“The EDD provides an opportunity for the two governments to frankly exchange views on how to secure alliance deterrence as part of their security and defense cooperation,” the note stated. “The EDD has been held on a regular basis since 2010.”
On Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with US President Barack Obama at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Manila and stated his support for US Navy warships operating in the South China Sea.
According to reports, Obama assured Abe that the patrols near new artificial islands built by China would continue on a regular basis.
In April, the Japan-US Defense Cooperation Guidelines were expanded to permit for the first time forces from both nations participating in bilateral military exercises to carry out joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities.
