World Pence, Abe agree on North Korea sanctions, new trade talks November 13, 2018 Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Comments Off on Pence, Abe agree on North Korea sanctions, new trade talks Pence said the U.S.-Japan alliance is a “cornerstone” of the region’s peace and prosperity and said Japan is not only an ally but a friend, but it needs to do more to reduce the bilateral trade imbalance.