Bolster US-Japan alliance to deter North Korea

In Washington, the Japanese and US governments held a Security Consultative Committee meeting, known as two-plus-two security talks, comprising their foreign and defense chiefs. They issued a joint statement strongly condemning Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile development and vowed to bolster the alliance to deter it.
North Korea has threatened to fire four ballistic missiles, which would fly over Japan, near the US territory of Guam.
US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis clearly said at a press conference, “In the event of a missile launch towards the territory of Japan, Guam, United States, Korea, we would take immediate, specific actions to take it down.” 
The ministers’ joint statement reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the security of Japan, including the provision of the so-called nuclear umbrella. This could be a warning to Pyongyang.
North Korea said it would watch the conduct of the United States a little more, and some observers say Pyongyang will defer on its plan to fire the missiles. However, both Japan and the United States must take every possible measure to prepare for unforeseen circumstances.
For the time being, it is crucial to fully implement the UN Security Council’s sanctions resolutions against North Korea, including a total ban on coal exports. It stands to reason that Japan and the United States have encouraged China to take “decisive measures to urge North Korea to change its course of action”.
The joint statement also seeks a review of the division of roles between the Self-Defence Forces (SDF) and the US military. A greater role for the SDF would enhance the effectiveness of the Japan-US alliance and contribute to stability in Asia. It is vital to work on the matter proactively.
The SDF’s surveillance aircraft and submarines are said to be some of the best performing in the world. The SDF should increase joint warning and surveillance activities with the US military, mainly in the East China Sea.
The two countries also agreed to pursue “additional types of cooperation” under Japan’s security-related laws. Expanding cooperation with the US military through, for example, actively increasing SDF vessels’ guarding of US military ships would likely reinforce Japan’s defences.
Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera has informed the US side of Japan’s intention to introduce a land-based Aegis missile interception system with a similar capability to an Aegis-equipped vessel.
If the system is introduced, the nation will be able to make effective and more flexible use of the Aegis vessels that are currently deployed in the Sea of Japan and on round-the-clock alert for missiles. This plan must be advanced steadily.
In light of China’s aggressive maritime advances, the joint statement reaffirmed that Article 5 of the Japan-US Security Treaty applies to the Senkaku Islands.
Foreign Minister Taro Kono has announced that Japan will extend US$500 million (Bt16.6 billion) in aid to Southeast Asian countries to build up their maritime security capabilities with eyes on Beijing’s high-handed activities in the South China Sea. Japan should pursue a maritime order in line with international law by cooperating with countries through such steady aid.