US and Japan rush to deploy missile defence

The United States and Japan today agreed to speed up deployment of a missile defence system in Japan amid growing concerns about the nuclear weapons and missile technologies of North Korea, Kyodo News agency reported.

The agreement came at a meeting of US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice and Japanese foreign minister Taro Aso at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum in Hanoi, Vietnam, Kyodo said.

Both diplomats also agreed to push for tangible outcomes at the upcoming six-party nuclear disarmament talks with North Korea, Kyodo reported from Hanoi.

They will seek a common front on pressuring North Korea to drop its nuclear programme.