U.S., Japan warn of 'increasingly deteriorating' security situation in Asia

The U.S. and Japan issued a joint statement on Sunday describing the security situation in Asia. The statement highlighted an "extended deterrence policy" aimed at Russia, China, and North Korea amid "an increasingly deteriorating regional security environment."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued the statement in concert with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Yōko Kamikawa.

The trio "highlighted the steady progress in strengthening this coordination and deepening discussions on extended deterrence" and "shared assessments of an increasingly deteriorating regional security environment."

Factors causing the deterioration "includ[ed] North Korea’s continued destabilizing behavior and sustained pursuit of its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs, China’s accelerating and opaque expansion of its nuclear arsenal, and Russia’s undermining of arms control and the global nonproliferation regime, including through its expanding military cooperation and unlawful arms transfers with North Korea."

The trio "reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to close consultations on U.S. nuclear policy."