U.S. should send strong message in response to North Korea's nuclear test: Japan

Katsuyuki Kawai, Special Advisor for Foreign Affairs to Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on 5 September condemned the nuclear test conducted by North Korea on Sunday and dubbed it as 'unacceptable and unpardonable.'

Addresssing a session of 'Think Tank' in Delhi, Kawai said that the nuclear test conducted by North Korea is a destabilising development.

"The nuclear test by North Korea is totally unacceptable and unpardonable. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by North Korea is a destabilising development," he said.

He further called upon the United States to stop initiating a dialogue in the matter and send a strong message to North Korea.

"We want to give a message to the U.S. that it is not the time for a dialogue, but a time to send a strong message now," he added.

He further said that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is taking advantage of Chinese President Xi Jinping, avoiding any crisis before the the Communist Party Congress.

"The time has already arrived for the Japanese Defence Forces (JDF) possessing the IRBMs (Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles)," he added.

Kawai further called upon Japan, the U.S. and India to deepen cooperation through peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.

Speaking on the withdrawal of Doklam stand-off between India and China, Kawai said Japan welcomes the disengagement of the two armies.

"Japan is confronted with China's expansionist behaviour everyday," he added.

-ANI