The United States' top diplomat on Thursday reassured key Asian allies that Washington stands with them in the face of the accelerating missile threat from North Korea. 


Secretary of State Rex Tillerson began his first Asian tour in Tokyo and held talks with Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida before a scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. 


President Donald Trump had caused consternation during his White House campaign by suggesting US allies Japan and South Korea need to do more to defend themselves, but since taking office has been careful to offer complete support. 


Tillerson, the former oilman Trump chosen to head his diplomatic team, reiterated that message. 


"The US Japan alliance remains the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region," Tillerson told his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida at the start of their meeting. 


But he also stressed the importance of three-way cooperation with South Korea, calling it "critical in particular as we address North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missiles programmes". 


Kishida, meanwhile, thanked Tillerson for US backing. 


"I highly value the fact that you chose Japan as your first place to visit in Asia," he said, adding that it indicates the "importance" the US attaches to the relationship. 


Tillerson travels to South Korea on Friday, before heading to China on Saturday. 


There, he will urge his hosts to pressure Kim Jong-Un's regime to halt Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs before committing to eventual peace talks

Source: NNA