February 4, 2017

"US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis wrapped up a visit to Japan on Saturday reaffirming Washington’s commitment to its defence treaty with Tokyo amid concerns about President Donald Trump’s approach to the region and the alliance.

Mattis reiterated that provocations by North Korea, which is advancing its nuclear weapons and missile programmes, as well as China’s growing assertiveness in the South and East China Seas, left no room for doubt about US commitment to Japan’s defence.

That was similar to the message that Mattis — making his first overseas trip since taking office — delivered in South Korea, Washington’s other key Asian ally, earlier in the week."

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http://gulfnews.com/news/americas/usa/mattis-reaffirms-us-alliance-with-japan-for-years-to-come-1.1973073