On Saturday, September 8, for approximately 55 minutes from 7:30 p.m. (local time), Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda received a courtesy call from The Honorable Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State of the United States of America, during his visit to Vladivostok to attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. The outline of the meeting is as follows. (Attending on the U.S. side were Under Secretary of State Hormats, Assistant Secretary of State Campbell, NSC Senior Director for Asian Affairs Russel, and Department of State Director of Policy Planning Sullivan, among others. Attending on the Japan side were Foreign Minister Gemba, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Saito, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Nagashima, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Bessho, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Nishimiya, among others.)

1. Asia-Pacific Regional Issues
   
   (1) General Remarks
   Drawing on discussion of Secretary Clinton's recent visit to China, Prime Minister Noda and Secretary Clinton engaged in a frank exchange of opinions on the state of affairs in the Asia-Pacific region.
   
   (2) Korean Peninsula
   Considering the present security situation in East Asia, including North Korean issues, both sides shared the view that cooperation between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) and among Japan, the U.S. and the ROK were continuously important. Moreover, Prime Minister Noda informed that, though difficult problem lay between Japan and the ROK, the Government of Japan (GOJ) was calling on the ROK side to take a calm attitude. Regarding the Takeshima dispute, Prime Minister Noda conveyed the GOJ's view that it was important to resolve the dispute in a calm, fair and peaceful manner based on international law.
   
   
2. Japan-U.S. Relations
   
   (1) Security
   Both Prime Minister Noda and Secretary Clinton shared the view that the Japan-U.S. Alliance is important to regional stability given the severe security environment in the region.
   In addition, along with further promoting security and defense cooperation in a wide range of field, both Prime Minister Noda and Secretary Clinton shared their view that they would accelerate cooperation on the realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan in order to achieve the planned outcomes by the end of the year in line with the "2+2" Joint Statement in April.
   Regarding the MV-22 Osprey, Prime Minister Noda pointed out that the level of domestic concern in Japan about the safety of the aircraft remained extremely high and it would be very important to respond to the concerns of Japanese people, particularly those in local communities. He asked for the continued understanding and cooperation of the United States.
   
   (2) Marine Debris Washed Out by the March 11 Earthquake (3.11 Tsunami Debris)
   Expressing concern that the debris from Japan is presently approaching and washing up on the western shores of North America, and that a large amount of the debris could arrive this fall, Prime Minister Noda informed Secretary Clinton that the Government of Japan, in a spirit of goodwill, would make a financial contribution of a total of 5 million U.S. dollars as a sign of sympathy. Secretary Clinton welcomed this step.
   Prime Minister Noda explained that, this was a natural disaster and that Japan does not have legal responsibility under international law, but since the debris originated in Japan, Japan would provide funding to both the United States and Canada in a spirit of goodwill.
   
   (3) Japan-U.S. Economic Relations
   
   (i) Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
   Both Prime Minister Noda and Secretary Clinton shared the view of further advancing bilateral consultations toward participation in TPP negotiations through both sides' efforts.
   (ii) U.S. Beef Imports
   Prime Minister Noda informed Secretary Clinton that in the deliberations by the Food Safety Commission of Japan on September 5, the draft report of risk assessment regarding a review of beef import measures including age restrictions had been approved.
   
   (4) Child Custody
   Secretary Clinton expressed an interest in the status of Diet deliberations of the Hague Convention.
   
   
3. Other Issues
   
   (1) Middle East
   Secretary Clinton said that the United States valued the close cooperation between Japan and the U.S. on the issues of Iran and Syria.
   
   (2) Energy Policy
   In response to Secretary Clinton's expression of interest in Japan's energy policy, Prime Minister Noda said that Japan was now coming up with a new energy strategy.