Tokyo: The United States and Japan agreed
on Saturday to strengthen the US defense of its close ally against
any nuclear attack by North Korea Japan`s top security
concern.
The US has established a "nuclear umbrella" to protect
Japan and other non-nuclear allies from possible attack. The
umbrella comprises US-based nuclear weapons, including
ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads, and nuclear
submarines, in a system that has been in place since the Cold
War. Japan does not allow nuclear weapons on its territory.
US and Japanese officials in charge of defense and
foreign affairs decided today to hold regular talks on how to
boost the effectiveness of the defense system, a Japanese
Foreign Ministry official said on condition of anonymity,
citing protocol.
They also agreed to increase efforts to encourage North
Korea to return to international disarmament talks.
Kurt Campbell, US assistant secretary of state for East
Asian and Pacific affairs who attended the meeting, told
Japanese public broadcaster NHK that a first meeting is
expected in Washington in several weeks for "a deep discussion
about the elements of nuclear deterrence."
He added that the US is committed to providing the
deterrence for Japan and that "our extended nuclear umbrella
remains strong and stable."
Bureau Report
