Amid North Korea, China concerns, US reaffirms defense vows to Japan

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States reaffirmed on Tuesday its commitment to defend Japan amid continuing uncertainty about the future of North Korea's nuclear weapons drive and China's rapidly growing military power.

"The United States has the will and the capability to meet the full range of deterrence and security commitments to Japan," said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice after a meeting here of the two allies top diplomats and defense officials.

"Our meeting today demonstrates our commitment and our resolve to ensure that this alliance doesn't just continue, but that it gets stronger," Rice said.

The so-called "two-plus-two" meeting brought together Rice, her Japanese counterpart Taro Aso, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma for annual talks on bilateral and regional security issues.

Since the grouping last met in May 2006, North Korea rattled regional security concerns by testing its ...