Pompeo Hails Japanese PM as "Force for Good"

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, on Tuesday, hailed the new Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga as a "force for good" and said he believed Suga would work to strengthen the relationship between Washington and Tokyo.

During his meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Tokyo, Pompeo said he agreed with Suga that the freedom and openness of the Indian and Pacific Oceans are the basis of regional peace and stability.

Pompeo is in Japan to participate in a meeting of foreign ministers of the Quad grouping of nations: the United States, Australia, India and Japan.

On the other hand, Australian Foreign Minister Maris Payne, who met Pompeo earlier Tuesday, said on Twitter that she had spoken with him about "our continued cooperation to promote peace, stability and prosperity in our region."