Rice, Aso to push for swift implementation of sanctions on North Kirea

Japan and the United States will work together for swift and effective implementation of a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for sanctions on North Korea, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday. Rice said at a press conference after meeting Foreign Minister Taro Aso that she reaffirmed to her Japanese counterpart "the firm commitment of the United States to the defense of Japan."

Aso said that he and Rice agreed to call on other countries for implementation of the resolution. The two also agreed to urge North Korea to return unconditionally to the stalled six-party talks on its nuclear development, the Japanese foreign minister said.