U.S. welcomes Japan's push to bolster military defense capabilities

The United States has reiterated its support for Tokyo's efforts to bolster its military defense capabilities.
Washington also announced plans to send two more ballistic missile destroyers to Japan by the year 2017 to help Japan counter North Korean threats... and stand up to a more assertive China.
Our Yoo Li-an has the details.
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push for collective self-defense by altering Tokyo's war-renouncing constitution.
Speaking at a joint news conference with his Japanese counterpart in Tokyo on Sunday,... Hagel said Japan was playing a proactive role in contributing to global and regional peace and stability.
In addition,.. Hagel announced plans to send two advanced destroyers,.. equipped with ballistic missile defense systems to Japan,... in the face of a more threatening North Korea.

"In response to Pyongyang's pattern of provocative and destabilizing actions, including recent missile launches and violations of recent U.N. security council resolutions..."

The announcement comes a matter of days after Pyongyang test-fired two mid-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea,.. following a series of shorter-range missiles in recent weeks.

"For the safety of Japan and of eastern Asia, we believe that Japan's Aegis system and the United States' Aegis system is very effective.

The extra ships will bring the total number of U.S. Aegis destroyers deployed in Japan to seven.
Hagel also sent a message to China,... saying it should respect its neighbors, adding that coercion and intimidation will only lead to conflict.
Hagel will be traveling to China starting Monday .. to talk to Beijing about its use of military power and encourage transparency.
China has been bolstering its military while becoming more assertive in its territorial disputes with Japan in recent months.
Yoo Li-an, Arirang News.