Foreign Minister Hayashi: Japan to play larger role in US alliance

Jul 31 (NHK) - Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa has stressed his country's intention to play a larger role in its alliance with the US amid an increasingly challenging security environment in the Indo-Pacific region.

Hayashi gave a speech on Friday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in the US capital of Washington.

Hayashi also talked about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He called it "an outrage that has shaken the very foundation of the free and open international order."

He added that Moscow's actions have "disrupted the peace and prosperity we have enjoyed since the end of the Cold War."

Hayashi went on to say that "what is happening in Ukraine must never be allowed anywhere in the world including, especially, in the Indo-Pacific."

Then, in an apparent reference to China, he said that "a logic of brute force is gaining more traction over the rule of law."

He added that the strategic balance in the region is a growing challenge for Japan and the US.

Hayashi said that "there is an urgent need to strengthen deterrence and response capability of the Japan-US alliance" and "Japan intends to play a larger role in maintaining the balance."

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