Panetta Calls Japan

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta today called Japanese Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka to discuss developments related to North Korea's announcement that it plans to conduct a missile launch in mid-April, according to Pentagon Press Secretary George Little.

"Secretary Panetta and Defense Minister Tanaka reiterated their view that such a missile launch would directly violate North Korea's international obligations and U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874," Little said in a statement. "They also affirmed the importance of the U.S.-Japan Alliance in defense of Japan and in contributing to regional peace and security. Both leaders agreed to continue close contact leading up to and following a potential missile launch."

During March 30 remarks aboard the amphibious ship Peleliu (LHA-5), Panetta cited the potential missile launch. "In North Korea they're threatening to fire a missile and they've done this before," he said. "We thought we were in a period of accommodation with them. Now it looks like we're in a period of provocation with the Koreans -- North Koreans. And so you never quite know."