US diplomat Stilwell keen to discuss Iran, North Korea with Japan officials

The top US diplomat for East Asia said he was looking forward to talking with Japanese officials about subjects including Iran and North Korea, in his first trip to the region since taking up his post last month.

Stilwell’s post had been vacant for more than two years despite major challenges in the region including North Korea’s nuclear program and the US-China trade war.

He is scheduled to meet senior Japanese diplomatic and defense officials through Sunday to coordinate on global issues and deepen the US-Japan alliance, before traveling on to the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand.