TOKYO: Senior security officials of Japan and the United States have agreed to further bolster the deterrence and response capabilities of the two countries’ alliance, noting that the situation in the Indo-Pacific region is increasingly severe.

At a meeting in the United States Monday, Takeo Akiba, secretary-general of Japan’s National Security Secretariat, and Jake Sullivan, national security adviser to US President Joe Biden, also reaffirmed Japan-US cooperation to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific region, apparently keeping in mind China, which is increasing military pressure.

In addition, Akiba and Sullivan exchanged opinions on cyber issues, as well as economic security issues such as supply chains.

They agreed that Japan and the United States will promote cooperation with countries having close relationships with them, including Australia and India, which form the Quad framework with Tokyo and Washington.

Earlier Monday, Akiba paid a courtesy call on US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and met with Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.

JIJI Press