take a multilateral approach to lending ventures in Asia.

Abe said there is demand for infrastructure development but voiced concerns over potential projects launched under the AIIB.

"It's not only about the lenders but the borrowing nations," said Abe through a translator.

"Various [AIIB] infrastructure projects may not be sustainable. If this is the case it will bring negative results."

By contrast, both leaders said the Trans-Pacific Partnership that is under negotiations will set high standards in trade and lead to more jobs in the United States in lagging industries.

"There are many Japanese cars in America," said Obama as he tackled the topic of bilateral trade.

"I want to see American cars in Japan as well."

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