US would defend Japan: Rice

In Japan, Rice said she reiterated President Bush8217;s pledge, made the day of the North Korea8217;s test, 8220;that the US has the will and the capability to meet the full range8212; and I underscore the full range8212; of its deterrent and security commitments to Japan,8217;8217; Rice said following discussions with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso.

Shortly before Rice arrived, Aso said Japan should openly discuss whether it wants to possess nuclear weapons. He told a parliamentary committee the government has no plans to stray from its post-World War II policy of not allowing nuclear bombs on Japanese soil, 8220;But I think it is important to discuss the issue.8221;

With Rice at his side, Aso did not repeat the need for a discussion. 8220;The government is absolutely not considering a need to be armed by nuclear weapons,8221; Aso said. 8220;We do not need to acquire nuclear arms with an assurance by Secretary of State Rice that the bilateral alliance would work without fault.8221; Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has ruled out developing nuclear weapons.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday en route to Japan, Rice said North Korea8217;s recent underground nuclear test 8220;does carry with it the potential for instability in the relationships that now exist in the region.8221;

8220;That8217;s why it8217;s extremely important to go out and to affirm, and affirm strongly, US defence commitments to Japan and to South Korea,8221; she said.

In addition to settling nerves among allies, Rice8217;s Asia trip is meant to reinforce pressure on South Korea and especially China to enforce economic sanctions. Those include what the United States describes as an aggressive inspection and interdiction programme that stops short of a full blockade of North Korean trade.

China8217;s UN Ambassador Wang Guangya said on Tuesday that China would implement the resolution to the degree of inspections, but not interdiction.

8211;ANNE GEARAN