Japan PM Suga on US alliance ahead of Pompeo meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday said he has been "gaining confidence" on his diplomacy since taking over as premier and emphasized significance of his country's alliance with US.

Suga's comments come ahe of a meeting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as well as talks between four Indo-Pacific nations in Tokyo this week.

"Based on core effective alliance between Japan and US, we need to develop measures and protect national interest of Japan," he said during a press conference in Tokyo.

Tuesday will be Suga's in-person diplomatic debut with foreign ministers from four Indo-Pacific nations kwn as Qu group.

ministers are to discuss ir response to coronavirus pandemic, as well as "free and open Indo-Pacific" concept of security and ecomic cooperation that Japan and US have been pushing to bring toger countries who share concerns about China's growing assertiveness and influence in region.

Suga succeeded Japan's long-serving leer Shinzo Abe, who stepped down due to health concerns, last month.

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