US navy chief Admiral Jonathan Greenert urges greater ties with Japan

The top officer of the US navy said he hoped to see further collaboration with Japan's military on ballistic missile defence and minesweeping under Tokyo's new security policy.

Admiral Jonathan Greenert laid out his vision for expanded US-Japan defence cooperation at a think tank event in Washington.

His comments came in the wake of Japan's July decision to legalise the use of the right to collective self-defence by changing the interpretation of the warrenouncing constitution, a move which could allow Japan to play a more active role in international security matters. Critics fear it represents a step towards militarism.

Greenert said Japan's current missile interception technology and operational prowess would "fit in well" with US capabilities in the face of the regional and international threat posed by North Korea's development of ballistic missiles.

He added that he envisioned an expanded role for Japan in the area of countermine measures, especially in the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf where both nations have trade interests.