Japan, U.S. to cooperate for denuclearization of N. Korea

Japan and the United States agreed to work together to achieve the complete denuclearization of North Korea during talks between Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in London on Monday.

Blinken shared details of Washington’s North Korea policy review, which was completed last month, and the two confirmed the importance of trilateral cooperation among Japan, the United States and South Korea.

Motegi obtained a commitment from Blinken to cooperate for the immediate resolution of the issue of abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea.

They also agreed to oppose any attempt by China to change the status quo in the East and South China seas, reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and expressed serious concern over the human rights situation in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Blinken welcomed

Japan’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by fiscal 2030 compared to fiscal 2013, which was announced by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga last month.

They confirmed that they would call for a halt to the violence in Myanmar since a military junta seized power in a coup, and agreed to explore a visit by Motegi to the United States soon while assessing the status of the novel coronavirus pandemic. (May 5)