By Tim Kelly
TOKYO (Reuters) – The United States called on Japan on Wednesday to name its representatives to a joint task force that will determine the location and resources of a humanitarian aid and disaster relief center they have agreed to establish in Japan.
In letters seen by Reuters on Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel asked Japanese Foreign and Defense Ministers Yoko Kamikawa and Minoru Kihara to submit the names of four Japanese officials “as soon as possible” and urged them to propose a date for the inaugural working group meeting.
“The impacts of climate change are bringing devastation and destruction to societies around the world with increasing frequency and severity,” Emmanuel told Reuters in a separate comment.
Emergency supplies at the center are also likely to be used to help civilians displaced by any conflict in Asia. The commitment by U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in April to establish the facility came amid growing concerns about Chinese military drills around Taiwan.
In his letter, Emanuel said he would represent Washington on the task force alongside Gen. Roger Turner, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Japan, Col. Patrick Biggs, chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the country, and USAID regional director Heath Cosgrove.
Japan’s foreign ministry and defense ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.