US-Japan alliance cornerstone of peace in Asia Pacific: Pence

The alliance between the US and Japan remains the cornerstone of peace, prosperity and freedom in the Asia Pacific region and the two countries will stand together to confront any threats posed by North Korea, American Vice President Mike Pence has said.
Pence said US President Donald Trump was committed to expanding the bonds of trade and commerce between the two countries.
"In this time of challenge and widening threats in the region, the US-Japan alliance remains the cornerstone of peace, prosperity, and freedom in the Asia-Pacific," Pence, 58, said at the swearing in ceremony of US Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty yesterday.

"The United States and Japan stand together resolutely to confront whatever threats are posed to us, especially those posed by the regime in North Korea - and we always will," he said in his remarks at the India Treaty Rook of the White House Complex.
Hagerty, a Tennessee businessman, was director of presidential appointments for Trump's transition team.
Pence said Hagerty's appointment demonstrated that the US was "firmly committed" to its alliance with Japan.
"As President Trump said when he met with (Japanese) Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe earlier this year, in his words, the 'vibrant exchange between us is truly a blessing' - and so it is," he said.

"Through the US-Japan Economic Dialogue, which the President had me launch during my visit in April, our nations have been working tirelessly to deepen our bilateral economic ties even further, and we look forward to working with you to advance that effort," Pence said.