[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 26 (Monday, July 3, 2006)]
[Pages 1247-1249]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Junichiro 
Koizumi of Japan: The Japan-U.S. Alliance of the New Century

June 29, 2006

    President George W. Bush of the United States of America hosted 
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan for an Official Visit to the 
White House on June 29, 2006, that celebrated their close personal 
friendship and the deep and increasing ties between the American and 
Japanese people.
    The two leaders agreed that the U.S.-Japan partnership stands as one 
of the most accomplished bilateral relationships in history. They 
reviewed with great satisfaction the broadened and enhanced cooperation 
achieved in the alliance under their joint stewardship, and together 
heralded a new U.S.-Japan Alliance of Global Cooperation for the 21st 
Century.

The U.S.-Japan Alliance Based on Universal Values and Common Interests

    The United States and Japan stand together not only against mutual 
threats but also for the advancement of core universal values such as 
freedom, human dignity and human rights, democracy, market economy, and 
rule of law. These values are deeply rooted in the long historic 
traditions of both countries.
    The United States and Japan share interests in: winning the war on 
terrorism; maintaining regional stability and prosperity; promoting free 
market ideals and institutions; upholding human rights; securing freedom 
of navigation and commerce, including sea lanes; and enhancing global 
energy security. It is these common values and common interests that 
form the basis for U.S.-Japan regional and global cooperation.

Bilateral Political, Security and Economic Cooperation

    The President and Prime Minister welcomed the tremendous progress in 
the U.S.-Japan security relationship achieved during their tenures. 
Bilateral security cooperation has deepened as a result of ballistic 
missile

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defense cooperation and legislation in Japan to deal with contingencies.
    The two leaders welcomed the establishment of common strategic 
objectives of February 2005 as well as the conclusion of watershed 
agreements to transform the alliance for the future. These agreements, 
including the most significant realignment of U.S. and Japanese forces 
in decades, constitute historic steps forward that make the U.S. 
military presence more enduring and effective, and ensure the 
capabilities necessary for the alliance to cope with diverse challenges 
in the evolving security environments. The two leaders agreed that full 
and prompt implementation of these agreements is necessary, not only for 
Japan and the United States, but also for peace and stability of the 
Asia-Pacific region.
    Asia's historic transformation is underway, creating a region that 
increasingly embraces the universal values of democracy, freedom, human 
rights, market economy, and rule of law. The two leaders pledged to work 
together to shape and support this transformation. In this regard, the 
two nations will continue to work on common challenges in the region 
such as (a) promoting individual freedoms; (b) increasing transparency 
and confidence in the political, economic, and military fields; and (c) 
protecting human dignity, and resolving humanitarian and human rights 
problems including the abduction issue.
    The two leaders affirmed that robust U.S.-Japan cooperation embraces 
the dynamism of China, and helps to maintain peace and tranquility in 
Northeast Asia. They reaffirmed the importance of advancing strategic 
dialogues with friends and allies in the region such as Australia. They 
called on North Korea to fulfill denuclearization pledges made in the 
September 2005 Joint Statement of the Six Party Talks and to continue to 
adhere to its missile test moratorium. They discussed the need for the 
few isolated regimes in the region to respect human rights and 
democratic principles including an inclusive political dialogue.
    The two leaders reaffirmed their common efforts on a wide range of 
global activities including recent successes in the war on terrorism, 
support for the new government in Iraq, and cooperation on counter-
proliferation activities, including on Iran. The President praised 
Japan's humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in Afghanistan and 
Iraq as well as Japan's support provided to coalition forces operating 
in the Indian Ocean.
    Mindful of Japan's significant role and contributions at the U.N., 
Japan and the United States will intensify their cooperation, and work 
together in realizing Japan's permanent membership at the Security 
Council.
    They pledged to continue close cooperation under the Strategic 
Development Alliance and to work together on other global challenges 
such as capacity-building for natural disaster response and prevention 
and response to avian/pandemic influenza. They also agreed to work on 
the interrelated challenges of energy security, clean development, 
reducing pollution, and climate change.
    Building upon the progress achieved over the last five years under 
the U.S.-Japan Economic Partnership for Growth, the two leaders agreed 
to explore ways to further deepen the mutually-beneficial bilateral 
economic relationship as well as to enhance cooperation on regional and 
global economic issues.
    Such an expanded partnership would include: promoting growth and 
economic reform; promoting and maintaining open markets; ensuring 
efficient movement of legitimate goods, services, people, and 
investments, while tackling threats from terrorism; strengthening 
intellectual property rights protection and enforcement; enhancing 
global energy security; and fostering transparent and favorable business 
climates in both countries.
    The two leaders also affirmed their commitment to make a strong 
contribution to ensure a successful and ambitious outcome for the WTO 
Doha Development Agenda negotiations by the end of 2006 that opens 
markets and achieves a balanced outcome across the board. They expressed 
their determination to work together to strengthen the Asia-Pacific 
Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, recognizing its crucial role in 
promoting stability, security, and prosperity in the region.
    The two leaders shared the view that the U.S.-Japan global alliance 
remains a constant

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and positive force. They shared the expectation that the U.S.-Japan 
friendship and global cooperation shall continue to grow stronger.

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this joint statement.