新ミサイル防衛、日米で連携　防衛相、在日米軍司令官と会談

　河野太郎防衛相は２２日、米軍横田基地（東京都福生市など）を訪れ、シュナイダー在日米軍司令官と会談した。日本政府が陸上配備型迎撃ミサイルシステム「イージス・アショア」の導入を断念したことを踏まえ、新たなミサイル防衛網の構築に向け日米が連携していくことで一致した。（2020/08/22-15:52）

Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono and Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider, commander of U.S. Forces Japan, agreed Saturday that both sides will continue to cooperate to build a new missile defense system for Japan.
   The accord came after the Japanese government earlier this year scrapped a plan to introduce the Aegis Ashore land-based missile intercept system.
   "North Korean missiles remain an undeniable threat," Kono told reporters after the meeting with Schneider at U.S. Yokota Air Base in a Tokyo suburb. "We'll fully consider (an alternative missile defense system), including at the National Security Council," he said.
   During the meeting, Kono and Schneider also confirmed cooperation between Japanese and U.S. defense authorities in responding to the coronavirus epidemic.
   They are also believed to have had talks on Chinese activities in the East China Sea, including waters around the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands.