Pentagon chief, Japanese FM mull North Korea, Ukraine and China

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who is visiting the country.

Report informs, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, that some international issues related to North Korea, Ukraine, and China were discussed at the meeting.

"The parties discussed the tense situation in the region, including the increasing nuclear and missile activities of North Korea, as well as the aforementioned country's launch of a 'military intelligence satellite' using ballistic missile technology yesterday, Russia's aggression against Ukraine, China's attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force, at the same time, they discussed the strengthening of military coordination between China and Russia near Japan," MFA said.

Austin reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the United States to a free and open Indo-Pacific and to the development of strategic cooperation with Japan.