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| Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono (Image: Wiki Commons) |
TOKYO (AP) -- Japan's new foreign minister is a reputed renegade, famous for bashing his ruling party's policies with stands against nuclear power and for stricter checks on foreign aid.
Taro Kono, appointed earlier this month, said he won't abandon his pet issues, but will make sure to send a united message when representing his country to the outside world.
In comments to reporters Tuesday at the Foreign Ministry, Kono was the mark of diplomacy when referring to Japan's relations with the U.S., its most important ally.
He said he saw no divisions or confusion in the administration of President Donald Trump in his recent talks with officials including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Ambassador to Japan William Hagerty.
"Things have never been easier," he said. "We can have solid talks."
When asked about how some observers found Washington divided and confusing, Kono acknowledged that some changes were inevitable simply because Trump is a Republican, unlike his predecessor, Barack Obama.
But he said the basics of Japan's relationship with the U.S. have remained the same, and such solidarity was important given the crisis over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
Read the full story at The Mainichi