Mattis reassures uneasy Japan over DPRK talks

TOKYO — US Defense Secretary James Mattis pledged on Friday to maintain and strengthen the US security alliance with Japan amid concerns that talks with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea could water down Washington’s security commitments to the Asian ally.

Mattis met with his Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera, who said they agreed to continue joint military drills and reinforce the response capability of their alliance.

In meetings with Japanese officials, Mattis sought to address Tokyo’s concerns that its security interests could be left behind in US President Donald Trump’s push to reach a denuclearization deal with DPRK top leader Kim Jong-un.

Mattis told Onodera that the longstanding alliance between Japan and the US stands firm.

Japan was caught wrongfooted by Trump’s unexpected announcement on June 12 to suspend joint military exercises between the US and the Republic of Korea.

Following the historic summit in Singapore between Trump and Kim, the US president said he wanted a halt to the drills, describing them as “expensive” and “provocative”. However, US allies did not appear to be forewarned.

Mattis said the decision was taken “to create space for our diplomats to negotiate strongly and increase the prospect for a peaceful solution on the (Korean) peninsula.

“At the same time, we maintain a strong collaborative defensive stance, to ensure our diplomats continue to negotiate from a position of unquestioned strength,” he said.

Onodera said the drills were “important for the stability of the region,” but acknowledged that the decision to suspend them was valuable for diplomatic efforts to get the DPRK to give up his nuclear program.