The United States and Japan said on Thursday that it is necessary to "continue strengthening deterrence and response capabilities" of their alliance in the face of an "increasingly challenging regional security environment," including North Korea's recent missile launches and the close cooperation between Russia and China.
"The two sides discussed strategic arms control and risk reduction approaches in response to nuclear risks that are becoming increasingly challenging and complex as diversification and expansion of regional actors’ nuclear arsenals are advancing," the US State Department said. The US and Japan also conducted a tabletop exercise as a means to coordinate deterrence efforts and crisis management.
