US, Japan vow to strengthen alliance

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The US Assistant Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, has met with Japan's new foreign minister, Katsuya Okada. They were reported as discussing issues concerning their alliance.

While there is no set agenda for the trip, there is the possibility that the issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will come up.

Campbell said he plans to deal with whatever issues may face the Japan-US alliance.

Kurt Campbell, US Assistant Secretary of State, said, "I'm very pleased to be here in Japan, as part of an effort over the next several weeks and months to make sure we're as closely coordinated as possible on all the issues that confront the United States and Japan in the 21st century."

Okada pledged to work towards strengthening the alliance in the future.

Katsuya Okada, Japanese FM, said, "The Japan-US relationship has challenges ahead. But in order to allow the alliance to deepen and continue for the next 30-50 years, I hope to commit myself fully as Foreign Minister toward that goal."

The trip comes as South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Mung-Hwan said his country is the prime target of the DPRK's nuclear activities.

The United States has said it is prepared to hold direct talks to try to bring the DPRK back to the six-way negotiations.