US-Japan Security Chiefs' First Phone Call... Reaffirm Security Treaty Applies to Senkaku Islands

US Sullivan - Japan Kitamura First Phone Call
"Senkaku, Subject to US-Japan Security Treaty Article 5"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Shortly after the inauguration of the Joe Biden administration, senior security officials from the United States and Japan held their first phone call, reaffirming that the Senkaku Islands fall under the scope of the US-Japan Security Treaty. The security officials from both countries reportedly discussed measures to check China and other major issues in Northeast Asia.

According to NHK on the 22nd, Shigeru Kitamura, Director of Japan's National Security Secretariat, spoke for about 30 minutes the previous night with Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor. This was the first phone call between the top security officials of the two countries since the Biden administration took office. NHK reported that both sides reaffirmed that the Senkaku Islands are subject to Article 5 of the US-Japan Security Treaty, which stipulates the US obligation to defend Japan. The Senkaku Islands are a representative territorial dispute area between Japan and China, currently under Japan's effective control, and administratively part of Okinawa Prefecture.

During the call, Director Kitamura congratulated Advisor Sullivan on his appointment and expressed intentions for strengthening the US-Japan alliance, realizing a "free and open Indo-Pacific," and close cooperation on global-scale challenges including measures against COVID-19. It is expected that cooperation between the two countries to check China will be further strengthened in the future.

Meanwhile, it is reported that Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has begun coordinating to have an early phone call with President Biden. According to Kyodo News, the Prime Minister's Office has instructed relevant departments to arrange a call between the leaders of the US and Japan as soon as possible.

President Biden is scheduled to have his first call on the 22nd with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau among foreign leaders, and the call with Prime Minister Suga is expected to take place afterward. Last November, while still President-elect, Biden stated in a call with Prime Minister Suga that the Senkaku Islands are covered by the US-Japan Security Treaty.