US-Japan alliance
Takagi Masaru: To date, the Biden administration has consistently strengthened relations with Japan as an ally. How will this upcoming summit be distinguished from previous developments of the US-Japan alliance?
Jake Sullivan: Well, you're absolutely right that from day one of the Biden administration, the President has invested enormously — personally and using the tools of the whole government to build a stronger US-Japan alliance. And what I think we have done over the last three years is taken this alliance and not only embedded it as the cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific, but turned it into a genuinely global partnership. And this summit, this state visit that we will have with Prime Minister Kishida and his team coming will put that global partnership on full display across every range of the relationship.
Yes, we will have new announcements in the security realm, but also the partnership between the US and Japan on critical and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, on space and our shared desire to return to the moon, on economics and investment, on the way we can work together in third countries to help build out their infrastructure and development.
So I think this summit this week, this opportunity for us to welcome the Prime Minister for his historic state visit will show that the US-Japan alliance has reached a new height that has never before been achieved, and one that we believe that we can sustain through thick and thin in the years ahead.
Takagi: So what role does the US expect Japan to play globally in the world of growing Chinese influence and two major military conflicts?
Sullivan: Well, if you sit back and think about it, we're at a critical point in world history, where the question has been called, can democracy really deliver? Can it deliver progress for its own citizens and progress and development, peace and prosperity for people around the world? And we believe with conviction, the answer to that question is yes. And we believe that the United States and Japan, as two of the world's leading democracies, as two of the world's largest economies, as two of the world's most powerful techno — technological engines should come together to show, that in fact, democracies can deliver, can make technology work for us, rather than against us, can work together on security to ensure that the Indo-Pacific is free and open, secure, and prosperous, to work together on economic strategies so that we can deliver to the global South, the countries in the developing world, a better value proposition than what they get from autocratic countries like China. We can do all of these things and more and show that the values that we hold dear, the system of government that is deeply rooted in both of our countries, this is the best way to deliver for our own people and for people everywhere.
US to upgrade operational command in Japan
Takagi: Considering command and control, Japan's integration of its command post planned for next year, what is the US' stance towards strengthening its command parallel to Japan?
Sullivan: Well, one of the things that you will hear from President Biden, when Prime Minister Kishida is here this week and in the joint statement that comes out of the visit, is a complete commitment by the United States to match Japan's upgrade of its own operational command, with an upgrade of our operational command so that we can work together more effectively, jointly against all of the common challenges that we face in the security realm in the Indo-Pacific. Now, the specifics of that have to get worked out between our defense ministries and between our leaders but the overall strategic direction is clear. We are prepared as Japan is to take a step forward in enhancing our operational command in Japan and in making sure that we're integrating our operational command with Japan's because we have to be able to work jointly in a world of dynamic threats and challenges in a region of dynamic threats and challenges and we're prepared to do that.
Indo-Pacific issues
Takagi: Regarding the South China Sea, how concerned is the White House about a potential escalation around the Second Thomas Shoal?
Sullivan: Well, we're quite concerned. We believe that the actions of the PRC in recent weeks, even recent days, have run against the basic propositions of international law, have been destabilizing and have been out of balance and we have stood up for freedom of navigation, unimpeded lawful commerce, and the basic rules of the road of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. We've also made clear that article four of the 1951 mutual defense treaty that the United States has with the Philippines applies to public vessel and aircraft and armed forces operating in the South China Sea. So we have made our position firm and clear in principle and in what we are prepared to do under our treaty obligations. And what we would like to see is peace and stability, security and international law respected in the South China Sea, and the PRC should be taking steps to show that it respects those things and will not flout them.
Takagi: Does the Biden administration see a link between the Second Thomas Shoal and stability in the Taiwan Strait?
