Defense Minister Taro Kono and U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper agreed, during a recent meeting, to cooperate on building a new missile defense system and expressed concern over China’s maritime advance.

The defense chiefs plan to work together to replace the Aegis Ashore land-based interception system.

At their meeting in Guam on Saturday, Kono explained the circumstances behind the decision to abandon the deployment of Aegis Ashore, as well as the Japanese government’s consideration of alternative measures…

Read the full story here