U.S., Japan Share Concern Over North Korea, China

In a meeting in Tokyo, Japanese and U.S. officials reaffirmed their commitment to the denuclearization of North Korea and expressed concerns over China's increasing influence in the region. Blinken and Austin are set to visit South Korea, where discussions will again focus on North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

What collaborative effort did the two countries reaffirm?

What is the significance of North Korea in the discussions?