US-Japan talks focus on boosting military ties

TOKYO, July 28 (AP): Japanese and U.S. defense chiefs and top diplomats held talks in Tokyo on Sunday on further bolstering their military cooperation, including by upgrading the command and control of U.S. forces and strengthening American-licensed missile production in Japan, amid a rising threat from China.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin joined their Japanese counterparts, Yoko Kamikawa and Minoru Kihara, at the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee, known as "2+2" security talks, to reaffirm their alliance following President Joe Biden 's withdrawal from the November presidential race.

"We are at a turning point in history as the rules-based, free and open international order is shaken to the core," Kamikawa said. "Now is a critical phase when our decision today determines our future."