The U.S.-Japan alliance is indispensable for the peace and prosperity of the entire Asia-Pacific region despite the row on Futenma military base, said a senior U.S. diplomat on Wednesday.
"We share Prime Minister Hatoyama's assessment that 'The U.S.-Japan security arrangements continue to be indispensable not only for the defense of Japan alone, but also for the peace and prosperity of the entire Asia-Pacific region,'" said the Assistant Secretary of State for Asia Kurt Campbell while testifying at the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
He insisted that the treaty alliance between Washington and Tokyo is a "cornerstone of our strategic engagement in Asia."
Since Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who leads the Democratic Party of Japan, claimed a landslide victory in last year's election, the two allies have been at spars over a number of sensitive issues, including the relocation of U.S. Marine's Futenma air base.
"Our vigorous engagement to address complex and sensitive issues is strengthening not weakening the relationship," said Campbell, denying that bilateral ties are in trouble.
In order to create a more durable and forward-looking vision for the alliance, the two countries are also working together in other areas, including climate change and humanitarian and development assistance programs, he added.
