Japan's leader vows to boost nation's role in US alliance

The great grandson Merrill Eisenhower Atwater (left) and granddaughter Mary Jean Eisenhower (centre) of former US President Dwight Eisenhower, and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe taking part in the 60th anniversary commemorative reception of the signing of the Japan-US security treaty at Iikura Guesthouse in Tokyo on Sunday (Jan19). - AP

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged on Sunday (Jan 19) to bolster his country's role under its security pact with the US in "outer space and cyberspace,” as the allies marked the 60th anniversary of a treaty that has been the basis for their postwar defence alliance.

Abe's grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, who was prime minister at the time, signed the treaty in Washington on Jan 19, 1960, with President Dwight Eisenhower.