Statement by Yasuchika Hasegawa, Chairman of Keizai Doyukai
On the Outcome of the U.S.-Japan Summit Meeting

April 24, 2014

Yasuchika Hasegawa
Chairman, Keizai Doyukai

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1. I would like to sincerely welcome U.S. President Barack Obama on this occasion of visiting Japan as a state guest. I am pleased indeed that leaders of both countries have exchanged views heart-to-heart and confirmed once again the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance as a basis of the peace and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region.
2. It is important in the unstable international conditions that both leaders clearly expressed the importance of maintaining the regional order on the basis of international law and their stance to face challenges for security in Japan and the region with confidence and common understanding. The summit meeting also covered discussions on mutual cooperation and collaboration in various fields including economy, energy, science and technology, and exchanges of next generation. I appreciate the progress of the bilateral relations is clearly presented at the joint press conference on the basis of the discussions; now, the relations of the real and comprehensive “alliance” beyond the scope of just security.
3. I know two leaders have made their utmost efforts in promoting the trade talks of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) that is one of the key pillars to ensure the peace and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region. The U.S. and Japan, that have basic shared values such as democracy, market economy, fundamental human rights, and the rule of law, are expected to show their leadership jointly in pursuing the early settlement on the basis of the result until now. I hope ministerial talks will continue to pave the way toward a broad agreement by reflecting two leaders’ agreement and solving issues residual to two countries.

Japanese version