The foreign and defense ministers of Japan and the United States on Friday pledged an "unshakeable commitment" to strengthening their alliance ahead of the 60th anniversary of the signing of a security treaty.

"Our alliance has played and will continue to play an integral role in ensuring the peace and security of our two countries, while realizing our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific," they said in a joint statement.

Around 54,000 American troops are stationed in Japan under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, signed on Jan. 19, 1960. It allows them to respond quickly to contingencies in and around Asia while protecting the country from threats in tandem with its Self-Defense Forces.

The treaty replaced a 1951 agreement establishing the alliance between the former World War II enemies.

In the joint statement, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Taro Kono and their U.S. counterparts -- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper -- called the alliance "stronger, broader, and more essential today than ever."

"While honoring the achievements of the past 60 years, we reiterate our unshakeable commitment to strengthen the alliance and to uphold our common values and principles towards the future."

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