TOKYO: Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono and US Defense Secretary Mark Esper agreed on Friday to strengthen the two countries' cooperation for the stability of the Indo-Pacific region at a time when the novel coronavirus is spreading across the globe.

Exchanging views on China, which is enhancing its effective control of the South China Sea by declaring new administrative districts and conducting aircraft carrier fleet drills, Kono and Esper confirmed in phone talks that their countries will try to maintain their coping abilities through joint training and other measures.

They also discussed the situation in North Korea, following a recent media report that its leader, Kim Jong Un, is in grave danger after undergoing a surgery.

The Japanese and US defense chiefs shared the view that North Korea's repeated missile launches this year are a serious challenge to Japan and the international community.

JIJI Press