Japan's National Security Director Meets with US Secretary of State and Security Advisor: "Trilateral Cooperation on North Korean Nuclear Issue"

Japan's National Security Director Makes First Visit to the U.S. Since Inauguration

Takeo Akiba, Director of Japan National Security Secretariat (NSS)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Takeo Akiba, Director of Japan's National Security Secretariat (NSS), who took office last month, met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the U.S. Department of State on the 9th (local time) to discuss bilateral issues including the Taiwan Strait situation.

According to Kyodo News, Akiba, who visited the U.S. for the first time since his appointment, reaffirmed the importance of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan to address "various challenges existing in the 21st century," including North Korea's denuclearization, during his meeting with Secretary Blinken.

Furthermore, Akiba and Blinken agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and exchanged views on the situation in the East China Sea, where China's maritime activities are increasingly active.

Tony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

At this meeting, Akiba particularly emphasized opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo around the East China Sea, targeting China's territorial claims over the Senkaku Islands (Chinese name Diaoyutai Islands), which belong to Okinawa Prefecture.

Akiba also met with Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor at the White House, who is his American counterpart.

During the meeting with Advisor Sullivan, Akiba stressed the importance of close communication between Japan's National Security Secretariat and the U.S. National Security Council.

Kyodo News, citing statements from the U.S. Department of State and the Embassy of Japan in the U.S., reported that Akiba reaffirmed his intention to cooperate with the U.S. on bilateral issues of mutual interest, including the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.