Sullivan: Well look, what we're looking for across the entire Indo-Pacific is the same thing that Japan is looking for. A free and open Indo-Pacific rooted in international law, built on the principle of peace and stability and when it comes to the Taiwan Strait, we will take every step we can to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We continue to adhere to the One China policy and we continue to state firmly that there should be no unilateral changes to the status quo. That is the best way forward. That is what we are going to continue to work on and under the Taiwan Relations Act, we are going to continue to provide means to Taiwan for its own self-defense. The US position on this has been clear and consistent. It has not changed. We've remained steadfast and resolute in adhering to our position. And we believe that every party involved should take steps to avoid destabilizing activities and to ensure that there's the maintenance of peace and stability across the strait.
Trilateral summit between US, Japan, and the Philippines
Takagi: What efforts could the US make with Japan and Philippines in order to limit China's grey zone tactics?
Sullivan: Well, you know, last summer I actually joined with my national security adviser colleagues from both Japan and the Philippines in Tokyo. We met together. It's the first time that we had met in trilateral format. And one of the things we talked about was that we all needed to work together to safeguard the basic principles of freedom of navigation, of peace and stability in the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, elsewhere. And we also talked about how at some point our leaders should get together in a historic trilateral summit to reaffirm our basic vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Well, that's happening this week after the state visit by Prime Minister Kishida. Prime — the Prime Minister, President Biden and President Marcos will meet in trilateral format, and they will talk about how to deal with the threats to peace and stability in the South China Sea and elsewhere. They will also talk about affirmative opportunities we have on economics on technology on maritime cooperation and in many other areas as well and it's going to be a big deal.
Takagi: But why do you believe it is important to upgrade the trilateral framework between the US, Japan and the Philippines at this time and then why do you expect Japan to become more involved?
Sullivan: Well, first of all, as I was saying before, we're at a moment where the democracies need to pull together to help show that we can be problem solvers that we can be net contributors to global security and to regional security. The United States, Japan, and the Philippines, we are three vibrant democracies. We are three good friends and we have overlapping and complementary capabilities. We each have something to bring to the table. So now is a moment, when you think about making sure that we are sending a clear message about peace and security in the region, sending a message about our common contribution to that peace and security and to, to development in the region and globally. I don't — I can't think of a more right time for three leaders to come together to stand firm shoulder to shoulder on behalf of the vision for the region and the world that we want to put forward in the face of those who are pushing in a different direction.
Taiwan situation
Takagi: In Taiwan, President Lai was elected and will be inaugurated next month, while China continues to exert military pressure on Taiwan. What are the key elements necessary to ease tensions in the Taiwan Strait?
Sullivan: Look for us when we look at the Taiwan issue. We believe that over the course of the last 40 years through ups and downs in the relationship between the US and the PRC, we have been able to manage the issue of cross-strait relations effectively, because we have stood by a set of very simple principles, the One China policy, the three joint communiques, the Taiwan Relations Act, the six assurances and we continue to stand by those. And as I said before, at the root of this is the proposition that there should be no unilateral changes to the status quo by either side. We've seen concerning actions and pressures as your questions stated by the PRC. We think those should abate. We also believe that everyone has a responsibility to do their part to contribute to peace and stability. We are certainly prepared to do ours. And if we can get onto a track where we are standing for the same things we've stood for over the past many years, all of the parties Washington, Taipei, Beijing, we can sustain peace and stability across the strait.
Takagi: How imminent is the possibility of a Taiwan contingency, under today's situation between the two superpowers, the US and China?
Sullivan: The entire thrust of our approach, which is consistent with the bipartisan approach president's past is to ensure that such a contingency never comes to pass.
US and China
Takagi: The leaders of the US and China just had talks on April 2nd. What is the possibility that US and Chinese leaders will visit counterpart countries in the near future?
Sullivan: There's no plan for that. The two leaders did talk about making sure that they stay in touch by telephone over the course of the coming months, because there really is no substitute for leader to leader discussion in a relationship as complex and consequential with that between the US and the PRC. President Biden has been very straightforward. The United States is competing vigorously with the PRC. We are pushing back against practices by the PRC that we find objectionable or contrary to our interests and the interest of our allies. We're also prepared to work where our interests align on issues that can help contribute to peace and stability or progress in the world. So it is a challenging and complex relationship, but it is one that we are determined to manage carefully and effectively for the good of everyone.
