David R. Stilwell, Assistant SecretaryBureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
Tokyo, Japan
A/S STILWELL: Good afternoon everyone, and we’re very happy to have gotten into Narita. As you know, the weather was kind of rough coming in, but it’s great to be back in Japan.
We look forward to the events coming up tomorrow and Sunday. First off, on behalf of the American people, I would like to express our sincere condolences for the loss of life and property damage due to Typhoon Hagibis. It is good to be here again working with Japan.
Our security alliance is among the best and most consequential in the world and is the cornerstone of security here in the Asia-Pacific region. And the event tomorrow, for the most part, in general, the Fuji Dialogue – I’m really looking forward to it. It’s my first, and the lineup of both Japanese and American scholars and thought leaders is impressive, so I look forward to the opportunity. Finally, I would like to say when I was in Japan, I had the nickname “Ame Otoko,” and I’ve lived up to it yet again, so sorry about the rain. Thank you.