Japan in support of US-S. Korea joint drill: Suga

December 4, 2017

Tokyo- Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga on Monday showed his country's support for a regular joint drill by the air forces of the United States and South Korea that started the same day, stressing the necessity of deterrence for regional security.

"For defending our country and ensuring regional peace and security, the strong deterrence provided by the Japan-US alliance and the US-South Korea alliance is necessary," Suga, Japan's top government spokesman, told a press conference.

He added that Japan supports the joint exercise, called Vigilant Ace, which will continue through Friday.

As North Korea has reacted sharply against the drill, Japan will make every effort in warning and surveillance activities as well as on information gathering, Suga also said.

On reported signs that Pyongyang may soon fire a submarine-launched ballistic missile, Suga stopped short of making a clear comment. He said only that the government is collecting and analyzing information about military activities with serious concern as always. Jiji Press