US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell says his country wants to step up defense cooperation with Japan as part of the “bilateral engagement” with the Asian country.
Campbell spoke in an interview with NHK in Washington on Wednesday.
A NATO summit is underway there. Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand are set to join it as partner countries.
Campbell said his country hopes to work more closely with nations in the Indo-Pacific region on challenges such as cybersecurity and disinformation. He also referred to cooperation on the coproduction of equipment.
Campbell said the US wants to move forward cooperation not only with the four-country framework, but also in bilateral engagement with Japan.
He said the US and Japan can work more closely on “critical munitions” and other elements of joint production.
He said the US wants to deepen discussions on the issue at a so-called two-plus-two meeting with Japan expected to be held later this month, with participation of diplomatic and defense chiefs from both sides.
Regarding China, Russia and North Korea, Campbell said, “It’s clear they’re seeking to send a signal that they’re prepared to resist the efforts of NATO and allied nations.”