Onodera, Mattis Agree to Cooperate for N. Korea Denuclearization

June 29, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera and visiting U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis agreed on Friday to work together toward the denuclearization of North Korea.

During their meeting at the Defense Ministry's headquarters in Tokyo, Onodera and Mattis confirmed that their countries will work with the international community to have North Korea abandon its weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear arms, and all ballistic missiles it possesses in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

The two reaffirmed that the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea are covered by the Japan-U.S. security treaty's Article 5, which stipulates the United States' obligation to protect territories under Japanese jurisdiction. The islands are claimed by China, which calls them Diaoyu.

Onodera and Mattis shared the view that joint military exercises by the United States and South Korea are vital for stability in the region.

At a joint press conference after the meeting, Mattis said a recent decision to cancel U.S.-South Korea exercises that had been slated for August was made through powerful negotiations by diplomats concerned in order to bring about a peaceful resolution to the Korean Peninsula.

Onodera expressed his understanding, saying that the United States and South Korea made the decision so as to support diplomatic efforts.

Mattis stressed that he recognizes the importance of the issue of Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea decades ago.

It is a humanitarian issue and is always on the agenda in U.S.-Japan discussions.

During the meeting, Onodera called on Mattis to ensure that the U.S. military in Japan carries out its operations safely, after an F-15 fighter jet belonging to the U.S. Kadena base in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa crashed off the prefecture earlier this month.

Later on Friday, Mattis held separate meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Taro Kono.

Abe emphasized that the Japan-U.S. alliance is the cornerstone of not only peace and security of Japan, but also peace, stability and prosperity of the region.

Mattis reassured Abe that the United States stands firmly with Japan for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Prior to his trip to Japan, Mattis visited China and South Korea. Jiji Press