U.S. President, Japan Premier Agree To Beef Up Defence Ties

U.S. President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed at a summit on Thursday to strengthen defence cooperation amid concerns about China’s military build up and North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes. Obama noted that “The US-Japan alliance is the foundation not only for our security in the Asia-Pacific region but also for the region as a whole,” . He reaffirmed that the Japan administered but regionally disputed Senkaku Islands are covered by the alliance with Japan. Obama said the U.S. treaty commitment to Japan’s security was absolute. He said Article 5 of the US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security covers all territories under Japan’s administration, including the Senkaku Islands. Article 5 states that the US “would act to meet the common danger” should Japan face an armed attack. Obama said both countries have the opportunity by working together to help shape an open, innovative, dynamic economy throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Obama’s assurance was coming against the background of China’s growing assertiveness in the East China Sea, and concerns that Russia’s move to annex Crimea may embolden Chinese leaders. The two leaders said they would try to seek an early conclusion to a Pacific trade deal, which has been stalled over agricultural and automobile tariffs. The U.S.backed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement was still under negotiation among 12 countries.(Xinhua/NAN)