Japan, U.S. hold economic “two-plus-two” talks with eye on China

Japan and the United States on Tuesday held “two-plus-two” ministerial talks to discuss economic and diplomatic cooperation in pursuit of deeper economic security amid China’s assertive behavior in the Indo-Pacific region.

The second round of the “two-plus-two” meeting comes as the four ministers -- Japanese foreign chief Yoko Kamikawa and industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, as well as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo -- are in San Francisco for a gathering of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

They are expected to work out the specifics ...