Joint Chief of Staff of Self-Defense Forces Meets with U.S. Commander During Visit to Japan to Collaborate on Response to North Korea

Chief of the Joint Staff of the Self-Defense Forces, Yamazaki, held a meeting at the Ministry of Defense at around 10:00 am on the 4th with Commander Aquilino, the top commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, who is visiting Japan.

In it, Chief of the Joint Staff Yamazaki stated that North Korea's ballistic missile launch is a serious challenge to the international community, including Japan, and a grave and imminent threat to Japan. I want to do it,' he said.

On the other hand, Commander Aquilino said, "Since this morning, I have been talking with Chief of Staff Yamazaki on the phone about various things. Regarding North Korea's missile launch, we have been trying to communicate firmly each time. We strongly condemn the launch as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and a destabilizing effect on the region."