US Steel
Takagi: Regarding the planned US Steel and Nippon Steel acquisition, President Biden issued a statement against the plan. In Japan, this is perceived as an action that may damage the relationship between the US and Japan. What are the reasons that President Biden publicly opposed to the deal before security reviews were complete?
Sullivan: Well, you all know President Biden, well, you've seen him in action, not just as president but as vice president as senator. He has always been a very straightforward person and he has always made clear that he's going to stand up for and defend the rights and interests of American workers period. He also at the same time, has been clear for decades that he is going to stand up for and fight for and work for a very strong and vibrant US Japan alliance. He believes he can do both of those things. That will be on display when the state visit unfolds over the course of the coming days. He's going to stand up for American workers. He's going to work for a strong US-Japan alliance. And we believe that we can achieve both results.
Maintaining alliances after elections
Takagi: Both the US and Japan being democracies are subject to change governments through elections. How do you believe the framework of AUKUS, the US-Japan-ROK and the Quad, the network of alliances, can be maintained?
Sullivan: The United States has a long tradition, bipartisan tradition. Of a strong US-Japan alliance and a strong engagement by the United States in the Indo-Pacific. And I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that continues indefinitely out into the future. But part of the reason why I'm confident that these will sustain year after year, presidential term after presidential term, is they are fundamentally in the national security interests of the United States of America. That's true of AUKUS. It's true of the Camp David trilat. And it's true on a paramount basis of the US-Japan alliance, which as I said, is not just the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo Pacific, it is now a global partnership that is central to the United States being able to achieve our objectives and defend our interests globally. And I believe the same is true for Japan and it's because of that, because it matters to the American people, average American people from my hometown. They know these alliances matter and I believe that will shine through in the end.
Economic security policy toward China
Takagi: You have advocated for the concept of the "small yard high fence," which Japan and other alliances have followed. Meanwhile, China is rapidly increasing its technological capabilities and they already have hypersonic missiles. What is the ultimate goal of the Biden administration's economic security policy towards China?
Sullivan: Look, it's simple. We don't believe that American or allied technologies should be used against America or its allies. Simple as that. So if we see a particular advanced technology, with a national security or military application that can harm the security of the US or Japan or other allies, we will take steps to restrict it. Now, we believe that it's a — a relatively small number of technologies at the very leading edge of technological development, but we're not going to make any bones that in those cases, we will take steps and we have done so and we've done so as you said, in coordination with our allies, including Japan. We'll continue to do that as we go forward.
Note: "Small yard, High fence" is the term Sullivan uses to describe the Biden administration's aim to allow most trade and economic relations with China to continue, outside a core area of heavily restricted products, technologies and business.
North Korea threat
Takagi: Looking at the situation in North Korea, neither the US nor Japan has been able to halt the progress of its nuclear development over the past few years. What do you think is needed now to break the deadlock? Does the administration support Japan if Japan will hold a summit with Kim Jong Un?
Sullivan: Well, first, it's true that over the course of many years, many presidents many prime ministers North Korea has continued to make progress on its nuclear missile program. It's also true that the US and Japan and the ROK, bilaterally and trilaterally have moved closer and closer together in terms of coordinating our response to that. And that is the single most important ingredient that we have impeccable, bilateral coordination, cooperation and impeccable trilateral coordination and cooperation in the face of the evolving North Korean threat and that threat is very real. It's something that we have seen advance and is a matter of great concern to the United States, to Japan, to South Korea. If we stand together, we can ensure the security of our countries in the face of that threat I believe that deeply. The United States has also been open to diplomacy with North Korea, we have indicated we're prepared to talk without preconditions. North Korea has shown no interest in that.
As for the diplomacy between Japan and North Korea, I'm going to leave the opportunity for the Prime Minister and the President to discuss that. But at a broad level, just as we're open to diplomacy, principled diplomacy, we support principled diplomacy by other countries. As for any particular meeting at any particular time, that's something that should be a matter of coordination and discussion among the leaders.
