Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama received a courtesy call from Dr. Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense of the United States, at the Prime Minister's Office.

At the beginning, Prime Minister Hatoyama stated that he cordially welcomed Defense Secretary Gates' visit to Japan. The Prime Minister also extended his congratulations to President Obama for winning the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

Prime Minister Hatoyama said, "Needless to say, the new Japanese government will continue to place importance on the Japan-US alliance. It is extremely important that we firmly maintain and allow for the evolution of the Japan-US Security Arrangements at a time when instabilities remain in Northeast Asia and other regions. Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Japan-US Security Arrangements. I sincerely hope that we can take it as an opportunity to further develop Japan-US relations."

In response, Defense Secretary Gates stated that the importance of the Japan-US alliance was unchangeable and that President Obama also intended to continue working to develop the Japan-US alliance, a cornerstone of US security policy in Asia.