President talks up Japan as North tops trip agenda

DONALD Trump praised Japan as a “crucial ally” and warned adversaries not to test America’s resolve yesterday as he began his first trip to Asia as US President.

Mr Trump landed at Yokota Air Base on the outskirts of Tokyo and was greeted by cheering service members.

He then donned a bomber jacket for a speech in which he touted American firepower and the US alliance with Japan.

“Japan is a treasured partner and crucial ally of the United States,” he said.

Mr Trump (pictured) is expected to spend much of his 12day, five-country Asian tour exhorting allies and rivals to step up efforts to counter the dangers posed by North Korea, which continues to move forward with its nuclear weapons program.

The gravity of the challenge facing the leaders was spelt out by a Pentagon report that concluded the only way to locate and destroy all components of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program is through a ground invasion.

That blunt assessment came in response to a letter from two Democratic congressmen asking about casualty assessments in a conflict with North Korea.