(HL-정치/사회) Japanese Prime Minister Begins US Visit

[Write 2 Speak]

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is in the United States. He plans to visit four U.S. cities and meet with President Barack Obama at the White House. On Wednesday, he will speak to a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives. Mr. Abe’s visit comes as the security and economic relationship between the two countries is changing. U.S. and Japanese officials recently amended defense guidelines to give Japan more responsibility for its own defense. This is the first time those rules have been changed since 1997.
* Prime Minister = 수상/ joint meeting = 양원 합동 회의/ amend = (법 등을) 개정(수정)하다/ defense guidelines = 국방 지침 

Evan Madeiros is Senior Director for Asian Affairs at the U.S. National Security Council. He says the new defense guidelines will expand Japan’s position in the alliance. He says they also will create a way for Japan to provide additional support to the U.S. armed forces. Kenichiro Sasae is the Japanese ambassador to the United States. He spoke recently at the Centers for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. He said the new guidelines will be followed by security legislation. Last year, Mr. Abe and his cabinet changed the official interpretation, or understanding, of Japan’s constitution. The Cabinet agreed that Japan can defend itself militarily.
* National Security Council = 국가 안보(안전 보장) 회의/ alliance = 동맹, 연합/ armed forces = 군대/ ambassador = 대사/ constitution = 헌법

Japanese Prime Minister Begins US Visit - WTS.mp3