The defense chiefs of Japan and the United States have reiterated a need to maintain a strong alliance, under the incoming US administration.

Japan's Defense Minister Tomomi Inada said in Tokyo that Japan wants to reinforce and deepen military ties. Her US counterpart Ashton Carter emphasized how the alliance provides many benefits to both countries.

Both chiefs also agreed to continue talks to complete additional deals to the bilateral Status of Forces Agreement. This aims to effectively narrow the scope of the US military, and tackle crimes committed by US military base personnel in Japan. For more details, Terrence Terashima reports from Tokyo.