In Japan, US defense chief reaffirms commitment to defense treaty

By Phil Stewart and Kiyoshi Takenaka
TOKYO, 03 Feb. - (ANA) - U.S. President Donald Trump's defense secretary on Friday reaffirmed America's commitment to its mutual defense treaty with Japan during a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo.

Jim Mattis, who was on his first trip since taking over the Pentagon, appeared eager to reassure Japan of U.S. resolve, after an election campaign that saw Trump question the value of U.S. alliances.

Mattis said provocations from North Korea left no room for doubt about U.S. commitment, a similar message he delivered over the past two days in South Korea. - (ANA) -

AB/ANA/ 03 February 2017 - - -