Asian security issues were the main topic Friday as U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell met with Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono.
Japan is the cornerstone of our Asia policy.
Japan is concerned over the growth of China's economic and military power, U.S. officials said, and Friday's discussion focused on the importance of assisting China as a new member of the World Trade Organization. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Powell stressed the importance of policy coordination with Japan and South Korea. Both the U.S. and Japan are encouraged by North Korea's recent openness toward the international community, though concerns linger about the North's missile program and troop presence on the Korean peninsula. State Department officials said that while Japan acknowledged the importance of the U.S. presence in the region as necessary for regional stability, they raised the concern about the situation. He expressed sensitivity of the concerns of the local people and pledged to minimize them.