Expressing concern over the current situation in Korean Peninsula, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has said the Pentagon is ready for any contingency in the region.
Hagel was speaking at a joint news conference with the visiting Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera.
"We have said we are working with our allies to be prepared for any contingency. But I would again call upon the North Korean government to take the path of peace. There is an effective, wise course of action to enhance their people and nation, and they should take advantage of that," Hagel said.
"Our capabilities, with our allies in the region, to deal with provocations, as we have said before, is one that gives us a strong set of preparations, which we are prepared for any contingency," he said.
The current situation in the Korean Peninsula in view of the provocative actions from Pyongyang was one of the major topics of discussion during the meeting of Japanese and US defence ministers.
Hagel also cautioned China from any "misadventure" on the Senkaku Island, stating that the US recognises administrative control of Japan over the disputed territory and falls under its security treaty obligation with Tokyo.
Responding to a question through interpretation, Onodera said, "We have analysed the information that we have gathered, and we have been sharing it between our two countries."
"But as far as I know, for the time being, I have not received any information that would allow us to level down our level of the patrol against North Korea," Onodera said.
Noting that the most obvious threat to stability in the region is the provocative behaviour of North Korea, Hagel said the two defence ministers agreed that continued close coordination between US and Japanese forces will be essential for monitoring and responding to any further provocations, particularly cooperation on missile defence.
"Today, we made progress on plans to deploy a second TPY-2 radar to Japan, which will help protect both of our nations from the threat of North Korean ballistic missiles.
The US remains steadfast in our defence commitments to Japan, including extended deterrence and a further nuclear umbrella," he said.
On the issue of Senkaku Island, Hagel said "the US does not take a position on the ultimate sovereignty of the islands, but we do recognise they are under the administration of Japan and fall under our security treaty obligations.
