Japan extends US military support amid China, N.Korea 'challenges'

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin meeting virtually with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi on Jan. 6, 2022, from Washington. - AP

WASHINGTON (AFP): Japan moved ahead with an expansion of support to US troops as the allies held top-level talks on tensions with China and North Korea.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the two nations were signing a five-year extension of the support package provided by Japan for the hosting of nearly 50,000 US troops on its soil.