The Japanese and US foreign ministers agreed on Wednesday to work closely together to completely eliminate nuclear weapons off the Korean Peninsula, during the launch of North Korean missiles since the beginning of this year, the Japanese government said.
In their telephone interviews, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also shared their “grave concerns” about the deployment of Russian troops on its border with Ukraine which has raised concerns about possible attacks, according to the Foreign Ministry.
The talks come after North Korea on Sunday fired what its state media identified as the Hwasong-12 arrow, apparently the first launch of a mid-range and long-range missile since November 2017 which was the seventh round of inspection by directors. country since the beginning of the year.
In mid-January, Pyongyang announced the launch of a nuclear missile and intercontinental ballistic missile test.
The North Korean arrow launches “threatens the peace and stability of Japan and the international community,” Hayashi told reporters after a telephone interview.
A few hours before speaking to Hayashi, Blinken held telephone talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in which Blinken called for “immediate” withdrawal and withdrawal of Russian troops from the border with Ukraine, according to the US government.
On Tuesday, Hayashi and the new US ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel reaffirmed the unity of the two countries in tackling the challenges posed by China’s growth and strengthening in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The United States is fully committed to working with Japan as a full-fledged coalition to fight the challenges and achieve our shared vision of a truly free and open Indo-Pacific,” Emanuel told Hayashi in his first official face-to-face meeting. Prime Minister Cabinet Minister Fumio Kishida.
“In order to continue to strengthen the alliance, let us strengthen our relationship when we can have open dialogue,” Hayashi said.
Emanuel, who arrived in Japan late last month, said the Washington and Tokyo program “based on principles and principles” was “under unprecedented pressure, citing China’s” coercion, intimidation and discrimination “, as well as Russia’s recent. massive military construction along the Ukrainian border and repeated North Korean missiles.
“Together the US and Japan will aspire, take action, and we will achieve many things as partners,” said the 62-year-old envoy, who is known for his close relationship with President Joe Biden.
Earlier in the day, Emanuel met again with Japan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Takeo Mori and presented him with a copy of his personal details.
Also known as the former aide to former President Barack Obama, Emanuel has filled a vacant position for more than two years since William Hagerty stepped down in July 2019 to run for Senate.
Emanuel served as mayor of Chicago twice from 2011 to 2019 and was a member of the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2009.