Japan wants cooperative role in regional security

Japan told an annual security summit Saturday that it aimed to play a cooperative role in regional maritime disputes. \"A strong Japan will play a responsible role in the area of regional security and exercise strong leadership as expected by the international community,\" Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told the meeting in Singapore. He stressed the importance of avoiding tensions in the region \"not by violence but through dialogue,\" adding that Tokyo would promote regional cooperation. \"These efforts are crucial in the pursuit of our national interest which is to maintain and strengthen international order based on fundamental values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law,\" Onodera was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.