Japan and the United States have confirmed that they will continue to closely cooperate over Japan's defense issues, especially its missile defense.
Visiting U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun, the top U.S. envoy on North Korea, met Defense Minister Taro Kono and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi separately on Friday in Tokyo to discuss recent moves by North Korea and China.
During a meeting lasting about 30 minutes, Kono said: "The launch of North Korea's ballistic missiles, even if they are short-range missiles, clearly violates the resolutions of the U.N. Security Council. The international community must send a firm message."
Kono did not directly mention that Japan has virtually abandoned the deployment of the Aegis Ashore ground-based missile interceptor system, according to sources.
Kono and Biegun also exchanged opinions on China, which has intensified its activities in the East China Sea and South China Sea.
Motegi met the U.S. envoy for about one hour, agreeing that the two countries will work together on their common issues, including the North Korean situation.
As to the Group of Seven summit that the United States aims to hold, Biegun said that U.S. President Donald Trump looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Biegun also met Shigeru Kitamura, secretary general of the National Security Secretariat, and other senior Japanese officials.
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