Japan, U.S. Agree to Strengthen Ties to Deal with N. Korea

Tokyo, May 16 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Adm. Harry Harris, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, agreed on Tuesday that the two countries will strengthen their ties and closely cooperate in dealing with North Korea. Their agreement is based on a shared view that the threat from the reclusive country's nuclear and missile programs has entered a new phase. At a meeting with Harris in Tokyo, Abe said Japan and the United States "must fully cooperate and put pressure on North Korea." The recent joint drill conducted by the Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson "has demonstrated the Japanese and U.S. determination to ensure peace and stability in the region," Abe also said. "The Japan-U.S. alliance is important not only for the region, but it has a global impact as well," Harris said. Abe and Harris also confirmed the two countries will work together to counter China's maritime expansion in the East and South China Seas. Ahead of his meeting with Abe, Harris held talks with Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. Any ballistic missile launch by North Korea "is utterly unacceptable," Kishida said at the meeting. Japan hopes to bolster the deterrent power and response capacity of the bilateral alliance through close cooperation with the United States, Kishida also said. Harris said the strong Japan-U.S. alliance is the cornerstone of regional peace and stability. Separately, Harris met with Defense Minister Tomomi Inada and Adm. Katsutoshi Kawano, chief of staff at the SDF Joint Staff. END