U.S., Japan to modernize alliance to counter 21st century threats

TOKYO (Reuters) - The United States and Japan agreed on Thursday to modernize their defence alliance for the first time in 16 years to address growing concerns about North Korea's nuclear program, global terrorism, cyber intrusions and other 21st century threats.

The move to modernize the U.S.-Japanese defence alliance follows President Barack Obama's decision to strategically rebalance U.S. forces to the Asia-Pacific region following a dozen years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan.