SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, let me say what a great privilege it is for me to welcome the foreign minister so soon after he has taken his new position – five days. And obviously, the alliance between the United States and Japan is a cornerstone of our foreign policy and indispensable to the security and prosperity of the Asia Pacific. We are both representing new governments, although the minister is much newer than I am now. And I look forward to working with him to develop and strengthen even stronger bonds of partnership, friendship, and alliance in pursuit of our common values, and a future that we hope will be even better for our people.
QUESTION: How much of a blow would it be, Secretary Clinton, if the Japanese ceased the Indian Ocean refueling mission for Afghanistan?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Arshad, we’re going to be discussing a wide range of issues. Our relationship between Japan and the United States is so broad and so deep that there isn’t any one issue that defines it. It is comprehensive and it has stood the test of time for many years. And I’m looking forward to working with the minister, and on behalf of the Obama Administration, really rolling up our sleeves and determining how best we can broaden and deepen this already very strong relationship.
QUESTION: Are you going to talk about the bases?
STAFF: Thank you, guys. Thank you, guys.
