Japan, U.S. Agree to Hold 2-Plus-2 Talks on Aug. 17

Manila, Aug. 7 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson agreed on Monday that their countries will hold a so-called two-plus-two meeting of the foreign and defense ministers in Washington on Aug. 17. The two sides will mainly discuss how to strengthen their missile defense capabilities following North Korea's firing of two intercontinental ballistic missiles last month. The security meeting was initially slated to take place in mid-July. But it was put off because of reasons on the U.S. side. Kono and Tillerson also agreed that their countries will work closely to ensure the full implementation of the U.N. Security Council resolution to toughen sanctions on North Korea adopted on Saturday. The meeting was conducted entirely in English, according to Japanese Foreign Ministry officials. END