Japan-US agree to elevate alliance

The top diplomats of Japan and the United States have agreed to work to elevate the alliance to new heights following the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi and new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Washington on Tuesday.

The diplomats agreed to advance cooperation so that their countries can reinforce the deterrence and response capabilities of the alliance to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

The officials shared the importance of bolstering collaboration between groups of like-minded countries. The diplomats confirmed the importance of Japanese business investment in the US and of economic ties in areas such as economic security.