US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have discussed an expanded missile defence system today during high-level security talks.
The White House said the two leaders discussed efforts to boost Japan’s defences following a year of increasing tension on the Korean peninsula.
In a telephone call earlier today, Mr Trump and Mr Abe “agreed on the need to intensify the international maximum pressure campaign to denuclearise North Korea.”
The White House said: “President Donald J Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan.
“President Trump thanked Prime Minister Abe for Japan’s efforts to maintain international pressure on North Korea, including recent efforts to clamp down on North Korea’s attempts to circumvent sanctions in the waters surrounding the Korean Peninsula.
“Both leaders agreed on the need to intensify the international maximum pressure campaign to denuclearise North Korea.
“The two leaders discussed the pending relocation of a United States Marine base on Okinawa and discussed ways to strengthen Japan’s defence capabilities including an expanded missile defence system.”
Last year North Korea launched several missile tests directly over Japan in a major show of force – something experts warned could have gone catastrophically wrong.
In August and September two missiles were sent soaring over the Japanese archipelago without warning, sparking panic in towns and cities below.
Citizens were sent text alerts urging them to take immediate shelter. The text added: “This is not a drill.”
And last month Tokyo urged other Western powers to not to be tricked by North Korea’s recent conciliation talks with South Korea, claiming the change in tone was just a “charm offensive”.
Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono said the world should not be naive and must continue its harsh treatment of Pyongyang.
He said: “It is not the time to ease pressure, or to reward North Korea.
“The fact that North Korea is engaging in dialogue could be interpreted as proof that the sanctions are working.