Japan's foreign ministry: US ready to defend Tokyo by all means, including nuclear

The United States will continue to defend Japan, using its entire defense potential, including nuclear deterrence forces.

This is stated in a joint statement by the parties following the Japanese-American extended dialogue on deterrence issues held in Tokyo.

"The United States confirmed its commitment to the defense of Japan, using its entire defense potential, including nuclear," the statement from Japan's Foreign Ministry, which was made available to TASS, says. The document notes that Japan, in turn, confirmed its support for American troops and "the operations they conduct to maintain peace." It is emphasized that the parties also discussed efforts to modernize and adapt American nuclear forces, as well as Japan's defense policy against the backdrop of the "growing regional nuclear threat."

At the same time, Japan also called on the United States to intensify international dialogue aimed at preventing a nuclear arms race, including dialogue on arms control with China and Russia. The parties also once again criticized Pyongyang's nuclear program and advocated for the "complete denuclearization" of the DPRK.